Dawson Integrative Medical Center, LLC: Clinical Policies and Consent for Sub-Clinical Thyroid Therapy
Desiccated thyroid extract (Armour Thyroid, NP Thyroid, WP Thyroid, Westhroid, NatureThroid) is an extract of thyroid hormone that comes from pigs. It is FDA approved for use in hypothyroidism and in some types of thyroid cancer. The off-label uses have not been evaluated by the FDA and any claims of benefit are purely educated opinions that come from consideration of various medical research studies.
The American Academy of Clinical Endocrinology guidelines do not provide for the use of this medication for anything other than hypothyroidism. For any approved use of this medication, the AACE guidelines also state that the preferred medication is levothyroxine (Synthroid).
Thyroid hormone, in the medical research, has been shown to improve fatigue, fibromyalgia, cholesterol, glucose metabolism, hair loss, weight, and other conditions. It has been used to treat infertility also. The proposed mechanism of improvement of fertility is through treatment of a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Thyroid hormone, in excessive doses can cause elevated blood pressure, anxiety, heart racing, irregular heartbeat, excessive weight loss, and, in very extreme cases, prominence of the eyes (exophthalmos). Thyroid hormone, taken by people who have a normally functioning thyroid gland, for extended periods of time, can cause normal thyroid function to decline, necessitating lifelong treatment with this medication.
AACE guidelines define hypothyroidism as a TSH (lab test, thyroid stimulating hormone) greater than 4. In some cases, TSH greater than 2.5 can be hypothyroidism. If your TSH isn’t above these ranges, then you do NOT have a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. There are other thyroid tests that can be considered. These tests, while helpful in making a treatment decision, are not considered to be the standard.
Once treatment with this medication is begun, you are asked to please call the office with any concerns. If you have any adverse reaction to the medication, stop it and call immediately.
Frequent adjustments are required to fine tune the treatment with this type of medication. Periodic blood tests are necessary to determine if the dose needs to be adjusted.
Goals for treatment with this medication will be discussed at each lab results appointment. If goals are met, then maintenance doses will be discussed. If the treatment is not as effective as anticipated, it might be discontinued. At that time, alternative therapies will be discussed.
You are welcome to seek a second opinion or a specialist consultation. As stated above, understand that other physicians, even specialists, might not agree with or understand the goal of this type of treatment.
If you are late or miss your appointment, you may be subject to a $100 fee. We have a 24 hour cancellation policy.
Services must be paid for at the time of service.
Health insurance may not cover services provided at Dawson Integrative Medical Center, LLC. If you want to seek insurance reimbursement, we would be happy to provide you itemized invoices that you can submit to your insurance company. Prior authorizations will not be completed for insurance approval.
I hereby release and agree to hold harmless Dawson Integrative Medical Center, LLC and any of their physicians, nurses, officers, directors, employees and agents from any and all liability, claims, demands and actions arising or related to any loss, property damage, illness, injury or accident. I acknowledge and agree that I have been given adequate opportunity to review this document and to ask questions. This release and hold harmless agreement is and shall be binding on myself and my heirs, assigns and personal representatives. I have read and agree to the above. My questions have been answered and I understand the treatment and goals.