November 13, 2009

Wilson’s Disease Symptoms and Treatments

Posted in Category : Common Ailments

The Wilson thyroid syndrome, coined by Dr. E Denis Wilson, is a condition characterized by thyroid deficiency that responds to treatment consisting of a preparation of triiodothyronine (T3). It refers to the occurrence of symptoms that are nonspecific and common such as low body temperature and normal content of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream. The American Thyroid Association or ATA has done a complete review of this condition and has concluded that there is no scientific proof that supports the prevalence of this syndrome.

The ATA also voiced some concerns regarding certain issues related to Wilson’s syndrome. The factors put forth by this syndrome are not in line with the established and accepted facts regarding thyroid production and metabolism. Triiodothyronine (T3) is one of the thyroid hormones that are present naturally and is produced in certain tissues on the outside of the thyroid gland when thyroxine (T4) is metabolized. Both T3 and T4 are produced in this controlled manner. As such T3 is not advised for thyroid treatment currently in individuals suffering from thyroid deficiency. Treatment involving T4 allows for the production of T3 in the natural manner. Another concern is that the symptoms by which it is supposed to be diagnosed are vague and not very precise. Research has also not come up with any evidence that T3 treatment is effective in treating the non-specific symptoms of Wilson’s syndrome. Treatment involving T3 administration causes highs and lows of T3 content in the bloodstream and tissues of the body. This can result in complications of the cardiovascular system in certain people.

The website of the Wilson thyroid syndrome has 37 symptoms listed for it, all of which result in functional problems for several people. Some of these may be caused by hypothyroidism, in which individuals respond to thyroid hormone treatment. Other symptoms like asthma are not connected to thyroid deficiency at all. Most of these symptoms may generally occur in most people occasionally, which apart from hypothyroidism may be part of other illnesses as well. The ATA has as such not found any scientific basis to back the prevalence of Wilson thyroid syndrome. Diagnosis of Wilson thyroid syndrome is unclear as the guidelines for it are imprecise and this could result in misdiagnosis of other conditions. The ATA has declared that it is open to further research to find out more about what causes the said symptoms in people, in order to determine any possibility that any of them may be caused by thyroid hormone imbalances.