This is undoubtedly one of the most important pieces of thyroid research done in the last ten years or so (perhaps 30 years).
It finally begins to be more clear that TSH is one of the least useful tools in assessing thyroid hormone levels and whether someone is actually getting enough T3 in the cells.
It states clearly that TSH should be downgraded to a merely supporting role, and that the role of free thyroid hormones is more important (especially FT3).
It also states that other/new biological markers are actually required to assess if thyroid hormones are actually sufficient and working well for the individual.
There is still huge work to be done, but this research is pointing the way and it says what thyroid patients have known for a very long time:
“Homeostatic Control of the Thyroid-Pituitary Axis: Perspectives for Diagnosis and Treatment.”
Hoermann, Midgley, Larisch, Dietrich.
Front Endocrinol 2015 Nov 20;6:177. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2015.00177.
Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26635726
Full article: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2015.00177/full
This is one piece of research to be armed with when confronted by TSH focused doctors.
Much much more research is still required – let us all hope that it happens.
Best wishes,
Paul
(Updated in February 2019)
