Interesting article...

[MiniMum97]

This is old but just came across this article which I thought was very interesting...

telegraph.co.uk/news/health...

[shaws Administrator]

Thanks for posting.

Dr Skinner was an Virologist but was brought into the world of hypothyroidism as he was being sent patients by other doctors whose patients were suffering from 'mysterious diseases'. Due to his good training as a student (like Dr Peatfield) he realised their symptoms were hypothyroid (this was after the TSH and levo were introduced a few years before).

Because he diagnosed and treated patients with NDT, or levo and his name spread and patients arrived and were diagnosed and recovered he was then pursued by 'others' because he was not following the guidelines.

Dr S was forthright and no messing about and he saw the danger that patients were being put in by the stance they took. I cannot quote his words as his website is now gone as he was pursued by the authorites for daring to prescribe NDT or levo by ignoring the TSH and prescribing. The strain on him was immense and he invited every Endo to a Conference as the situation was parlous for patients and he wanted to discuss this.

One by one the all refused, the last the night befor. the Conference.He was also called before the GMC as complaints were arriving maybe a deluge would be too strong but it certainly wasn't his 2,500 testimonials patients sent and many went to the GMC too. He was never found guilty of any wrong-doing but some noses must have been put out that he was still allowed to practice. Dr S died of a stroke and all his staff and family were devasted as were his patients.

[Framboise]

An interesting article, thanks for posting it, you've jogged my memory. Dr Skinner was absolutely wonderful, he diagnosed me over 15 years ago when I'd already been feeling awful for 8 years. As Shaws says, the GMC did their best to remove his licence but the Panels at the various hearings never quite let them, because they realised he was truly helping his patients and had their best interests at heart. Instead he had to work under strict conditions and suffer repeated investigations. He fought them and so did his patients, many of us going to the numerous hearings in London and Manchester to support him.

Dr Toft makes a very arrogant comment in the article, assuming that Dr Skinner didn't understand what he was seeing and treating (he understood perfectly well!), and Prof Dayan has to admit that he is now working with Dr Skinner's team to see what can be learned from the experience of Dr Skinner's patients. I wasn't aware of this. Since Dr Skinner's death I've had to self-treat because no-one agreed with my diagnosis - until last month when I saw a new private endocrinologist who said I'd had thyroid dysfunction since about 1988, the exact year that Dr Skinner also pinpointed. I'm going to contact Afshan now, hence you jogging my memory