Posted by bozeman on February 17, 2003, at 19:03:09
In reply to Hypothyroidism, posted by FredPotter on February 17, 2003, at 16:03:53
> So long as blood tests show TSH and T4 to be within the lab's normal range, most doctors, including mine, will not consider further testing. However low thyroid function can still be the culprit of your depression, or so I've read. My doc's not having a bar of it however.
>
> I take my under-arm (basal) temperature every morning and if on average it's below 36.5 deg C then hyperthyroidism is likely. Sure enough mine is.
>
> The reasoning is like that of insulin resistance in type II diabetes, One wouldn't dream of measuring the insulin level in the blood (it may be higher than normal of course), but the glucose level. In the same way we shouldn't just measure T4 and TSH as we may be thyroxin resistant.
>
> Any thoughts?You're describing me. Basal temperature low, blood levels "normal", albeit low normal. Fortunately my doc is one of the younger and more "liberal" variety who believes in the "thyroxin resistance, insulin resistance etc." school of thought. I have the Wilson's Syndrome variety, apparently, and supplemental natural T3 as stated in the following article made all the difference in the world!. See below:
http://www.stenlake.com.au/showdocumentpf.asp?DocumentID=134
A couple of brief quotes from this article:
In the thyroid the ratio of T4 to T3 is 75% T4 to 25% T3.
T4 is converted to T3 in the thyroid and other tissues in the body.
"T3 is the active form of all cells and tissues and is more essential than T4. Hypothyroid appears when T4 is not converting to T3. In hypothyroid the symptoms appear even though there is an excess of T4 and normal TSH."
" . . .quite often hypothyroidism goes undiagnosed as the symptoms although profound to the individual are vague and are often ignored, particularly so if the blood tests come back normal. This is where integrated medicine is essential, as the doctor must look further the diagnostic blood levels. Symptoms of low thyroid function must be used as a diagnostic tool. Not only must T4 levels be taken but also TSH, for this alone may indicate subclinical hypothyroidism. "
"WILSONS SYNDROME Although the lab results appear normal the patient exhibits many hypothyroid symptoms. Wilsons syndrome is due to slowing of metabolism which is characterised by low body temperature, but with thyroid blood tests that seem in the normal range.
Causes: A lack of enzyme that converts T4 to T3. The decrease in T3 in the organ causes a slowing of the metabolism reflected by the drop in temperature.
Treatment: Gradual and decreasing doses of time released natural T3.
Based on individual patient requirements combinations of T4 and T3 may be compounded."Be sure to check out the list of symptoms at this site. Sound familiar? http://www.orthomed.com/wilsons.htm
E. Denis Wilson, M.D. "Wilson's Syndrome: The Miracle of Feeling Well", Cornerstone Publishing Company, Orlando, FL. Third Edition, 1996.
Maybe if you can collate some "documentation" from other respected MD's your doc will take this seriously. Good luck, and I hope this helps.
bozeman
poster:bozeman
thread:201219
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030214/msgs/201254.html