Low Basal Body Temperature: implications for the RHN practitioner.

Upon reviewing the Friedman et al study on the use of SR-T3 in clinical practice

http://www.wtsmed.com/Assets/PDF/T3Article.pdf , the following study conclusions may be of interest to the RHN.

1.  The authors of the study explain that decreased T3 function can decrease serotonin and growth hormone levels and increase the number of adrenal hormone receptor sites. They postulate that these effects may explain some of the symptoms of Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome (WTS).

2.  Symptoms of WTS which may include symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, depression, headaches, insomnia and muscle aches are impossible to tell apart from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) except for one important difference: WTS requires low body temperature. 

3.  Be aware that some people with WTS might only experience mild fatigue and some may only have no more than one other CFS-type symptom.

4.  Low body temperature in itself is not indicative of WTS rather, it is considered a biological marker that was shown in their small study to change as the study subject progressed from illness to health.

5.  Clients may present with CFS symptoms including normal TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels as determined in lab test results ordered by their MD. This can be referred as euthyroid hypometabolism (sluggish metabolism in the presence of normal levels of TSH).
 

6.  It is important that the RHN who is consulting a client who presents this symptomotology coupled with a low basal body temperature* be referred to a qualified naturopath.  It would help if the naturopath is familiar with the nuances of decreased T3 function.

If a client presents with the symptoms of CFS along with a normal basal body temperature, the RHN would be prudent to ask the client about the occurrence of any prior trauma (emotional, psychological, physical), assess bowel ecology, malabsorption issues, adrenal fatigue, etc.  Supporting, not detoxifying the body systems, would be indicated in this case.

For more information:  www.wtsmed.com