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 2011, Gullo's research team published a landmark study in thyroid therapy titled "Levothyroxine Monotherapy Cannot Guarantee Euthyroidism in All Athyreotic Patients." Gullo and colleagues examined the TSH, FT3 and FT4 levels and the FT3:FT4 ratios of 1,811 thyroidless patients on levothyroxine (LT4) monotherapy and compared them with 3,875 healthy controls. Gullo's study shook the … Continue reading Gullo: LT4 monotherapy and thyroid loss invert FT3 and FT4 per unit of TSH
I would like to introduce you to Subject #7, the only person in Pilo's 1990 study who had a thyroid secretion ratio of 14.5 parts T4 to 1 part T3, which was closest to the statistical average of 15.87 to 1. Why is this individual so important to the history of thyroid science and modern … Continue reading Meet a person with the perfect T3:T4 thyroid secretion ratio
In my earlier post about circadian rhythms in thyroid health, I asked two quiz questions about TSH, FT3 and FT4 variability. First I asked "Which value varies the most during the day, a) TSH, b) Free T3 or c) Free T4?" There, I showed you, through various visuals by Russell et al, 2008, that TSH … Continue reading The significance of the TSH-FT3 circadian rhythm
Let's take a thyroid hormone rhythm quiz to get into this article. It's only two questions long, and both questions and answers are in this introduction. Question #1. Which value varies the most during the day, a) TSH, b) Free T3 or c) Free T4? If you chose a) TSH, you get a gold star! … Continue reading Circadian rhythms of TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 in thyroid health
