At the European Thyroid Association Meeting, September, 2006, in Naples, Italy, there was a report of a study from Dr. J.P. Walsh and colleagues from Perth, in Western Australia. They took patients who were on replacement, T4type, hormone and who were in the normal zone for TSH, and they evaluated whether “tinkering” with the replacement dose could improve how the patients felt, or if the patient could even tell the difference. They groups were given three different doses of thyroxin (synthroid, for example), 25 mcg apart.
While the researchers were able to see the expected changes in TSH levels and other markers for thyroid function, the patients were not able to tell the difference with any of the treatment plans.
The conclusion of this study was that if patients are within normal TSH levels on blood tests, but still feeling sub-par, that the doctors should look for other reasons.
I read about this study (although I have not read the study itself) in the latest edition of The Bridge, which is the bulletin put out by the Thyroid Foundation of America. YOu might be able to read it at their website. And there is a link established somewhere on our website for their website.
Bobbi — NGDF Online Facilitator
