Whatever next!!! : What do you all think of this... - Thyroid UK

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Whatever next!!!

greygoose profile image
22 Replies

What do you all think of this?!?!

Thyroflex Thyroid Test

local12.com/news/features/t...

And this video shows you how it's done :

youtube.com/watch?v=ZZK1qM8...

I think it's just giving them more excuses not to treat!

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greygoose profile image
greygoose
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22 Replies
shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

Someone always come up with something to make money. If we're undertreated/undiagnosed with might be willing to part with $60.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to shaws

Probably. But I doubt it'd do us much good!

Spareribs profile image
Spareribs

it "measures the rate and caliber of the reflex response to determine thyroid function"

slow response = low thyroid.

This was the old fashioned way docs used to test, by reflex hammer - come full circle! I had nerve conduction tests for carpal tunnel, negative. J :D

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Spareribs

Pft!

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK

The FDA approval features strongly in pretty much all references to the Thyroflex. Looking up that approval, I found this:

TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS

CHAPTER I--FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

SUBCHAPTER H--MEDICAL DEVICES

PART 882 -- NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES

Subpart B--Neurological Diagnostic Devices

Sec. 882.1700 Percussor.

(a) Identification. A percussor is a small hammerlike device used by a physician to provide light blows to a body part. A percussor is used as a diagnostic aid during physical examinations.

(b) Classification. Class I (general controls). The device is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in 882.9. The device is also exempt from the current good manufacturing practice requirements of the quality system regulation in part 820 of this chapter, with the exception of 820.180, with respect to general requirements concerning records, and 820.198, with respect to complaint files.

[44 FR 51730, Sept. 4, 1979, as amended at 54 FR 25051, June 12, 1989; 59 FR 63011, Dec. 7, 1994; 66 FR 38807, July 25, 2001]

accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/...

I might be missing something or not understanding, but I can't see anything that mentions or even implies its use regarding thyroid. Simply as a percussor.

Of course, using a percussor might be a valid technique, interpretation of the output from a percussor might be a breakthrough, but there doesn't appear to be any FDA endorsement of that. I don't think that a casual reader would appreciate that - most would assume that the FDA approval was for the use of the questionnaire, the percussor, the analyser, as a complete process for determining thyroid status.

There is something logical about measuring what might be the effects of low or high thyroid hormone levels and worrying less about absolute measurements of the hormones, or of TSH. They need to work a bit harder to convince me this is the optimal approach.

Rod

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to helvella

Totally agree!

PR4NOW profile image
PR4NOW

Grey, the Thyroflex has actually been around for a few years. Interesting that this is a news channel 12 segment from Cincinnati, Ohio doing a piece about a naturopathic doctor in New Zealand.

Dr. Konrad Kail ND, was involved in the development for awhile until his untimely death. He was a bright and innovative individual who was also the medical director at RLC Labs for a time. I've talked to two individuals who have been tested with the machine and they seemed to think it correlated very well with how they felt whereas the TFTs quite often don't correlate at all. The principle used has been around for quite awhile, it is based on the Woltman's Sign of Hypothyroidism which does have a fair degree of accuracy.

turner-white.com/memberfile...

I'm afraid an n of 2 is rather slim pickings but that is all I have. Dr. Sheri Tenpenny DO, Dr. Melnick MD, a reproductive endo in NYC and I believe Dr. Holtorf MD have all used, or are using, the Thyroflex. PR

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to PR4NOW

As part of a diagnosis process, I agree it's useful - my reflexes were tested. But to have this machine as the final word on the subject is dangerous, I think. Just as dangerous as putting all bets on the TSH test.

PR4NOW profile image
PR4NOW in reply to greygoose

Grey, quite, the patient always has to be a part of the diagnosis, the final endpoint as it were. PR

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to PR4NOW

PR, I think we're at cross purposes here. lol

PR4NOW profile image
PR4NOW in reply to greygoose

Grey, I was agreeing with you. The patient should be the final end point for a diagnosis, all the tests of whatever kind are just clues. None of the tests that I know of, including the Thyroflex, are 100% accurate. One of these days I might even learn the King's English. PR

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to PR4NOW

OK :) :) :)

serenfach profile image
serenfach

No Doctor has ever touched me since I was diagnosed with Hashis - no feeling the thyroid, no blood pressure, I arrange blood tests, etc.

I am sure we all feel like we have been hit by a HUGE hammer at times, I know I do!

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to serenfach

They Don't seem to like touching people, do they. Makes you Wonder why they wanted to be doctors.

Rudegirl profile image
Rudegirl

I'd like to try this.. Before I was diagnosed hypo. I saw hand plastic surgeons, Neuro surgeons, nerve tests & all showed nothing.. i find this quite interesting!!!

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Rudegirl

Why did you see plastic surgeons?

Rudegirl profile image
Rudegirl in reply to greygoose

Pain in my hands.. Wasn't carpal, surgeons where trying to find the cause & failed.. I was at the point of wanting them cut off it was so severe, I coulnt even do my trousers up.. Once I was diagnosed hypo & began treatment it disappeared.. 9 years I suffered, my pain threshold is very high, I'd given birth without pain relief.. But this I coulnt tolerate.. Splints, straps, physio, it was a mystery to everyone!!

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Rudegirl

That must have been terrible for you. And no-one guessed it was thyroid?

Rudegirl profile image
Rudegirl in reply to greygoose

Thought I was going crazy.. A&E put it down to severe tendonitis...

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Rudegirl

They really Don't have a clue, do they! Thyroid testing ought to be automatic, whatever you complain about, because thyroid can cause so very many problems!

faith63 profile image
faith63

Dr. Lowe used all kinds of tests, anything but labs. Only found a weak correlation between symptoms and lab results, with his patients. Achilles Tendon Reflexes, EKG. Resting Metabolic Rate..

Grey..do you have a link about the childhood abuse and developing thyroid problems as an adult?

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to faith63

No, I'm sorry, Faith, I Don't.

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