I thought that people might like to see this - it's a video in which Dr Midgley (aka diogenes) appeared in front of the Scottish Parliament Petitions committee discussing the thyroid petition from a few years ago, set up by Lorraine Cleaver and others.
I am very Saddened by the loss of Diogenes. He was a tremendous advocate for the thyroid society . He was so helpful for our forum. He will be so very missed. I was hoping that we will see him write a thyroid book.
Thanks for the link. I remember reading about that research and decided against signing up because I treat myself and only have a diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism. Calling my condition and that of millions of people worldwide "subclinical" is an insult that annoys me every time I think about it.
I started as sub clinical but notice I’m now referred to as primary not sure when that changed? Only noticed on the latest Endo letter… mind you I also mysteriously became Mrs 🙄
Oh thank you so much humanbean for the video. It was good to see the doctor and gentleman who has been fighting so hard on our behalf in recent years. He clearly is someone who believes that wrongs have been done and has been trying to put things to right - this says so much about the MAN! Thank you so much!
Thanks was interesting to see this video.RIP Diogenes thankyou to you and Lorraine Cleaver for trying to get something done regarding Hypothyroidism diagnosis and treatment.We need to keep reminding G P's that we know our own bodies better than anyone.
Thank you very much for posting this link. What a great man! I was not aware that he had passed away… How sad. He has been incredibly thorough in his research in order to help all people who suffer so much because of unrecognised or/and undertreating hypothyroidism.
Thanks for posting, humanbean
Believe more information and attention focused on the lacks in thyroid treatment is good.
Petition Number: PE 1463 LODGED 19 DECEMBER 2012: Effective thyroid and adrenal testing, diagnosis and treatment
-[noted by Kathleen Robson Senior Researcher 11th January 2013: -archive2021.parliament.scot... “ Scottish Parliament Action: No specific work on this issue has been conducted by the Scottish Parliament. ”]
Main Petitioner: Sandra Whyte, Marian Dyer and Lorraine Cleaver Subject: Calls on the Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to take action to ensure GPs and endocrinologists are able to accurately diagnose thyroid and adrenal disorders and provide the most appropriate treatment
2:37: Dr John Midgley[Diogenes] who was previously lecturer-not thyroid- at Newcastle Uni, and later involved in inventing the thyroid test [late 1970s] but warns of the misuse of the TSH test:
-“…the sin of categorization, shoehorning people…chemistry dominates over patients’ presentation, biochemical parameters which should be suggestions, indicators but not dictators…the patient is now subordinate to the chemistry….clinical training has to change very, very, very much…."
18:23…18:54Elaine Smith MSP [Red-jacket] spoke of finally being treated by Dr Toft with T3 after 2yrs of expensive tests such as brain scans while she saying all the time she had an underactive thyroid (+she then not able to convert T4 to T3):
“to me that is just tragic because the people not getting it [NDT/T3] now can’t wait*. …it’s tragic…horrendous…they’re on depression medicine, they may be suffering fibromyalgia, etc etc …
30:09Lorraine Cleaver: “…go right back to the source and the source of the guidance that’s handed out to these GPs, this is why we’re in this position, those guidelines were written based on consensus. That is consensus medicine, it’s not science and we should go back to the source and the source of the guidance that’s handed out to these GPs …we should go back to the source and say why is that acceptable for such a common illness that all the guidance handed down is based on consensus rather than based on good quality evidence.”
31:40Elaine Smith: 31:40 "petitioners have been before this committee a few times…31:51 …is there not any time in your timetable…"*
31:52Committee dismissal response:
“what I’m keen to do is have this draft report and then draw conclusions from that and while yes members of the committee not all members of the committee were on in past times, we have read back and reflected on the evidence and we have to balance interests of this petition against all other pressures but you rest assured that we will at least be looking at that.” *
Humanbean thanks so much for posting this. Sadly another thyroid advocate lost to us. He should be remembered for how readily he shared important thyroid information with us all and advocated for improved testing and treatment for thyroid disease for many years. A sad loss. Thank you for all you did for us. RIP Dr Midgeley (Diogenes). Condolences to his family and friends.
He was brilliant in this video- inspiring, but the thing that struck me and dismayed was with a couple of exceptions how ill equipped the panel were to take his evidence…… half the time this is the battle. People who are specialists and doctors succumb to group think and refuse to critically evaluate the poor outcomes. Who will this panel have taken advice from and trust…..
Seeing this video I feel the terrible loss of John Midgley (Diogenes) even more so. I wish we had more determined advocates like him. While I can most likely not fully imagine the grief his loved ones must feel, I sure see the big hole being ripped into thyroid advocacy. John Midgley has set me at ease in this community when I was torn between what my doctors told me and my personal health experience. I will be forever grateful to him for that. May he always be remembered. I wish he could see the fruits of his labour on behalf of thyroid patients in the future as I hope that some day there will be. Thank you Diogenes!
Before this video was posted I googled to find out more about Dr John Midgley. I was surprised to find several people with that name. Mention of the Scottish Parliament identified the correct one for me.
Thank you for posting the video. I had not seen this. An amazing advocate for thyroid. As said, by many, lots of advocates are ridiculed by mainstream medics, almost bullied, so that they're not listened to. Cancel culture again and again.
He will be a huge loss.
RIP
Condolences to his family, and many thanks for his massive help to thyroid patients and their ongoing fight to feel well.
Firstly my condolences to his family & friends. On watching & listening to this video I am humbled by the knowledge, commitment & ability to convey a clear message to this committe etc. A great man indeed & his legacy will be remembered by many.
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