TSH test as a method of hypothyroid diagnosis
Doctor Domisse has little confidence in standard "normal range" TSH testing as a method of hypothyroidism diagnosis, primarily because TSH testing is useful only in a trio combination of tests which include FT3 and FT4 level testing, as well as T2 testing. In addition, Doctor Domisse believes that the standard "normal range" is too high for accurate diagnosis, and that standard medical diagnostic and treatment protocols often leave grade 3 hypothyroidism undiagnosed.
In regard to many physicians's treatment of symptoms, he remarked, "when physicians talk about 'subclinical' hypothyroidism (meaning 'no symptoms'), I am shocked because I realize they have simply not elicited the history or signs of classic hypothyroidism that seem, to me, to invariably accompany grade-3 hypothyroidism. As I've said, I now treat people whose TSH is ] 1.0 (with FT4 and FT3 lo-normal) and, so far, have always obtained an excellent improvement in the patient's symptoms, cholesterol level, or whatever they have presented with. For some reason that I don't understand, there is more fear of treating these minor degrees of hypothyroidism than of treating the more-severe degrees, the implication being that, since they are only slightly low, they are that much closer to being overtreated."
Typically, he recommends that hypothyroidism be diagnosed based on T3 and T4 levels, with a range for free T3 that is often near 280-540 (or 2.8-5.4, depending on the size of the units). However, Doctor Domisse has noticed a reluctance to treat with T3, and attributes the reluctance to a combination of factors, including the fact that many doctors are influenced or coerced to adopt because of the huge survival- and career-jeopardizing pressures that physicians who 'step out of line' are subjected to, by medical boards, plaintiff lawyers, other physicians, medical schools, etc.
In discussing risks of using T3, he comments that, "There definitely are dangers inherent in prescribing T3 if one doesn't know how to do it. The reverse-side of that is that, if one knows how to prescribe it, the dangers can be minimized and kept to a level that is no higher than the dangers inherent in prescribing T4-only"
The interview covers:
- 'Wilson's Syndrome' and Drs Wilson and John C Lowe's treatment with T3-only
- Deficiencies often found associated with hypothyroidism that respond well to supplementation
- Treatment programs that help thyroid patients effectively lose weight
