PATIENTS' PETITION FOR BETTER DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF THYROID AND THYROID RELATED PROBLEMS

Some of the background to this thyroid mess is a lack of proper definition of the word 'hypothyroidism'. When a patient is suffering symptoms, more than likely they do have (in the proper sense of the word) 'hypothyroidism' i.e. 'deficient secretion of hormone by the thyroid gland' and is usually treated successfully with synthetic thyroxine (T4).

But what endocrinology is failing to recognise are those who have similar symptoms, with normal thyroid function test results and who are suffering from failure of peripheral utilisation of thyroid hormone. These patients need a different diagnosis and a different thyroid hormone therapy, i.e. a combination of synthetic T4 and tri-iodothyronine (T3), T3 or natural desiccated thyroid extract (NDT) should be considered. (NDT was the only treatment for all sufferers of hypothyroid symptoms, prior to the introduction of synthetic T4–only therapy). Many patients using a T3 containing product are reporting a resolution of all the problems encountered whilst on T4-only.

This has been known about for half a century, yet endocrinology refuses to acknowledge it. Consequently, around 250,000 citizens in the UK alone (potentially millions world wide) are misdiagnosed and mis-treated.

Our experience and clinical presentation of the failure of T4-only therapy to relieve our symptoms for all sufferers has been repeatedly dismissed or ignored by doctors, who often attribute our continuing symptoms to a "somatoform disorder".

We recommend the following safety guidelines where the combination of synthetic T4/T3 or NDT are used, and in the following order:

1. -to screen patients with thyroid deficiency for low adrenal reserve (adrenal fatigue), a condition that may be more common than generally expected. Patients with weak adrenals may have difficulty tolerating the dose of thyroid hormone they need, and may experience "hyperthyroid" symptoms, even at low doses. In other patients with adrenal fatigue the problem may be the opposite: the patient may remain hypothyroid even at higher doses of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones can not be normally used by the cells and may instead build up too high in serum, leading doctor and patient to believe that a particular dose is too high and that the treatment doesn't work. The solution to both problems is to treat adrenal fatigue, prior to thyroid therapy, or simultaneously.

2. -to use the following laboratory tests as a guide in the assessment and treatment of those with hypothyroid symptoms: TSH, free T4, free T3, TPO and Tg Antibodies.

3. -to start the combination therapy at a safe low dose of synthetic T4/T3 or, if NDT is prescribed, familiarise themselves with the effects of combined therapy and prescribe a safe dose, e.g. 15mgs of NDT for patients with adrenal fatigue, or 30 to 60mgs otherwise, and to adjust the dose according to our clinical needs.

4. -to listen and give more credence to patients’ subjective reports of symptom continuance or resolution, rather than make laboratory results the sole guide in dosing.

We advocate that medical practitioners should have freedom of choice in prescribing T4 alone, combined synthetic T4/T3, T3 or NDT, without incurring the wrath of the mainstream establishment.

In conclusion, we strongly recommend that the selection of treatment, whether by synthetic or natural preparations, should be a matter for the patient and the doctor together, both having freedom of choice in this matter.