Hope 2016 is better for everyone :-)

[LindaC]

We all learn from one another... we know there's somewhere to 'turn up' whenever... we must all continue searching... whatever that be for Thank you and very best wishes to all xox

Linda

[nightingale-56]

Hope you have a Happy, Healthy New Year too LindaC.

[LindaC in reply to nightingale-56]

Thank you j_bee, we can all live in hope Very best to you, be well xx

[shaws Administrator]

All the best to you as well for a Healthy and Happy 2016.

[LindaC in reply to shaws]

Thank you shaws - let's hope for better treatment for people soon

[shaws Administrator in reply to LindaC]

The BTA 'updated' their Guidelines but obviously appear not to have read updated research for T3/T4 or listened to patients who've benefited. The state the same 'old' reservations about Armour etc. (used widely since 1892 in various forms) whilst ignoring the following from a Scientist/logistician:

thyroidscience.com/Criticis...

Extractfrom the BTA.

C. Since this initial study, there have been a further seven rigorously conducted (“randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled”) studies, encompassing more than 900 hypothyroid patients (summarised in refs. 3 & 4). None of the subsequent studies showed a beneficial effect of combined T4/T3 therapy on measures of wellbeing, health and mental functioning. Three of the seven studies show harmful or undesirable effects of the T4/T3 combination.

D. In three of the subsequent studies of combination treatment, the patients were asked which treatment they preferred, and in two of these 3 studies more patients preferred the combination

T4/T3 therapy. There is no obvious explanation for these observations, and it may or may not be a reproducible effect. E. The BTA keeps an open mind about whether using an appropriate formulation of T4/T3

combination tablet would, in the future, provide health and quality of life benefits in the treatment of hypothyroidism for a subgroup of patients. However, based on the current evidence from rigorous studies of large numbers of patients using the currently available formulations of synthetic thyroid hormones, combined T4/T3 cannot be recommended because of a lack of benefit and a small number of undesirable and harmful effects seen on combination treatment."

british-thyroid-association...

[LindaC in reply to shaws]

When we think of John Lowe, Mark Starr, the Hertoghe family to name a few [I must do the 'Roll Call' for here, told someone I would], I can't believe the disgrace that passes for endocrinology in these times. No one should be permitted to practice unless they have hypo/hyperthyroidism or has this within their family, e.g. John Lowe, Mark Starr... Dr P. Yes, might mean less doctors [who would notice though?] because they really have little clue.

[alangardner in reply to LindaC]

i personally think that the real answer is to specifically structure the training procedures for ANY doctor that wishes to specialise in the endocrine system to encompass all forms of current treatment and diagnosis , as happens in other fields i.e. heart , gynaecology , rheumatology , and many many others ...... and not to continue with the current practices that seem to be motivated solely by either financial or ' head in the sand idiocy ' policies governed by those that only have a very limited view and experience of this specific field ...... a specialist should be a SPECIALIST in 1 field only , and should have a full view of all that encompasses .......alan xx

[LindaC in reply to alangardner]

Well said alangardner! Alas there are certain 'downgrade' disciplines within medicine [e.g. psychiatry, when studying it as a option within psychology, was viewed as the 'bottom of the barrel'] and I fear that endocrinology has now fallen within such a categorization.

Perhaps the thyroid ought not now be lumped in with diabetes [where Type 2 could be handled very differently, as opposed to it being made worse via the current drug and dietary stance] and be viewed according to growing need, to pay sufficient attention to its many variants... outside of outdated 'ranges'.

The rather rich history of hypothyroidism could well have it at the top of the tree... but for too many currently obscuring both the wood and the trees xx

[alangardner in reply to LindaC]

i also think that with the ' financially and political motives ' ....i.e. the main one being physical mortality statistics that are or can be attributed [ which gains coverage ] , as in the latest ... type 2 diabetes .... what gives those that decide the motivation to address the problem , baring in mind that 1 of the overriding problems can possibly be the endocrine/thyroid system that controls most of our health systems internally ........ if your car is running low on oil it 'aint no good putting more water or petrol in it ' because it needs OIL ' ......that's why we all have different specialisations ..... sorry for my rant , but , I feel that I have found a semblance of knowledge on this matter with the help that I have received from this forum .......alan xx

[LindaC in reply to alangardner]

Exactly alan! xx