Someone asked for more info on the guidelines in British Columbia (BC) to prevent FT3 and FT4 testing, so I supply links and summaries of policies here. These barriers became active in BC health policy October 2018, they were being enforced by physicians and laboratories in January 2019, according to posts on our support group. … Continue reading Forbidding FT3 and FT4 in British Columbia as of late 2018
Category: Free T4 test
No, T4 does not always convert to enough T3.
"T4 is converted into T3 at the cellular level in virtually all organs" This is what Canada's endocrinologists claim at the opening of their statement under their recommendation "Don’t use Free T4 or T3 to screen for hypothyroidism or to monitor and adjust levothyroxine (T4) dose in patients with known primary hypothyroidism." What does this … Continue reading No, T4 does not always convert to enough T3.
MEMES: Against Table 2 in the “Choosing Wisely Canada” T3 & T4 toolkit
The "Choosing Wisely Canada" toolkit promoting limitation of Free T3 and Free T4 testing has been the food for some meme refutations. Choosing Wisely Canada. (n.d.). Toolkit: Less is More with T3 & T4. Retrieved December 30, 2018, from https://choosingwiselycanada.org/perspective/toolkit-t4-t3/ Recently, we've focused on their Table 2 which outlines situations they recommend NOT to order … Continue reading MEMES: Against Table 2 in the “Choosing Wisely Canada” T3 & T4 toolkit
Our response to Choosing Wisely’s harmful Table 2
Choosing Wisely Canada, together with the Canadian Society for Endocrinology and Metabolism, have collaborated on a harmful toolkit to reduce Free T3 and Free T4 hormone testing in order to save money. As you can see in their Table 2 from page 9 of their toolkit, they want to prevent T3 and T4 testing in … Continue reading Our response to Choosing Wisely’s harmful Table 2
Choosing Wisely: False reassurance to thyroid patients
The full text of Choosing Wisely's email reply to patients: "Thank you for raising your concerns and sharing your personal experience. Choosing Wisely Canada and our partners, the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (CSEM) are not recommending to eliminate T3 testing. Choosing Wisely Canada is a national, clinician-led campaign focused on reducing unnecessary tests … Continue reading Choosing Wisely: False reassurance to thyroid patients