They did it again

I hate it when this happens. A medical standard protocol is decided to be not good and may cause long term harm. I find it frustrating. I go to the doctor and get the best care I can. I do my part to cooperate and take my pills or whatever is decided is best.

Then they change their minds.

For many years, TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) was suppressed as much as possible - to barely traceable levels - maybe 0.3 or 0.4 whatever thingys they measure by. The theory was to keep it as low as possible to prevent possible recurrence of thyroid cancer.

Now they say keeping it that low doesn't provide additional benefit in preventing recurrence but can also contribute to osteoporosis in patients.

"Wang concluded that there's no recurrence benefit with TSH suppression, but an increased risk of harm, particularly for osteoporosis in women, and care should be taken with regard to TSH suppression in these patients who've had thyroidectomy for low-risk disease.

Ronald Koenig, MD, PhD, of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, who was not involved in the study, said the findings "raise the question of whether TSH suppression is in fact necessary."

"More data are needed from a larger series of patients to inform practice guidelines, but these findings are potentially impactful since they highlight an area where revision might be indicated," Koenig told MedPage Today.

While I do have a strong family history of osteoporosis, I was diagnosed with osteopenia, the  precursor to osteoporosis in my late 40's which is very early). Right now it is stable but the usual only trend is downward.

Could this be linked to my suppressed TSH levels for the past 32 years? There is no way to tell at this point. But thanks for making the change an making me doubt my medical treatment.