Hi John, I came across this old discussion whilst researching prior to a meeting with NICE next week, they’re scoping for Thyroid disease guidelines finally.
Dr Skinner, who saved my thyroidless life, wrote to support me but for some very bizarre reason, his evidence was not published. Too controversial no doubt. He correctly asserted that there is absolutely no scientific basis for thyroid function tests as they are applied. These tests do not show cellular thyroid activity. TSH can be as exquisitely sensitive till the cows come home, it still cannot show if a person is cellularly lacking in thyroid hormone. The fact that the guidelines for the use of Thyroid Function Tests are based on poor quality evidence and out of date speaks volumes.
I have little faith NICE will research ALL the relevant evidence and fear CFS/Fibro/Thyroid patients will be further boxed into a dreadful ‘computer says no’ mode of diagnosis. But I am cynical after five years of fighting and ten years with no thyroid.
Hi John, I came across this old discussion whilst researching prior to a meeting with NICE next week, they’re scoping for Thyroid disease guidelines finally.
I echo your frustration and sense that something is going on. I petitioned the Scottish Parliament five years ago on this matter, it’s still live. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01463
Dr Skinner, who saved my thyroidless life, wrote to support me but for some very bizarre reason, his evidence was not published. Too controversial no doubt. He correctly asserted that there is absolutely no scientific basis for thyroid function tests as they are applied. These tests do not show cellular thyroid activity. TSH can be as exquisitely sensitive till the cows come home, it still cannot show if a person is cellularly lacking in thyroid hormone. The fact that the guidelines for the use of Thyroid Function Tests are based on poor quality evidence and out of date speaks volumes.
I have little faith NICE will research ALL the relevant evidence and fear CFS/Fibro/Thyroid patients will be further boxed into a dreadful ‘computer says no’ mode of diagnosis. But I am cynical after five years of fighting and ten years with no thyroid.