-----Original Message-----
From: McNeely, Michael
To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
Cc: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: Hypothyroid with normal tests
Date: March 16, 1999 11:29PM
Not so John! We are invaded from the south by "Wilson's Syndrome". This
has nothing to do with copper or ceruloplasmin but is an entity of low
body temperature, normal thyroid tests, and confused physicians. They
even have their own foundation. Go to http://www.wilsonsyndrome.com/
to learn more.
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Here's a little more information on Wilson's syndrome which I culled
from Quackwatch
( http://www.quackwatch.com ) :
"Wilson's Syndrome" entered the health marketplace in 1990, when E.
Denis Wilson, M.D., of
Longwood, Florida, coined its name. Its supposed manifestations include
fatigue, headaches, PMS, hair
loss, irritability, fluid retention, depression, decreased memory, low
sex drive, unhealthy nails, easy
weight gain, and about sixty other symptoms. However, Wilson claims that
his "syndrome" can cause
"virtually every symptom known to man." He also claims that it is "the
most common of all chronic"
ailments and probably takes a greater toll on society than any other
medical condition." Wilson claims
to have discovered a type of abnormally low thyroid function in which
routine blood tests of thyroid are
often normal. He states that the condition is "especially brought on by
stress" and can persist after the
stress has passed. He claims that the main diagnostic sign is a body
temperature that averages below
98.6° F (oral), and that the diagnosis is confirmed if the patient
responds to treatment with a "special
thyroid hormone treatment." (Note: Although "Wilson's Syndrome" is a
bogus diagnosis, there is a
Wilson's disease, a rare condition caused by a defect in the body's
ability to metabolize copper.)
In 1991, a 50-year-old woman died after excessive amounts of thyroid
hormone prescribed by Wilson
had caused rapid heartbeat that led to a heart attack. According to
Wilson, the patient's daughter filed
a malpractice suit, which was settled out of court for $250,000. In
1992, the Florida Board of Medicine
fined him $10,000, suspended his license for six months, and ordered him
to undergo psychological
testing. If his license is reinstated, he would also be required to take
courses in endocrinology, the
scientific method, and medical ethics. As far as I know, Wilson has not
resumed practice. However, he
still operates the "Wilson's Syndrome Foundation," a "900" number
"support line" for doctors and
patients, and a toll-free number (800-621-7006) for information about
his theories and publications. (An
article on his Web site states that he thinks he can be more eeffective
by educating the public. The
more likely explanation is that if he resumed practice, the state
medical board would permanently
revoke his license.) Since at least one health-food magazine has carried
an article about "Wilson's
Syndrome" written by a "holistic" physician who is also a radio
talk-show host, this fad diagnosis
appears to be making inroads into the "alternative" medical community.
(Wilson's Web site claims that
"hundreds, perhaps thousands of doctors" who are reproducing his
"fantastic results.") In September
1997, Richard A. Marschall, N.D., a naturopath licensed in the State of
Washington, was charged with
unprofessional conduct for allegedly diagnosing and treating between 75
and 100 patients for Wilson's
Syndrome solely via telephone, mail, and/or through the Internet.
( http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/fad.html )
***********************************************************
Wolfgang Schneider
Division of Medical Biochemistry, Montreal General Hospital
1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1A4, Canada
Phone (514)-937-6011 x 2782 Fax (514) 934-8086
Email [log in to unmask]
Manufactured only with 100% recyclable electrons
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