The Basis for Many Medical Tests

March 26, 2012

Hello to All,

The basis for many medical tests is an assumption that 95% of the population is

" normal. " There are examples to demonstrate the complete lack of applicability

of this notion. For example body weight. If one applied this blindly, as this

assumption is applied, then adults from less than 100 pound to about 250 pounds

would be considered " normal. " Lets see, we know a woman who is about 5'2 " and

about 245. Is she normal. Obviously, not but then we have other means for

judging that, such as the obvious lack of hour-glass shape.

Nonetheless, the 95% assumption sticks. It sticks particularly well in the UK's

addressing the TSH limits, which are too high by international standards. It

sticks particularly well in adrenal issues world wide as medicine finds people

who are almost in 's territory equal to those almost in Cushing's

territory. The problem of being near 's territory is the medically

unrecognized issue of adrenal fatigue. But then there credentials, not their

grasp of medicine, allows them to direct or misdirect your healthcare.

The 95% assumption is based in statistics. The process goes like this. A large

number of folks are tested for some issues, such as TSH. Then a statistical

analysis is performed on the data. This finds the average, the median, (the

middle values) and the standard deviation (sigma, how wide the values range).

It is then convenient to declare the range from two sigma below the average to

two sigma above the average as normal. Those above average plus two sigma as

abnormally high and those below the average minus two sigma as abnormally low.

Notice the absolute lack of medical consideration. Notice that this assumption

is never checked against reality. For example folks with a TSH Of 6 are not

well and indicate the need for alteration in the assumption, which other

countries have done. But not the UK. That TSH has to be greater than

10......because that fits the assumption even though the assumption has little

if any connection to reality.

So if you feel that you are being treated arbitrarily, don't feel alone because

that is part of the system that needs changing.

Have a great day,

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