Diagnostic concepts like "subclinical hypothyroidism" have become cognitive barriers to understanding the adaptations and dysfunctions of the aging hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. Thyroid diagnostic categories are usually based on whether TSH and FT4 are in range, above range, or below range, in relation to an age-blind reference range. These are convenient biochemical stereotypes. These stereotypes have … Continue reading Four types of unstable thyroid function in the elderly
In this post, I'll comment on the case study of a woman who suffered for 23 years with undiagnosed central hypothyroidism between 1992 and 2015 (age 34 to age 57) because her TSH was repeatedly in normal range. She developed impaired kidney function, muscle damage, and pericardial effusion. Who saved the day? A biochemist working … Continue reading 23 years of misdiagnosed central hypothyroidism with a normal TSH: Case study
As I've outlined in a previous post, central hypothyroidism (CeH) is a failure or compromise in the hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland that causes defective TSH or inappropriately low TSH secretion. There, I echoed the complaints of world-leading experts in the field, Beck-Peccoz and Persani, who point out why it is so difficult to diagnose central … Continue reading Screening for central hypothyroidism during thyroid therapy
Every thyroid patient and doctor should become more informed about the challenges of diagnosing central hypothyroidism. Did you know that people can even have elevated TSH levels in central hypothyroidism? Wow, really? Yes, the research says so. A graph of research results reveals it clearly, too. Not only that, but here's another shocker. As of … Continue reading Why is central hypothyroidism so difficult to diagnose?
This week (as of October 4, 2019), a thyroid patient from British Columbia posted an image of a piece of paper handed to her at a LifeLabs laboratory. LifeLabs BC was using this paper leaflet to explain to her why "Free T3 and Free T4 will not be tested when the TSH is in reference … Continue reading LifeLabs BC handout reveals thyroid testing policy failure
