3 types of Thyroid Hormone Resistance & FMS

[Guest guest]

I thought I'd share this blog (dedicated to Dr Lowe) as it may help some new members understand the different types of Thyroid Hormone Resistance and its connection with Fibromyalgia. This is something Sheila, Lilian, , Bob and you know who you are, continually explain, but which sometimes gets lost in individual postings...http://outsmartdisease.com/natural-treatments-for-fibromyalgia-and-thyroid-hormone-resistance/ 3 Types Of Thyroid Hormone ResistanceGeneral thyroid hormone resistance occurs when both the pituitary gland and the peripheral tissues are partially resistant to thyroid hormone. The patient's thyroid hormone levels are elevated, however the TSH is non-supressed and the peripheral tissue metabolism remains normal. Most patients do not feel any hyperthyroid symptoms and metabolic changes due to the excess of thyroid hormones.Pituitary thyroid hormone resistance occurs when the tissues do not respond as readily to thyroid hormone as do the tissues of most euthyroid individuals. The lab test results indicate high-normal or high blood readings of TSH, free T4 and free T3. These high levels of thyroid hormones do not overstimulate peripheral tissues due to its partial resistance. Most individuals have normal metabolism and do not feel any thyroid related symptoms despite having fairly high TSH and thyroid hormone levels.Peripheral thyroid hormone resistance occurs when most of the tissues of the body and/or brain are partially resistant to thyroid hormone. Dr. Lowe suggested that about 40% of fibromyalgia patients have peripheral tissue resistance to thyroid hormone and not the general or pituitary resistance.In the peripheral resistance to thyroid hormone, all the glands of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis function and release hormones properly and the standard thyroid tests for TSH, free T3 and free T4 show normal, however the metabolism in the peripheral tissues is low. To increase the metabolism the patient with peripheral resistance requires high doses of thyroid hormone that will result in the suppression of TSH and often bringing TSH to the extremely low levels.Standard thyroid tests are not useful in confirming the diagnosis of peripheral thyroid hormone resistance in a majority of fibromyalgia patients even when typical hypothyroid symptoms are present. Dr. Lowe noticed that patients with fibromyalgia have abnormally low metabolic rates and body temperatures and had used it as markers to establish peripheral thyroid hormone resistance.Dr. Lowe suggested to use a high or supra-physiological doses of T3 medication to treat patients with peripheral resistance in order to improve their metabolism. He developed a three part evaluation of the treatment outcome that can also confirm the diagnosis of peripheral resistance:Only supra-physiological doses of T3 help patients with peripheral resistance to completely alleviate their hypothyroid symptoms.Based on physical exams, series of ECGs, Achilles reflex and different biochemical tests, the patients do not show any overstimulation being on the high dose of T3 that would be dangerous for any other euthyroid individuals.Blood lab test results indicate extremely high levels of free T3 without accompanying hyperthyroid symptoms or signs of thyrotoxicosis.