Age, sex and TSH-FT4-FT3 relationships: Advanced lessons

No one wants to be ageist or sexist in thyroid screening or diagnosis. But if we are blind to the way that age and sex can distort the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, our interpretations of thyroid hormone levels and TSH will inevitably become ageist and sexist by refusing to respect and accommodate human diversity. In a … Continue reading Age, sex and TSH-FT4-FT3 relationships: Advanced lessons

Age bias may hide hypothyroidism under a normal TSH

Scientists have been explaining that TSH responds to thyroid hormones differently in childhood, early adulthood, late adulthood and very advanced age. This poses a problem for regions that have implemented TSH-only screening for thyroid dysfunction. The effect of age on TSH is one of many factors that can make this screening test less accurate (Ling … Continue reading Age bias may hide hypothyroidism under a normal TSH

Can a normal TSH rule out thyroid disease?

If you are well-informed by current thyroid science, you already know the answer to the question in the title. "No. A normal TSH cannot rule out thyroid disease." Since the 1990s, physicians have been taught to use simplistic category-based interpretations of TSH (and Free T4) as "in or out of range" to classify people as … Continue reading Can a normal TSH rule out thyroid disease?

The myths that idolize TSH and denigrate FT3

There are myths in medical practice, and misguided policies in health care systems, that prevent Free T3 (FT3) from being tested. It could save a patient years or decades of suffering and illness to perform this cheap test to reveal problems that could otherwise go undiagnosed in a T3-blind medical system. A fellow thyroid patient … Continue reading The myths that idolize TSH and denigrate FT3

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 the risks and benefits of the procedure and give signed consent. We need to consider … Continue reading Caution: Doctors perform T3-ectomies without our consent