Fatigue, Body Temperature and Thyroid Disease
Noel Peterson, N.D.
"I can't believe how well I feel, and neither can my husband. Four months ago I would come home from work and collapse, exhausted. Nothing helped my energy. And now I have energy to spare! Most of the other symptoms that have plagued me for years are gone."
Jana and her husband had been trying to solve her fatigue for 6 years. She was 31 years old with a 15 month old child and was working full time. Two and a half years ago her endocrinologist had diagnosed Hashimoto's disease, an inflammatory condition of the thyroid gland. Initial treatment with T4 hormone (Synthroid) had made a difference, but after a month of mild improvement, her fatigue returned.
Her endocrinologist increased her dose gradually over the next 2 1/2 years, from 25 mcg to 125 mcg. Her laboratory results were normal, yet in spite of the increase in dose, the exhaustion would overtake her again. She pushed herself with hardcore aerobic exercise classes, but she still never felt well. She napped during her lunch hour, fell into bed exhausted in the evenings and spent weekends sleeping, yet nothing relieved her fatigue.
Jana's oral body temperature averaged 97.8 degrees F, almost 1 degree under the normal 98.6 degrees F, despite taking 125 mcg of T4. Something wasn't working.
Over the last 15 years I have identified and completed treatment with over 100 patients with symptoms similar to Jana's who have met the criteria for Wilson's Syndrome, a condition in which people have trouble converting the thyroid hormone T4 into T3, the active form of the hormone that the body uses. Without adequate T3, hypothyroidism results. Every enzyme in every cell malfunctions, and in turn problems occur in all organ systems. In fact, Multiple Endocrine Dysfunction Syndrome is the other name for Wilson's Syndrome.
Four months after starting T3 therapy, Jana is a changed person. She feels steady physically and emotionally. She is no longer depressed or irritable. She sleeps well and wakes rested. Her temperature is normal and she no longer feels cold all the time. Her constipation and irritable bowel symptoms have cleared. Her memory and ability to focus have returned. The dry itchiness of her skin has gone away, and her nails are growing strong. And best of all, she has none of the fatigue that had kept her out of touch with her family and friends. She actually cannot remember ever feeling this well.
As for over the 100 patients who have completed this therapy, 40% of them have had dramatic benefits, just as in Jana's case. Another20% have shown benefit that is gradual and promising. The other 40% have either no improvement or have discontinued T3 therapy because of side effects. Other cases are in progress. If you are interested in being screened for this condition, please contact the Center.