A Google search for “thyroid function tests” brought up a definition square at the top of the search results. It says that “Thyroid function tests” is a collective term for blood tests used to check the function of the thyroid…. Read More ›
Testing policy
How can clinical biochemists help or harm thyroid patients?
Economic pressures on health care systems worldwide have led to government-funded and medical-association supported campaigns like Choosing Wisely that offer “toolkits” promoting the cancellation of laboratory tests and treatments. These cancellations affect a wide variety of patients with many health… Read More ›
Survey: Canadian Thyroid Testing Tips & Challenges
We’re trying a new strategy to crowdsource data on Canadian thyroid patients’ access to thyroid laboratory testing. For a limited time, we are test-driving an anonymous survey with a real-time report that displays up to date statistics and results. Take… Read More ›
Relational Stability, Part 2: Normality of TSH and thyroid hormones
Does the statistically-defined “normal” TSH reference range for the healthy population describe the TSH range for a healthy individual? Does having a TSH within the normal laboratory range always mean you, as an individual are biologically euthyroid? Does falling outside… Read More ›
In 1981, Canadian physicians argued T3 was the best test in thyroid therapy
Canadians can take pride in their historical defense of T3 testing in thyroid therapy. Our job defending the T3 test today is to remind people of what has changed since then in thyroid testing, and what is still the same…. Read More ›
2019 ATA article engages in patient-blaming and doctor-shaming
Some members of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) have achieved a new ethical low. The ATA have published in their official scientific journal, Thyroid, an article by Esfandiari and colleagues (2019) that blames thyroid patients for causing harm to themselves… Read More ›
Caution: Doctors perform T3-ectomies without our consent
We all know a “thyroidectomy” is the surgical removal of a thyroid gland. Nobody removes a vital gland without a patient’s informed consent. If your medical system and doctor are ethical, you as a patient have the opportunity to weigh… Read More ›
How thyroid guidelines are being used to punish doctors
Clinical guidelines are supposed to promote patient health and encourage evidence-based medicine and physician discernment, but thyroid guidelines aim to restrict testing, restrict medication, and prevent any change in therapy practices. Indeed, the enforcement of restrictions appears to be the… Read More ›