High normal T4 equally damaging to foetal development

[Redpossum2019]

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

This article states that high normal levels of T4 in women (during early gestation) treated for hypothyroidism have negative effects on foetal brain development similar to low levels.

The article uses this finding to excuse not treating women with subclinical hypothyroidism. Despite not testing T3 levels in these groups. As usual not looking at the whole picture. Perhaps this would indicate that high T4 levels in the absence of adequate T3 is the real issue, signalling conversion issues.

This may in some way challenge Dr Tofts statements about some patients requiring above range T4 to feel well. Surely adding T3 would be the wisest move especially in young women?

Healthy women (with mid range T4) do not require high levels of thyroxine to achieve good T3 levels. Therefore I think T3/T4 combination therapy is important in order to achieve optimal levels in those with conversion issues. This would be preferential above excessive dosages of T4 beyond normal pregnancy ranges.

Again and again it seems balance is key, which requires more than one treatment option.

[Redpossum2019]

I’m sorry but I think you have the wrong study? I re-checked the link just to make sure I hadn’t provided the wrong one. The study in the link is in relation to levels of thyroid hormone in pregnancy and it’s relation to foetal development. It seems the study you are talking about is related to Atrial Fibrillation in older adults? Perhaps you are making the link that both studies have limitations?

[holyshedballs in reply to Redpossum2019]

HMM wonder what happened there? that would be a fail if this was an exam. Good answer to the wrong question. I have deleted the wrong answer to avoid confusion.

[Redpossum2019 in reply to holyshedballs]

Easily done! And it was a very good answer I have to say, I was invested even if I didn’t know the subject we were on!