AACE Changes Position re: TSH Normal Range

In what constitutes a fairly dramatic reversal of its previous doctrine regarding how hypothyroidism should be diagnosed, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) has said in its January 2001 Thyroid Awareness Month materials that a "TSH level between 3.0 and 5.0 uU/ml ...should be considered suspect."

There is conflicting medical research with regard to TSH levels and diagnosis of hypothyroidism in America. several research articles, including medical professor Dr. A P Weetman's "Fortnightly review: Hypothyroidism: screening and subclinical disease" and the Colorado Thyroid Disease Prevalence Study have offered different perspectives, and there are major implications of this research for thyroid patients, including:

• Many more than 13 million Americans are likely to be defined as hypothyroid, especially women suffering from undiagnosed hypothyroidism
• Many people who are suffering thyroid symptoms, such as the many symptoms detailed in my Hypothyroidism Symptoms Checklist, may now be considered hypothyroid and eligible to be diagnosed and treated.
• Physicians may reevaluate their dosage strategies, and provide the high doses needed to keep patients at TSH levels under 3.

For more information, see an in-depth article online.