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Tag: gordon skinner

The UK’s GMC is at it again—challenging Dr. Skinner! Your help is needed.

What in the world is up with the medical system in the United Kingdom??

UK thyroid patients report it’s almost impossible to be on natural desiccated thyroid–a treatment which simply gives a thyroid patient back the T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin that a healthy thyroid would be making.

And now, the General Medical Council has decided to once again challenge a doctor who DARED to treat symptoms with a lab result in range, even though the patient clearly has hypothyroid symptoms. Thyroid patients are INFORMED patients, and we know the difference between what a man-made fallible lab range shows, and how we feel, especially the lousy use of the TSH lab test.

I first wrote about the Circus of Shame concerning the challenge Dr. Skinner’s fitness to practice here, which was 2006.  Finally, five years later in 2011, you can read about Skinner being exonerated of all charges here! It was exciting.  Sheila of TPA-UK outlines concerns with this entire fiasco here.

But it appears the General Medical Council wants to keep playing this broken record. They now have 5 more charges against him–i.e. the same old stuff about treating within the reference range.  MANY patients have been treated with their lab test in range and report their lives changed!!

Says Sheila Turner of TPA-UK stated today, Feb. 18th, “Dr Skinner has 3 working days to get his defence together, he was away last week, and came back yesterday to find a big bundle in his post from the General Medical Council. The following is what I posted to all of my members yesterday. We have heard nothing more from the GMC or from Gordon’s legal team as we are now into the weekend, so will have to wait until Monday morning. As much as I know I have written below. See the last day of the GMC hearing and the Panel’s decision at that time. It just beggars belief. here http://www.tpa-uk.org.uk/skinner_hearing_transcripts2.php .”

YOU CAN HELP!!  Use the following to email short messages of support about being treated successfully with a lab result within the so-called normal range:  IOPTeam@gmc-uk.org with Dr. Skinner’s name and reference, C1-462487326 by this Tues 21st. The hearing (with hardly any notice) is on Wednesday 22nd Feb.

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Important information about Cytomel, Dr. Skinner in the UK, and Missy Elliott

ARE YOU ON CYTOMEL? If you haven’t gotten a refill of your Cytomel lately (a synthetic T3-only medication), it’s important that you know that the former makers, King Pharmaceuticals, was bought out by Pfizer Canada, Inc last October 2010. Why is this important? Because as thyroid patient Mare found out the hard way recently, your local pharmacy may think it’s not made anymore, and scare the pants off of you by saying so.

In reality, your local pharmacy needs to contact Pfizer Canada about getting re-stocked.  Says Mare, “The pharmacy’s inaccurate data caused me a great deal of angst this weekend as I was now totally out of the only thing (Cytomel) that’s even remotely made a bit of difference and now they were telling me I couldn’t get it anymore (do we patients always have to do everything ourselves??!!!)”

***Have you had any problems filling your T3? Comment on this blog post and tell us your experience.

WHY WOULD ANYONE BE ON T3-ONLY?? Did you know that if you have too high or too low cortisol levels, and/or low ferritin/low iron, there’s a good chance you may need to be on T3-only for awhile?  Yes, when you have ongoing chronic issues as a thyroid patient, your body will respond by converting the T4 you have to excess Reverse T3.  And excess RT3 will hog-and-clog the very cell receptors that would be receiving T3. Thus, you become hypo all over again.  You can read more about it here. But if you want even more good detail about T3, how this active thyroid hormone helps you,  the causes of RT3, and how to dose T3-only meds, get the Revised STTM book. It’s VERY worth it.

***What brands of T3 you have tried,  what works for you, and what hasn’t worked as well?? Comment on this blog post.

THE CONTINUING SAGA OF DR. SKINNER IN THE UK: If you aren’t aware of the incredibly shocking story of beloved Dr. Gordon Skinner in the UK—a man who dared to prescribe thyroid treatment in lieu of a “normal” TSH lab result (which is a lab test that informed thyroid patient worldwide know is completely bogus)—you can read my 2006 blog post about him here, followed by the 2007 post here.  Also, Sheila of TPA-UK gives detailed information here.

And everyone should know that his General Medical Council (GMC) hearing is coming up:  July 28th and 29th, plus August 1st, 2nd and 3rd.  This is to assess whether further action is needed after his 3 years of conditional practice are now up (as of late last year).  Says a strong supporter of Dr. Skinner (and there are MANY): “Please  let people know that their support is extremely valuable. Dr Skinner has asked for the hearing to be public and the GMC should accommodate everyone.”

***Are you in the UK? Keep us informed by commenting below.

HIP HOP MISSY ELLIOTT HAD RAI FOR HER GRAVES DISEASE: How many informed thyroid patients groan when they hear news like this concerning the use of RAI (radioactive iodine)! Thyroid patients worldwide bemoan the use of Radioactive Iodine treatment because of its potential for immense side effects. And all over the net, we read that’s just what was done to Missy Elliott in her battle with Graves disease aka hyperthyroidism.  See the People Magazine article here.

Says the Atomic Women website:

Rheumatoid arthritis is also an autoimmune disease. But, fortunately, limbs are not being amputated nor radiated.

Diabetes mellitus is also an autoimmune disease. And, fortunately, the pancreas is not being removed or radiated.

What is the point of irradiating and killing thyroid glands, which are fundamental for life?

We, as thyroid patients worldwide, wish the best for Missy. And we hope that if she is like many who eventually become hypothyroid, she will discover and learn from Stop the Thyroid Madness!

***What was your experience with RAI? Post side effects? Let us know by commenting on this blog post!

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Electrolytes, Stress, A1C and diabetes, FDA, Las Vegas and more!

I’m amazed at lingering problems since being on T4: Though I’ve been on desiccated thyroid for 8 years, and do quite well since correcting low ferritin twice thanks to the lousy T4-only treatment, I discovered that my RBC magnesium is low, as I suspect my RBC potassium is, as well–all probably down due to chronic economic stress from this lousy economy.  But it underscores that we all have to be vigilant and not hesitate to periodically get minerals and electrolytes tested, especially RBC (Red Blood Cells), as well as anything else your doctor recommends, or you read about. Labs you can do yourself are here, then share with your doc. You can read about potassium issues here.

Under stress with the economy or the holidays? When stressed, I love and use the herb Ashwagandha. It’s been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic healing, helping your immune system and stress response.  High dose B-vitamins are said to help counter anxiety and depression. Vitamin C is huge for your adrenals like the B’s, and has been known for years to counter the effects of stress. In fact, stress depletes it, so they state you are wise to raise it when under stress.  (Is Vit. C why I never got adrenal fatigue when I deserved to get it? I always took a lot.) Also recommended include the herbs Valerian Root, Marshmallow, Lemon Balm, Chamomile tea, Passionflower, and more. But first do research on any herbs and talk to your doc.

Hypothyroidism can falsely raise your A1C, implying you have diabetes even with normal blood glucose. Just got word from thyroid/adrenal patient Jackie about this study concerning the A1C test, here.  In turn, those on thyroid treatment saw their A1C fall.  We don’t know what the thyroid meds used were, but imagine even better results if on desiccated thyroid, which many patients report does a much better job than T4, especially in the presence of optimal ferritin/iron and adrenal function.

Don’t be complacent: register yourself: Sheila of TPA-UK is working to create a register of patients who have had continuing hypothyroid symptoms while on T4.  After she creates this register of patients, which right now only involves a couple of questions, she will create the a  Worldwide Register of Counterexamples to Levothyroxine (T4)-Only Therapy for. Register yourself here. This will also run alongside Dr. Gordon Skinner’s Worldwide Register, which you can also be a part of here.

Listen to a new video produced by the FDA about drug shortages here. I wonder what our own 2009 shortages with Armour and Naturethroid played a role in this video? Wonder if the FDA will ever admit that they were partly to blame for this shortage by shutting down the 2009 generics? Has anything been left out of this video?

No, Las Vegas Review-Journal. Hypo get undiagnosed because of the lousy TSH, not “subtle” symptoms. Yes, this journal did a recent article, quoting AACE as stating half of thyroid patients remain undiagnosed. The article then states it’s probably due to symptoms being very “subtle” or “very similar to other health problems such as anemia, fatigue, depression, slow metabolism and a wide array of other diseases.”  GROAN. It would be nice if these articles on hypo got it straight: hypo remains undiagnosed because of the lousy TSH lab test, which too many Endocrinologists worship, and because they fail to noticed the obvious symptoms of a hypothyroid state, which include anemia, fatigue, depression, slow metabolism and a wide array of other diseases. i.e. those ARE the symptoms of hypo, not “other health problems”.  When oh when will reporters DARE to state what patients have learned??  (Oh, and guess who included a link to this article in their email Thyroid Weekly? The Endocrinologist-loving, TSH-loving American Thyroid Association.)

Have a great holiday season!!

Janie

P.S. HO! HO! HO! The publishing company will send a book for you to a friend or loved one for a Christmas present. Go here.

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The story of one little bumper sticker about depression and a life potentially changed!

Reading and responding to my daily emails is a huge job that takes a lot of time. My 92 year old mother-in-law thinks I’m obsessed with my computer. ha!  If only she knew.  But some of those emails stand out in my mind.

As a recent example, one gal wrote to tell me she had suffered from depression for so many years due to her poorly diagnosed and inadequately treated thyroid condition. And because her use of desiccated thyroid had hugely improved her mood, she was inspired by and had purchased the STTM bumper sticker about depression. You can see it here.

And unbeknown to her innocent husband, the bumper sticker went on HIS car.

And just two days later, she explains what happened:  My husband was coming from his cardiac rehab exercises to the shopping center locally, and when he got out of his car,  another car pulled behind him, blocking the lane.

Turns out that the other driver, a man, jumped out and wanted to know what the bumper sticker means.

She continued: My husband figured the guy meant his Marine Corps stickers but no, he meant the thyroid sticker. So my husband says, bewildered ‘What Thyroid sticker’?

After realizing it was there, the other man explains how his wife has been diagnosed with thyroid disease and her dr. wants her on antidepressants.

She said: “My poor hubby only knew that I feel so much better on Natural hormones and I am not as depressed as I was before. All he could tell him was “she got it off the internet”.

I’ll bet he saw the URL on the sticker, and his wife is going to get some life-changing information from Stop the Thyroid Madness.  So we can never underestimate how little things we say, or show, or do are going to make a difference in someone’s life.

I hope each and every one of you are being “thyroid patient advocates” and spreading the word to others. If you like using bumper stickers or t-shirts, go here.

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ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THE STTM SITE: There have been numerous problems with folks getting on STTM the last few weeks. The first problem was due to a software installed by my web designer to prevent attacks by spam bots. That was fixed. But if you visited during that time and use IE, just clear your caches. Others may need to use a different browser.  You then may be able to go back to your original browser.

But since then, more problems have creeped up. It’s called GROWING PAINS. i.e. STTM has become so popular that more problems pop up. And since we have limited resources, we just have to deal with them, one at a time. So please announce on all your groups that STTM has not gone away, that we are working to fix problems related to growing pains,  and to try again if they at first can’t get on. If you want to contribute to the hosting fees, go here:  http://www.dreamhost.com/donate.cgi?id=8074

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TWO SITES YOU NEED TO REGISTER WITH:

1)  http://www.tpa-uk.org.uk/register_of_counterexamples.php A Register of Counterexamples to levothyroxine-only-therapy, set up by Sheila of TPA-UK.  “Counterexamples” means all those symptoms which proved that T4-only meds do NOT work.  She will be using this to get the attention of doctors and authorities in order to re-examine the use of T4-only for all forms and degrees of hypothyroidism.

PLEASE NOTE: This questionnaire is only for those prescribed levothyroxine (T4-only) and who failed to get relief for the elimination of their symptoms, and who then started using a T3 containing hormone (either synthetic or natural). It’s also for those who were denied a diagnosis and treatment, and tried a T3 hormone containing product and found your symptoms became less.

2) http://www.worldthyroidregister.com/ A site established by Dr Gorder Skinner to gather as many signatures as possible to establish a Worldwide standard treatment for thyroid sufferers.