A Clarification of Our Beliefs About Fibromyalgia---Fibromyalgia and Hypothyroidism

Fibromyalgia, Hypothyroidism, Thyroid Hormone Resistance

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The Metabolic Treatment
of Fibromyalgia
by Dr. John C. Lowe
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What Our Research Has Really Shown:
A Clarification for Our Critics and Supporters

Dr. John C. Lowe & Dr. Gina Honeyman-Lowe
October 25, 2001

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Our research group has repeatedly published a precise statement of our research findings. Despite this, our critics often incorrectly state that we believe all fibromyalgia is caused by hypothyroidism. On the other hand, our supporters often incorrectly state that we believe all fibromyalgia is caused by thyroid hormone resistance. By these statements, many of our critics and supporters contribute to the widespread misunderstanding of what we’ve actually found and oft reported. For clarification, then, let us restate the conclusions to which our studies have led us.

! Of the fibromyalgia patients we've tested, roughly 12% have had lab test results consistent with primary hypothyroidism.

! Of the patients we’ve tested, about 44% have had test results consistent with central hypothyroidism.

! The remaining 44% of fibromyalgia patients we’ve tested have had lab results consistent with normal interaction of the pituitary and thyroid glands. Of this roughly 44% of patients, we have incontrovertible laboratory proof that about 75% have partial cellular resistance to thyroid hormone.

! Together, lab test and treatment results of fibromyalgia patients we’ve studied strongly point to a conclusion: Around 90% of our patients have had thyroid disease of one form or another.

! Most of the 90% of patients with evidence of thyroid disease also have one or more other metabolism-impairing factors impinging on them. These other factors compound the effects of hypothyroidism and/or thyroid hormone resistance in causing the patients’ fibromyalgia symptoms. The most common of these other factors are (1) poor diet (most commonly one that causes blood sugar and cellular energy abnormalities), (2) nutritional deficiencies, (3) poor physical fitness, (4) adrenal and sex hormone problems, and (5) the use of metabolism-impeding medications. To get most patients fully and lastingly well, we must treat them with the proper form and dose of thyroid hormone. However, we must also correct or control the other factors.

We appreciate the growing number of supporters of our beliefs among patients, doctors, and researchers. And we appreciate just as much well-conceived and constructive criticism, since it’s the lifeblood of scientific advancement. We feel, however, that support and criticism are most valuable when inspired by what we’ve actually found in our studies and reported in publications. For this reason, we hope both our critics and supporters take the time to clearly understand the five statements of our findings above.

Our conclusions about the relation of fibromyalgia to thyroid disease are spelled out in an article published in a 2000 issue of the French medical journal Méditerranée Médical: Médecine du Sud-Est.