Hypothyroidism : separating the woo from the facts

[krazyKemist]

I've been diagnosed with hypothyroidism (confirmed high TSH) recently and I've been trying to read about it on the interwebs. I've become increasingly frustrated.

There is so much woo on this subject, and some stuff that doesn't seem obviously too outlandish, that it becomes difficult to sort out the real info from the BS.

Between people suggesting to me to drop the synthroid in favor of zinc supplements (never fear, I would never fall for that, especially when I know first hand how crappy you feel with badly adjusted thyroid hormones and how long it takes to get it stabilized) and those who tell you that dessicated pig thyroid is the magical natural solution, there are people who do not sound like obvious alt med peddlers.

One thing I've read about is hormonal replacement with T3/T4 rather than T4 alone. Are there real proven advantages to the combined T3/T4 vs T4 alone ? If yes, for what type of thyroid condition (primary/secondary hypothyroidism, those who have had TAI vs those with Hashimoto's, ect.)?

Another thing I've seen relates to the body temperature assessment of the disease; some say it's BS, others swear absolutely on this vs TSH measurement. I first would have thought it's BS, but one MD told me she was taught this method as primary means of diagnosis. Then I've read that some people naturally have a lower body temp., without hypothyroidism.

Since one incident when I felt obviously feverish and my GP insisted that my temperature was normal, I've taken to measure my temp. for some days. Surprise ! My normal body temp. is around 36C (97F). So it would seem this is caused by a malfunctionning thyroid. What I wonder is, when my T4 levels will be normal, is my body temp. going to be around 38C ? In other words, is body temp. a reliable indicator of normalized T4 ?

 

[fls]

I've been diagnosed with hypothyroidism (confirmed high TSH) recently and I've been trying to read about it on the interwebs. I've become increasingly frustrated.

There is so much woo on this subject, and some stuff that doesn't seem obviously too outlandish, that it becomes difficult to sort out the real info from the BS.

Simply stick to reliable sites and don't bother even visiting the rest.

I personally recommend www.mayoclinic.com for information directed toward patients. Emedicine is written more for professionals, but is still fairly readable. For any health topic, go to the relevant professional organization's website. They usually have links to good-quality patient education. The AMA lists these organizations here. From there you find the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and info for patients on specific disorders. Another thing to look for is the HONCode.

Between people suggesting to me to drop the synthroid in favor of zinc supplements (never fear, I would never fall for that, especially when I know first hand how crappy you feel with badly adjusted thyroid hormones and how long it takes to get it stabilized) and those who tell you that dessicated pig thyroid is the magical natural solution, there are people who do not sound like obvious alt med peddlers.

One thing I've read about is hormonal replacement with T3/T4 rather than T4 alone. Are there real proven advantages to the combined T3/T4 vs T4 alone ? If yes, for what type of thyroid condition (primary/secondary hypothyroidism, those who have had TAI vs those with Hashimoto's, ect.)?

No. The bulk of T3 formation (conversion of T4 to T3) occurs throughout your body, not in your thyroid. A review of RCT's showed no advantage to combined therapy.

Another thing I've seen relates to the body temperature assessment of the disease; some say it's BS, others swear absolutely on this vs TSH measurement. I first would have thought it's BS, but one MD told me she was taught this method as primary means of diagnosis.

Is she 80 years old?

Then I've read that some people naturally have a lower body temp., without hypothyroidism.

Yes. Body temperature is pretty variable between individuals.

Since one incident when I felt obviously feverish and my GP insisted that my temperature was normal, I've taken to measure my temp. for some days. Surprise ! My normal body temp. is around 36C (97F). So it would seem this is caused by a malfunctionning thyroid. What I wonder is, when my T4 levels will be normal, is my body temp. going to be around 38C ? In other words, is body temp. a reliable indicator of normalized T4 ?

It's not reliable. For one thing, for all you know, your normal body temp (even when not hypothyroid) is 36C.

Linda

 

[krazyKemist]

Thanks !

Is she 80 years old?

Nope. She was trained in India. I think this might have to do with the fact that in some clinics over there, you can't even find aspirin. Doctors have to make do with minimal equipment.