Caution: Falsely Diagnosed 'Wilson's Syndrome' Cases
Endocrinologist Dr. Marwan Hamaty cautions that fatigue, a common complaint among his patients, can be challenging to address due to its myriad possible causes. These range from medical conditions like sleep apnea and hypothyroidism to psychological factors such as depression and lifestyle issues like long working hours, night shifts, and lack of vacations.
When fatigue's source remains unclear, Dr. Hamaty notes, patients may turn to the Internet for answers, sometimes leading to self-diagnosis based on unreliable or unverified information. One such example is "Wilson's syndrome," a term promoted by a few practitioners to describe a collection of vague symptoms, including fatigue, hair loss, and depression.
However, the legitimacy of "Wilson's syndrome" has been rejected and deemed unacceptable as a diagnosis by the American Thyroid Association, as well as by the majority of physicians. Here's why:
- Lack of Scientific Support: There is no medical literature to substantiate the existence of "Wilson's syndrome." Blood tests can easily verify or rule out any issues with thyroid function, allowing physicians and patients to explore other possible diagnoses.
- Disputed Diagnostic Tools: One of Wilson's main tools for diagnosis, a body temperature below 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celsius, has been disproven by newer studies. The average person today reportedly runs a little cooler than this—between 97.5 F and 97.9 F—with a normal temperature range widening to between 97 and 99 degrees in some cases.
- Nonspecific Symptoms: The symptoms associated with "Wilson's syndrome," such as fatigue, migraines, premenstrual syndrome, and weight gain, are common and can be attributed to numerous other conditions.
- Potential Adverse Effects: Treatment for "Wilson's syndrome," which may involve doses of T3, a hormone used to treat actual hypothyroidism, can lead to side effects like insomnia, irregular heart rate, high blood pressure, bone loss, muscle loss, and heart muscle loss. The longer one uses such medication and the higher the dosage, the harder it becomes to reverse these negative effects, and treating nonexistent thyroid conditions can overlook the real cause of symptoms.
In conclusion, Dr. Hamaty emphasizes the importance of focusing on the legitimate medical and psychological causes of fatigue. He advises patients to approach "Wilson's syndrome" skeptically, as it is not proven to exist and lacks support from the medical community. Misconceptions surrounding "Wilson's syndrome" can lead to incorrect self-diagnosis and potentially harmful treatments.
- Dr. Hamaty urges individuals to focus on the legitimate causes of fatigue, such as medical conditions, psychological factors, lifestyle, fitness and exercise, mental health, nutrition, and thyroid function, rather than relying on unproven theories like "Wilson's syndrome."
- The American Thyroid Association and the majority of physicians have rejected "Wilson's syndrome" as an unacceptable diagnosis due to the lack of medical literature supporting its existence.
- "Wilson's syndrome," which is promoted by a few practitioners, lacks scientific support and reliable diagnostic tools, making it difficult to confirm and rule out as a cause of symptoms like fatigue, migraines, and depression.
- Treatment for "Wilson's syndrome," which may involve T3 hormone therapy, can lead to potential side effects like insomnia, irregular heart rate, high blood pressure, bone loss, muscle loss, and heart muscle loss, which could be harmful if one is not actually experiencing a thyroid condition.
