Re: Thyroid in the news

[Guest guest]

Thyroid disorders

'misdiagnosed' according to the BTA

Their statement in blue, my comments in black.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7965417.stm

" People with

suspected thyroid disorders are being mistreated and misinformed, experts have

warned. "

YOU

CAN SAY THAT AGAIN!! - it is these so called 'experts' who are responsible for

such mistreatment because the are 'misinformed'

" British Thyroid

Association doctors say some people are being given the wrong tests and the

wrong treatment. "

Pardon

me! The BTA state that only a TSH is required, with a measure of T4'. What

about free T3 and tests to see if the patient is suffering from non-thyroid

disease caused by 'Type 2 hypothyroidism' or 'euthyroid hypometabolism' where

the active thyroid hormone is unable to be properly utilised at cellular level.

The BTA refuse to allow those suffering a CHOICE of treatment, and will

prescribe ONLY levothyroxine. The body doesn't need T4 - it needs T3.

" NHS doctors abide by

expert guidelines - but the BTA says the problem comes when patients go outside

the NHS. "

The

Department of Health makes it categorically clear that a doctor can use

whatever guidelines he chooses, from wherever in the world they come from, so

long as s/he can give good cause for using the specific guideline they s/he has

chosen.

" Around 3% of the UK

population has an underactive thyroid, which should be diagnosed with a blood

test and treated with a synthetic hormone. "

Where

on earth did they pluck 3% from. The more realistic figure is 25%.

" It can be confusing

for patients "

Er!

You ain't wrong there mate!

Professor

Trainer, Society for Endocrinology

" An under-active

thyroid, or hypothyroidism, develops when the thyroid gland produces too little

thyroxine, and it is becoming more prevalent because of the ageing population. "

OK

- so we will all accept your definition Professor Trainer, which I would now

recommend you now pass this on to every doctor so THEY all know what it means

too. " Hypothyroidism

develops when the thyroid gland produces too little thyroxine " . Great

- so quite simply and correctly, we replace the thyroxine the thyroid gland is

not secreting with synthetic thyroxine. Right? OK!

Now

that the real DEFINITION of 'hypothyroidism' has been clarified - will you now

please tell us how doctors go about the business of identifying non-thyroidal

disease, for those suffering the symptoms of hypothyroidism and who have a

normally functioning thyroid gland, yet who are suffering with peripheral

thyroid hormone reception and thyroid hormone resistance at cellular level?

"

Symptoms can include being

very tired, feeling the cold, having difficulties with memory or concentration,

weight gain and fertility problems. "

and

more and more and more….

" These are symptoms

that can mimic other conditions, and experts warn an incorrect diagnosis could

mean some patients could suffer harmful effects from excess thyroid hormones,

while other serious conditions may go undiagnosed. "

Yes,

that's what I have said above, but what are you doing to identify what these

conditions are. Most certainly, your serum thyroid function tests are useless

and CANNOT identify these peripheral thyroid hormone resistance at cellular

level. These patients are suffering with harmful effects because you are

refusing to identify such a condition and refusing to give them the active thyroid

hormone T3 that is the ONLY medication for peripheral thyroid hormone

resistance.

" The Royal College of

Physicians (RCP) recently set out guidance for how hypothyroidism should be

diagnosed and treated in the UK. "

…and herein lies the

problem!

" It says the only

accurate way to diagnose a thyroid disorder is via a blood test which measures

hormone levels, and the only scientifically proven way of treating the

condition is by topping up a patient's natural thyroxine levels with a

synthetic form of the hormone. "

Again,

this is ONLY diagnosing and treating 'Hypothyroidism' (see definition given by the

Prof above) - it is of no help to those patients suffering with peripheral

thyroid hormone resistance by " topping up a patient's natural thyroxine

levels with a synthetic form of the hormone " . Thyroxine (T4) is NOT the

active thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3). These sufferers need T3 and NOT

T4.

" But the BTA warns

that information on the web and in the media about alternative ways of

diagnosing and treating the condition are leading people to turn to alternative

methods of diagnosis and treatments. "

Hmmm!

which again begs the question from me to you Professor Trainer. What

alternative diagnostics do you recommend to reach a diagnosis of non-thyroidal

disease and what thyroid hormone replacement do you recommend for those suffering

peripheral thyroid hormone resistance, who have normally functioning thyroid

gland?

" It says urine tests,

saliva tests and measuring body temperature are not reliable ways of diagnosing

the condition. "

Well - we

have found that TSH and a measure of free T4 are not reliable ways of

diagnosing non-thyroidal conditions. If your definition of

'Hypothyroidism' is correct, this can, as mentioned above, hopefully, be

treated with levothyroxine sodium-only. But then the 'non-thyroidal' conditions

of those suffering symptoms of hypothyroidism should not be called ‘hypothyroidism’

too - should they?. The diagnosis in such cases should be ‘Clinical

Euthyroidism’, ‘Type 2 Hypothyroidism’ or ‘Euthyroid

Hypometabolism’. Peripheral thyroid hormone deficiencies would then be

treated with the active thyroid hormone replacement T3 – NOT T4.

Confusion

" Dr Amit Allahabadia,

the secretary of the BTA who wrote the editorial, said: " This is

potentially an enormous problem, given that in any one year, one in four people

in the United Kingdom have their thyroid function checked. "

But very few

of these people are actually diagnosed properly. The BTA have widened the

TSH reference interval so far that they have made sure that very few people will

now be able to get a proper diagnosis - and for those that do, they are

prescribed a prohormone, with little or no activity in the body that has to

convert to the active thyroid hormone T3 - but then, the BTA have virtually

banned T3. It appears that, to avoid suggesting T3 is needed, the diagnostics

recommended for 'Hypothyroidism' (see definition above) focus, as stated above,

only on the thyroid gland. When these symptoms continue, because they come from

elsewhere, i.e. peripheral thyroid hormone deficiencies at cellular level, they

are not treated by medicine. Instead, if a patient continues to complain of the

symptoms of hypothyroidism, and has ‘normal’ thyroid function test

results, s/he is told by an ex President of the BTA that “you are

suffering from a functional somatoform disorder” or “your symptoms

are non-specific” or “it’s old age”.

" He added: " I

think it is essentially doctors who are outside the NHS [who] may be

misdiagnosing the condition.

" Patients may go to

see them when they think they have an under-active thyroid, or when tests have

shown they have normal hormone levels but they still feel ill. "

No

- patients go to see such doctors outside of the NHS because the NHS doctors

have TOTALLY failed to make them well again. Such patients don't

" think " they have an under-active thyroid, more often than not, they

KNOW, because they are suffering the symptoms. Whether these symptoms are

caused because their thyroid gland is not secreting sufficient thyroid hormone,

or whether they are suffering with peripheral thyroid hormone resistance, this

they need to know, and this is why they are being FORCED to seek help from

outside of the NHS.

" Dr Allahabadia said

he believed a " significant minority " of patients were affected,

either directly through misdiagnosis or mistreatment or because they were being

confused by inaccurate information. "

We

have identified about quarter of a million sufferers of the symptoms of

hypothyroidism who are being incorrectly treated with levothyroxine-alone and

who should be taking some form of a T3 hormone replacement product. The NHS are

incorrectly mis-diagnosing such patients and the BTA have give out confusing

and inaccurate information to both doctors and patients for those suffering the

symptoms of hypothyroidism. Doctors are not trained in how to recognise these

conditions if the serum thyroid function tests are within the so called

'normal' reference interval.

" Professor

Trainer, who chairs the clinical committee of the Society for Endocrinology

which represents the specialists who treat thyroid disorders, said: " Our

sympathy has to lie with the patient because there is potentially misleading

information available on the web. "

Ah

- now that's sweet, kind and considerate. However, it is those patients who have

been driven to research for accurate information on the web who are the one's

who are regaining their optimal health once again, enabling them to go back to

work and not having to rely on State Benefits anymore - something the

diagnostic and treatment protocol metered out by the NHS caused in the first

place.

" It can be confusing

for patients, and it can be difficult for GPs when they are confronted with

that information, which is why the RCP guidance was published. "

And now we

have all learned that the RCP guidance is the cause of all the present

confusion, and which are leaving people to suffer so unnecessarily. The RCP, as

a setter of medical standards to improve medical practice through

self-regulation, appears to be " above the law " and a 'closed shop'.

Their standards and quality are seen as implicit rather than explicit, with

government and society trusting them to protect the public so granting the profession

considerable autonomy in the process. And there lies the problem…

Hi

A news article today

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12252813

Nick

[Guest guest]

Sorry to be a pessimist but ..........

if the ideas in this article for screening were implemented (i) Lots of GPs would be getting paid for implementing the screening (ii) Lots of laboratory staff would have lots of extra work (iii) Lots of useless T4 drugs would be sold.

Doctors, laboratory staff and Big Pharma would make a lot of money and most people diagnosed would get a lousy, sub-standard treatment. Many of the people who participate in the screening campaign would be diagnosed as "OK" because the tests carried out on them are meaningless.

In whose interest is such a mass screening?

MacG.

From: Nick Foot <lists@...>thyroid treatment Sent: Mon, 24 January, 2011 11:01:08Subject: Thyroid in the news

HiA news article todayhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12252813Nick

[Guest guest]

Interesting - the same (Moderator deleted doctors name) as the (name deleted by

moderator) Diabetes and Endo clinic at Addenbrookes !!??

Where the 'top - politeness prevents me from using some choice 2 or 3 letter

words' who is apparently high up in BTA?

Who told me that taking Levo (which I was already on) despite TSH in range and

other essential vitamins was a " lifestyle choice " !! And poo pooed anything I

said as he could not see beyond the TSH. Is wasting my time by referring me for

the synacthen test and DEXA bone scan - pretty standard diversionary tactics -

how many of us have been sent for them when we know already it is thyroid

illness or conversion issues causing our ill health. So that eventually it will

have been almost 3 months before I actually sit in his office again for my

results and further conversations about me obviously imagining I have a thyroid

issue!!

Also today when I collected my meds the receptionist (who is on them hersefl and

has just been giving them to me without payment) said I now needed to fill in an

exemption form to get a card and not many months ago the GP was saying that I

would have to pay for them until I get an offcial diagnosis - even by then I

would have been on Levo since last June and was not experiencing any side

effects to suggest that I should not be taking them. So if the T-at at the

hospital will not officially diagnose me - then neither will the GP. I will

then have to write to the GP and Practice Manager and ask for a meeting.

I hate working for the NHS I have never worked for such a f'd up patriachal

organisation in my life and I am not looking forward to when GPs become the

budget holders as my job means that I will have to be beholden to them to

provide social care for older people - and they cannot do that very well

already!!!!

Rant over. I thank you!!!

Stacey

[Guest guest]

I've just been reading in the *Ageless* book and one of the Doctors Suzanne

Sommers interviewed said that 75% of the American population is suffering from

thyroid disease because of poor diagnosing skills and poor medical advice in

general. Now, I think it's more than 80%.

If people don't know how to read results, reference ranges and symptoms, this

all goes undiagnosed. It's ridiculous that so many people suffer for no

reason.......

Pretty much every article I read about thyroid/adrenal problems is wrong because

of lack of info or just plain wrong info. We can only hope that the thryoid

articles bring attention to it so people will seek guidance...which will

eventually bring them to a support group.

Cheers,

JOT

[Guest guest]

The article makes it all sound rather simplictic - as if people who are

undiagnosed are just a little unwell but are able to carry on with normal

activities. Many people are very unwell and live a nightmare. Then when we do

get diagnosed we can still live the nightmare because we are not adequately

treated or bothered about by the NHS

Han

> Hi

>

> A news article today

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I've just started reading "Ageless" by Suzanne Somers as well!Its a good read....esp for lay peopleSent using BlackBerry® from OrangeFrom: "jitterjotter" <jitterjotter@...>Sender: thyroid treatment Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2011 16:50:06 -0000<thyroid treatment >Reply thyroid treatment Subject: Re: Thyroid in the news I've just been reading in the *Ageless* book and one of the Doctors Suzanne Sommers interviewed said that 75% of the American population is suffering from thyroid disease because of poor diagnosing skills and poor medical advice in general. Now, I think it's more than 80%.If people don't know how to read results, reference ranges and symptoms, this all goes undiagnosed. It's ridiculous that so many people suffer for no reason.......Pretty much every article I read about thyroid/adrenal problems is wrong because of lack of info or just plain wrong info. We can only hope that the thryoid articles bring attention to it so people will seek guidance...which will eventually bring them to a support group.Cheers,JOT

[Guest guest]

Oh that's great !!!!

I was at my used bookstore last week and they had it on the shelf for 50 cents

so I picked it up. She does a good job with the DR interviews. This is one book

that I recommend for both men and women because she covers all the issues....All

men and women should think about reading this book.

I like that she has interviewed TS Wiley in this book. Wiley is the best of the

best. She wrote *Sex, Lies and Menopause* and also *Lights Out*.....Every woman

should read Wiley's books because she uses Nature as the backdrop to our health.

She's amazing !!!!!!

Cheers,

JOT

> I've just started reading " Ageless " by Suzanne Somers as well!

>

> Its a good read....esp for lay people

[Guest guest]

And if people were given T3 the labs, doctors and pharma would still make money.

And if sick people were diagnosed OK they would make less money.

it's not a conspiracy

>

> Sorry to be a pessimist but ..........

> if the ideas in this article for screening were implemented (i) Lots of GPs

> would be getting paid for implementing the screening (ii) Lots of laboratory

> staff would have lots of extra work (iii) Lots of useless T4 drugs would be

> sold.

> Doctors, laboratory staff and Big Pharma would make a lot of money and most

> people diagnosed would get a lousy, sub-standard treatment.  Many of the

people

> who participate in the screening campaign would be diagnosed as " OK " because

the

> tests carried out on them are meaningless.

> In whose interest is such a mass screening?

> MacG.

>

[Guest guest]

Who said anything about conspiracy? May be it's just mismanagement. "Why?" is a secondary issue. The principal beneficiairies of a health system should be the sick.Somehow I don't think this is going to happen however much screening goes on.

MacGilchrist

From: Steve <steve@...>thyroid treatment Sent: Tue, 25 January, 2011 9:20:43Subject: Re: Thyroid in the news

And if people were given T3 the labs, doctors and pharma would still make money. And if sick people were diagnosed OK they would make less money.it's not a conspiracy>> Sorry to be a pessimist but ..........> if the ideas in this article for screening were implemented (i) Lots of GPs > would be getting paid for implementing the screening (ii) Lots of laboratory > staff would have lots of extra work (iii) Lots of useless T4 drugs would be > sold.> Doctors, laboratory staff and Big Pharma would make a lot of money and most > people diagnosed would get a lousy, sub-standard treatment. Many of the people > who

participate in the screening campaign would be diagnosed as "OK" because the > tests carried out on them are meaningless.> In whose interest is such a mass screening?> MacG.>

[Guest guest]

It is a conspiracy in that because it is mainly a female problem it is

downgraded in the male - dominated NHS.

I mean by the little things, your GP saying 'pull yourself together', 'thousands

of people cope', 'there is nothing wrong with you, its all in your head', 'you

are getting old', 'that is not a symptom of thyroid problems', 'it must be

something else'.......

I could go on. Haven't we all heard these old adages at some time from the very

person we trust to care for us?

Thyroid problems are considered as nothing compared to diabetes and yet they are

part of the same system and just as important.

If there is mismanagement it is deliberate - not accidental.

Glynis

>

> Who said anything about conspiracy?  May be it's just mismanagement.

[Guest guest]

I used to have a very good hairdresser who came round to the home. He suddenly put up his prices double. I said I could not carry on at those prices and I am sure lots of his customers couldn't. That is OK he said, there are some who can still pay, and that means I get the same money for doing less work.

I think that is what the doctors have got. Lazyitis. Most of the doctors in our surgery are now going part time. They are obviously earning enough money so that they do not have to work full time any more.

They are told TSH only test is needed and it is all very simple. This they wish to believe. It means someone coming with all those symptoms if TSH within range it is not thyroid, so therefore anti depressants will address the symptoms, and if the TSH is very high then thyroxine will address the symptoms. Two minutes surgery time and repeat prescriptions of either thyroxine or antidepressants. Money for nothing.

I wonder how many other illnesses are getting the same treatment. I have a feeling a lot more than just thyroid, it is just that we do not know about them.

I once had a bout of having to keep going to the doctor for various things (in hindsight probably because of under treated thyroid). I said to him that I must be his best patient. He replied their best patients were the ones who never come to the surgery. Naturally they still get paid for them but do not have to do any work

Lilian

If there is mismanagement it is deliberate - not accidental.

[Guest guest]

> I wonder how many other illnesses are getting the same treatment. I have a

feeling a lot more than just thyroid, it is just that we do not know about them.

........

I agree with you Lilian, probably many chronic illnesses. I have investigated

quite a few in my efforts to track down what is wrong with my own health. In

many cases the standard NHS picture of an illness is just a caricature. The

real illness is more complex, and there are more effective ways of managing it.

In many cases the standard treatment makes things worse.

Miriam