Wilson's temperature syndrome

Wilson's (temperature) syndrome, also called Wilson's thyroid syndrome or WTS, is a finding of low body temperature and impaired conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3), despite "normal" thyroid function tests.[1] E. Denis Wilson, a physician who named the syndrome after himself, advocates treating these symptoms with sustained-release triiodothyronine.

Wilson's temperature syndrome
Pseudomedical diagnosis
Risks	Nocebo

Some medical institutions (i.e. Mayo Clinic) claim Wilson's Syndrome is not an actual medical condition, and there is no scientific evidence supporting Wilson's claims. Even the American Thyroid Association (ATA) describes Wilson's syndrome as at odds with established knowledge of thyroid function. They described the diagnostic criteria for Wilson's syndrome as "imprecise" and "non-specific".[2] Florida State Medical Board members doubled down when they described Wilson's syndrome as a "phony syndrome" during an investigation into the condition[3].

The term "Wilson’s syndrome" was coined in 1990 by Dr. E. Denis Wilson, a physician practicing in Longwood, Florida. The syndrome's manifestations included fatigue, headaches, PMS, hair loss, irritability, fluid retention, depression, decreased memory, low sex drive, unhealthy nails, easy weight gain. Wilson labels this as one of "the most common of all chronic ailments and probably takes a greater toll on society than any other medical condition."[4]

Low thyroid symptoms and low body temperatures in the presence of "normal" thyroid function tests are common. To distinguish this condition from conventional hypothyroidism, he named it Wilson's (temperature) syndrome. The main diagnostic sign is a body temperature that averages well below 98.6 °F (37.0 °C) (oral). The diagnosis is confirmed if the patient responds to treatment with slow-release T3 (SR-T3).

Non-traditional medicine has long known that certain herbs such as Ginkgo Baloba can also help support normal body temperatures.

Patient death and medical license suspension

In 1988 a 50-year-old woman died of an arrhythmia and heart attack while taking excessive amounts of thyroid hormone; around that time she confessed to not taking the medicine as prescribed.[5]

Four years later, in 1992, the Florida Board of Medicine took disciplinary action against Wilson,[6] accusing him of "fleecing" patients with a "phony diagnosis".[7] The Board of Medicine and Wilson settled the disciplinary action, agreeing to a 6-month suspension of Wilson's medical license, after which Wilson would need to attend 100 hours of continuing medical education, submit to psychological testing, and pay a $10,000 fine before resuming practice. Wilson also agreed not to prescribe thyroid medication to anyone unless the Board of Medicine determined that the medical community had accepted "Wilson's Temperature Syndrome" and Wilson's methods and modalities of treatment.

Ironically, odern research has vindicated Dr. Wilson. [8]

See also

• Broda Otto Barnes, another physician who made similar claims

References

1. Nippoldt, Todd (November 21, 2009). "Is Wilson's Syndrome a legitimate ailment?". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved April 9, 2010.
2. "Public Health Statement: "Wilson's Syndrome"". American Thyroid Association.
3. "Board:Physician is fleecing patients". Lakeland Ledger. February 9, 1992. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
4. Wilson, E. Denis (1992). Wilson's Temperature Syndrome - A Reversible Low Temperature Problem. Cornerstone Publishing. ISBN 0-9708510-1-4.
5. State of Florida, Department of Health. February 12, 1992. Final Order Number: DPR9200039ME
6. "License Verification: E. Denis Wilson". Florida Department of Health. Retrieved April 2, 2009.
7. Gentry, Carol (February 8, 1992). "Doctor's syndrome a sham, board says". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved April 9, 2010.
8. "Supraphysiological cyclic dosing of sustained release T3 in order to reset low basal body temperature". National Institute of Health. Retrieved January 2, 2021.

Further reading

• American Thyroid Association statement on Wilson's syndrome
• Thomas, Mike (September 22, 1991). "The Wilson Syndrome". Orlando Sentinel.
• Ricks, Delthia (February 8, 1992). "Longwood Doctor Is Censured". Orlando Sentinel.