Page 35 - Summer2009

FRQYHQWLRQDO DSSURDFK LV WKH IDFW WKDW WKH VSHFL¿F Six years later, the Wall Street Journal published this scandalous
brand usually recommended and prescribed is story and Boots was forced to go ahead and allow the publication of the
Synthroid. In the 1990s, the company manufac- article. But to this day, due to physician loyalty from years of “wining
turing Synthroid commissioned University of DQG GLQLQJ ´ 6\QWKURLG LV VWLOO RQH RI WKH WRS WZR WK\UR[LQH 7 SURGXFWV
California at the San Francisco Medical School in sales in the U.S., despite costing a lot more. The other top seller now
to carry out tests on the biological consistency of is Levoxyl, which won the three-way comparison test. This story is one
the product and publish the results on the three egregious example of the business collaboration between pharmaceutical
VDOHV OHDGLQJ 7 EUDQGV DW WKDW WLPH 6\QWKURLG companies, on the one hand, and physicians, medical journals and medical
Levoxyl, and Levothroid. It would appear that schools, on the other, which is in place to serve the interests of these three
%RRWV 6\QWKURLG¶V PDQXIDFWXUHU ZDV VR FRQ¿- powerful parties at the expense of the patients and the public.
dent that Synthroid would come out on top they The series of companies that have owned the Synthroid brand at vari-
were willing to pay for this research. However, ous times (Boots, Knowles and now Abbott Labs) has also been heavily
when Synthroid only came in third, it turned out LQYROYHG LQ WKH FDPSDLJQ WR JHW 7 RQO\ DV WKH RQO\ DFFHSWHG WUHDWPHQW
WKDW WKH\ KDG QRW EHHQ VR FRQ¿GHQW EXVLQHVV for all forms of hypothyroidism, despite the fact that (1) the thyroid gland
wise, that they had not made sure to include a SURGXFHV 7 DV ZHOO DV 7 SDWLHQWV RQ 7 DQG 7 GR EHWWHU DQG DUH PXFK
clause in the contract with UCSF stipulating that PRUH VDWLV¿HG ZLWK WKHLU WUHDWPHQW DQG WKUHH RXW RI WKH IRXU W\SHV RI
%RRWV ZRXOG KDYH WKH ¿QDO VD\ VR RYHU SXEOLFD- K\SRWK\URLGLVP FOHDUO\ UHTXLUH 7 DV ZHOO DV 7 LQ WKHLU WUHDWPHQW DQG
tion of the article! The Journal of the American WKHUH LV QRW RQH VKUHG RI HYLGHQFH WKDW 7 7 FRPELQDWLRQ WUHDWPHQW²WKH
Medical Association (JAMA) accepted the article only, and very successful, type of treatment for hypothyroidism during the
for publication but Boots put the kibosh on its ¿UVW \HDUV RI WKLV WKHUDS\ LQ WKH IRUP RI GHVLFFDWHG DQLPDO WK\URLG WLV-
printing! sue)—has any disadvantages when its use is understood and its monitoring

TESTS FOR THYROID AND RELATED FUNCTIONS

TEST NORMAL RANGE COMMENTS

Free-Thyroxine (T4), by Direct Dialysis method 0.8-2.7ng/dL The only accurate T4 level
Free Triiodothyronine (T3), by Tracer Dialysis 2.3-5.2ng/dL The only accurate T3 level
and the only true measure of thyroid function

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) serum level 0.3-2.5 mIU/L A relative or indirect test,
not definitive of thyroid function.
Total Thyroxine (T4) serum level 4.0-12.0ug/dL Inaccurate test of pre-hormone
Free-Thyroxine (T4), non-dialysis method 0.7-1.8ng/dL Less accurate than dialysis test
Total Tri-Iodo-Thyronine (T3) serum level 100-240ng/dL Inaccurate test for T3 activity
Free Triiodothyronine (T3), Non-dialysis method 2.3-5.2ng/dL Less accurate than dialysis test
T3 Resin Uptake 25-39% Primitive, inaccurate T3 test
T7 or Free Thyroxine Index/ FTI (T3U x T4 level) 1.0-4.0 Slightly better than T3U test
Microsomal TPO Antibodies Titer <35 units

Organic (Protein-bound) Iodine level 8.0-16.0 The only level that is necessary
Inorganic Iodide level 1.0-4.0 Valuable if too high, indication to avoid
inorganic iodine (iodide)
Total Iodine level 9.0-20.0 Mixed conglomeration of the 2

Selenium serum level 140-280 Normal level needed
Zinc level 70-150 Normal level needed
Copper level 70-150 Make sure not too high
Mercury level <5 Make sure not too high
Aluminum level <7 Make sure not too high

Note: I treat metal and mineral toxicities with with oral chelation pills, available from supplement companies.

SUMMER 2009 Wise Traditions 33