Diagnosis of hypothyroidism: Are we getting what we want from TSH testing?

Hypothyroidism is a common disorder where there is inadequate cellular thyroid effect to meet the needs of the tissues. Typical symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, depression, cold extremities, muscle aches, headaches, decreased libido, weakness, cold intolerance, water retention, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dry skin. Low thyroid causes or causes or contributes to the symptoms of many conditions can but the deficiency is often missed by standard thyroid testing. This is frequently the case with depression, hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), menstrual irregularities, infertility, PMS, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, fibrocystic breasts, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hyperhomocysteinuria (high homocystine), atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes and insulin resistance [...]

Fatigued, Depressed, Difficulty Losing Weight?

Since the endocrine system is devised of glands that produce and send hormones to all areas of our body to regulate the essential functions of our body like temperature, reproduction, growth, immunity, and aging, it stands to reason that this should be the hub of vitality, longevity and well being. Many individuals are getting remarkable results from having their hormones optimized. Specialized hormonal testing can be utilized to bring the hormones into optimal ranges. Many people are finding that common problems of fatigue, depression and difficulty losing weight can be completely reversed by physicians that specialize in hormone optimization and age management medicine. Individuals often suffer for years being told that their thyroid, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone and adrenals are fine, but these doctors are finding that these levels are actually low and need to be supplemented, often with remarkable results. Standard blood tests only pick up the sickest 2.5% of the population [...]

Endocrinological Assessment and Treatment of Obesity

Obesity has become a major health epidemic and has dramatically increased over the last decades. Studies show that now approximately one-third of the U.S. population is classified as obese and over two-thirds are significantly overweight. While the cause is multifactorial, studies are clear that almost all overweight individuals have metabolic and endocrinological dysfunction that is causing or contributing to their inability to lose weight. It is not simply a problem that individuals are taking in more calories than they are consuming, but rather it is a complex vicious-cycle of endocrinological and metabolic dysfunction. Contemporary medicine has failed to address these dysfunctions in overweight individuals and doctors and patients continue to believe that all cases are a matter of will-power and lifestyle. Thus, it is no surprise that obesity is reaching epidemic proportions [...]

Reduced Metabolic Rate with Dieting

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 44, 585-595

In 14 overweight women, 24-hour energy expenditure (EE) was measured in a whole-body indirect calorimeter: before weight reduction (100% diet), after 1 weeks on a 4.2-MJ diet, after 8 weeks on 4.2-MJ diet and after weight reduction on 100% diet. Mean body weight declined from 93.3 +/- 7.4 (mean +/- SD) to 83.4 +/- 7.7 kg; 24-hour EE decreased from 10.52 +/- 0.83 MJ on the 100% diet to 9.58 +/- 0.75 MJ on the 4.2- MJ diet. After 8 weeks, 24-hour EE had decreased by 15% of the initial 24-hour EE to 8.92 +/- 0.65 MJ. After refeeding (1 week), it increased to 9.45 +/- 0.75 MJ. Calculated energy requirement before weight reduction was 10.62 +/- 0.88 MJ/day; after weight reduction, 9.39 +/- 0.79 MJ/day. The decrease was more than that predicted from the change in body weight and body composition [...]