The fact is, your article states that people who think they have a thyroid problem despite "normal thyroid function tests" have a mental health problem. As far as the patient community is concerned, we find that irresponsible and inaccurate, particularly given that you haven't even defined what is "normal" or how a physician could rule out a genuine subclinical or autoimmune thyroid condition before they moved on to the "diagnosis" of somatoform disorders.
- What do you consider "normal thyroid function tests" as you discuss in your article?
- Do you believe only TSH testing is needed, or do you consider T4, T3, Free T4 and Free T3 relevant to ruling out a genuine thyroid condition?
- Do you follow the "old" normal range, or the "new" range?
- Do you follow the protocol of testing for thyroid antibodies, and treating autoimmune hypothyroidism before elevation of TSH to ward off progression of the autoimmunity and hypothyroidism?
- What about the fact that the TRH Stimulation test, as a challenge test, picks up hypothyroidism that occurs functionally in some patients who test normal on a TSH test?
FIND A DOCTOR WHO ISN'T LIKE WEETMAN!
And when it comes time to get your thyroid treated, take my advice, and avoid doctors like Weetman at all costs. Instead, try to find a doctor who cares about thyroid patients, understands the complexity and difficulty of diagnosis, and is willing to practice the art of medicine -- not an accountant who views you as a big-mouth with a lab test result!
For ideas on good doctors, check out the Thyroid Top Doctors Directory. (And no, Weetman is NOT on the list!)
Mary Shomon, About.com's Thyroid Guide since 1997, is a nationally-known patient advocate and best-selling author of 10 books on health, including "The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss," "Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know," "Living Well With Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism," "Living Well With Autoimmune Disease," "Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia," and the "Thyroid Guide to Fertility, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Success." Click here for more information on Mary Shomon.
