Acronyms

This free and helpful list of acronyms is not exhaustive, but covers some of the more common terms one might see in thyroid patient discussions and posts. Note: this is a copyrighted list from Stop the Thyroid Madness.

ACE

Adrenal Cortex Extract, an older term referring to a supplement that only contains the cortex part of the adrenals (often bovine sourced) where cortisol is located.

ACTH

Adrenal corticotropic which refers to the messenger hormone released by the pituitary and which stimulates the adrenals to produce cortisol.

AIP

Refers to the Autoimmune Paleo Protocol (AIP) way of eating which counters intestinal inflammation, supports better gut health, improves one’s immune system. Excludes dairy products, nuts and seeds, grains, processed foods and any foods which promote inflammation in susceptible individuals.

ALT and AST

There are liver tests. ALT stands for Alanine Aminotransferase and AST stands for Aspartate Aminotransferase. Either discern if one has liver stress, though literature often states that ALT is more important. Sometimes doctors will look at the ratio to distinguish between liver injury vs heart or muscle issues. Most people without liver issues seem to fall in the teens.

CBC

Complete Blood Count and is a blood test measuring your red blood count (RBC), white blood count (WBC), hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (HCT), platelets, etc.

CRP

C-reactive protein and is produced by the liver. If high, it can point to bodily inflammation, bu not specifically where in your body.

DATS

Daily Average Temperature taking method to help find one’s physiologic/needed amount of cortisol supplementation while on HC (below) or ACE (above). Done on days 6-10 of cortisol supplementation i.e. taking single temp 3 hours after waking, 3 hours after that, 3 hours after that. Add up, divide by three to get an average, ending up with five averages in a row. Compare those five single averages–none should more than .2F/1C apart. If they are more than, time for a small raise, then repeat DATS. Learn from chapters 5 & 6 in revised STTM book

DIM

This is the acronym for the supplement called Diindolylmethane. The latter is also found naturally in cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli or brussels sprouts, but can be more convenient in capsule form. it helps break down excess estrogen.

DO

Doctor of Osteopathy – another branch of medicine that produces licensed physicians with an emphasis on a whole person approach.

EBV

Epstein Barr Virus—a virus that lays dormant in approx. 95% of adults. Is the cause of mononucleosis, but you can have this virus laying dormant without having had mono and it can reactivate due to stress or illness. Get the eBook on Esptein Barr Virus

ENDO

Short for Endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in Endocrine system (though patients have frequently reported that their knowledge about better thyroid treatment is considerably lacking).

ESR

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, and like the CRP (see above) is another blood test used to detect bodily inflammation.

FDA

Food and Drug Administration, a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Stated to be “responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices; and by ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.” Critics will state that the FDA is more in the hands of the pharmaceuticals rather than patients.

FSH

Follicle-stimulating hormone, which stimulates female ovaries to produce eggs. Released by the pituitary. Patients who suspect hypopituitary often test this with other pituitary hormones.

GD

Graves Disease, the hyperthyroid end of the spectrum.

HC

Stands for Hydrocortisone, a man-made version of cortisol. A common brand name is Cortef, but there are others. Patients have reported it to work well for those who have three or more saliva results which are very low. Chapter 6 in the revised STTM book is the go-to chapter to understand how patients have successfully used HC. It’s IMPORTANT to use HC the right way.

LDN

Low Dose Naltrexone, a medication which improves immune function and is especially good to help lower thyroid antibodies

MTHFR

No, it’s not an acryonym for a dirty word (even if we all say it in our minds. lol) but instead when used, refers to a mutation of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene and raises the risk of having too-high levels of toxins or heavy metals in our body because we are unable to break down certain b-vitamins correctly. Can also cause high B12 serum levels, as well, especially combined with a mutation in the COMT gene.

MVP

Mitral Valve Prolapse and refers to a value in the heart which isn’t closing properly. A floppy valve. Can be fairly benign in most, or symptomatic in others.

NDT

Natural Desiccated Thyroid, a form of hypothyroid treatment that gives you all five thyroid hormones, which patients report works far better than T4-only…

NP

Nurse Practitioner and who is an “advanced practice registered nurse” (APRN), educated and trained to provide patient care. Has more independence than a Physician’s Assistant (see PA below) and can even have their own practice in some states.

PA

Physicians Assistant and who is certified to practice medicine with patients, but only under the supervision of a physician.

PIGGY

Jokingly used to describe Natural Desiccated Thyroid, a form of a prescription medication which contains all five hormones and is porcine sourced for prescriptions, bovine sourced for over the counter supplement versions

PTU

Stands for Propylthiouracil, an anti-thyroid drug to help calm thyroid production due to Graves disease. It’s similar in effect to methimazole (Tapazole).

STTM

Stop the Thyroid Madness, the name of a movement by patients about far better treatment and information; the name of this site; the name of two of the best books out there on hypothyroid issues and so much related to them.

T4-ONLY

A thyroid medication that only contains the storage hormone T4, one of five thyroid hormones, and which forces anyone to live for conversion alone. Also called Thyroxine, Levo, Synthroid, Oroxine, etc.

THYCA

This stands for Thyroid Cancer.

TIBC

One of four important lab tests related to our iron levels. Stands for Total Iron Binding Capacity and is an indirect measure of the liver’s ability to produce transferrin, a protein which carries iron around. Usually higher in the range if hypothyroid (though some still have in the lower part of the range and we’re not sure yet why)

TPO

This stands for Thyroid Peroxidase, which is an enzyme made by your thyroid gland to help you make thyroid hormones. Often, people will put just TPO to refer to the “TPO antibodies”, meaning those substances created by your immune system which are attacking your thyroid peroxidase enzymes.

TRH

This stands for Thyrotropin-releasing hormone and is a messenger hormone released by the hypothalamus in the brain. It’s purpose is to tell the Pituitary to release the TSH (for thyroid hormone production) or ACTH (for adrenals cortisol production) and other messenger hormones.

TSH

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, one of several messenger hormones released by the pituitary, but this one in particular is released to stimulate the thyroid to produce hormones. When low with a low free T3, patients become suspicious of hypopituitary. The TSH fails too many patients in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism.

TT

This stands for Total Thyroidectomy, meaning having had one’s entire thyroid taken out, usually due to thyroid cancer.

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