Research Reviews
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The science of thyroid hormone and bone metabolism
This article is for people interested in getting an overview of the influence of thyroid hormones on bone health at the molecular level. It outlines the way bone transports, metabolizes, and uses thyroid hormones T3 and T4. It also raises theoretical implications for people with low T3 during TSH-suppressive T4 monotherapy. Here I draw mainly…
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As of 2019, still no proof that low TSH causes harm to bones
Many research studies have shown a strong association between low TSH and low bone mineral density or osteoporosis. As a result, many guidelines strongly caution against the risk associated with low TSH. Some doctors and thyroid patients have jumped to the conclusion that a low TSH “causes” osteoporosis. Some even believe a low TSH must…
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2014 ATA therapy guidelines: 5. Research
This post continues my series of paraphrases of Jonklaas et al’s 2014 guidelines that I left unfinished weeks ago. Posts in this series: 2014 ATA Thyroid therapy guidelines: 1. Levothyroxine 2014 ATA Thyroid therapy guidelines: 2. Ethics 2014 ATA Therapy guidelines: 3. Desiccated thyroid 2014 ATA Therapy guidelines: 4. Using Synthetic T3 2014 ATA therapy…
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TSH “can be very misleading” during thyroid therapy, say researchers
How many treated hypothyroid patients’ TSH has fallen below range even when both their thyroid hormones are in normal range and when they have no symptoms or signs of hyperactivity or hypermetabolism? In my observation on thyroid patient forums, the answer is “too many.” It’s common among thyroid patients to resort to such forums for…
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Thyrotoxicosis vs. Low TSH
Our medical system has invested so much in the TSH test that we’ve given it authority to override medical discernment about thyrotoxicosis. The oft-repeated mantras that “TSH is the most sensitive and specific test” and “the only necessary test” have blinded many doctors to the diverse influences that can suppress or inflate TSH secretion. Many…