Monday
20Apr2009
Wilson's Syndrome
“What is Wilson’s syndrome? My daughter-in-law has this and I’d never heard of it before.”
I’m not surprised you’ve never heard of it before because the vast majority of medical experts don’t believe it is a real medical condition.
It was first described in the early 1990s by a Florida physician named Denis Wilson. Dr. Wilson claims that low thyroid function causes symptoms that include headaches, depression, memory loss, weight gain, sexual dysfunction and hair loss. He claims that it is one of the most common medical conditions in the world—1 in 10 Americans suffers from it. Naturally, it’s also one of the most commonly misdiagnosed.
In 1999, Wilson’s medical license was suspended after a patient “overdosed” on thyroid hormone and died. To date, Wilson has not met the terms of his agreement to regain his medical license and, instead, operates a pro-Wilson-Syndrome web site.
What Skeptics Say About Wilson’s Syndrome
The American Thyroid Association has this to say about Wilson’s Syndrome: The American Thyroid Association has found no scientific evidence supporting the existence of “Wilson’s syndrome.” The theory proposed to explain this condition is at odds with established facts about thyroid hormone. Diagnostic criteria for “Wilson’s syndrome” are imprecise and could lead to misdiagnosis of many other conditions.
Wilson’s Syndrome vs. Wilson’s Disease
Wilson’s syndrome is sometimes mistaken for a condition known as Wilson’s disease. This one is a very real and medically-recognized condition. It’s a genetic disorder characterized by an inability to rid the body to excess copper.
References:
Wilson, E. (1996). Wilson’s Syndrome: The Miracle of Feeling Well
.
Florida Departme to Wilson Disease Association. (2009). Retrieved from WilsonsDisease.org, April 20, 2009.
Barrett, S. (2009). Be Wary of “Fad” Diagnoses. Retrieved from Quackwatch.com, April 20, 2009.
I’m not surprised you’ve never heard of it before because the vast majority of medical experts don’t believe it is a real medical condition.
In 1999, Wilson’s medical license was suspended after a patient “overdosed” on thyroid hormone and died. To date, Wilson has not met the terms of his agreement to regain his medical license and, instead, operates a pro-Wilson-Syndrome web site.
What Skeptics Say About Wilson’s Syndrome
The American Thyroid Association has this to say about Wilson’s Syndrome: The American Thyroid Association has found no scientific evidence supporting the existence of “Wilson’s syndrome.” The theory proposed to explain this condition is at odds with established facts about thyroid hormone. Diagnostic criteria for “Wilson’s syndrome” are imprecise and could lead to misdiagnosis of many other conditions.
Wilson’s Syndrome vs. Wilson’s Disease
Wilson’s syndrome is sometimes mistaken for a condition known as Wilson’s disease. This one is a very real and medically-recognized condition. It’s a genetic disorder characterized by an inability to rid the body to excess copper.
References:
Wilson, E. (1996). Wilson’s Syndrome: The Miracle of Feeling Well
.Florida Departme to Wilson Disease Association. (2009). Retrieved from WilsonsDisease.org, April 20, 2009.
Barrett, S. (2009). Be Wary of “Fad” Diagnoses. Retrieved from Quackwatch.com, April 20, 2009.
Mon, April 20, 2009
Reader Comments (1)
As you know, there has been a cloud of doubt cast over Dr. Wilson and his work by the American Thyroid Association and the listing on QuackWatch. The QuackWatch listing, if you believe as we do, is a slap in the face to a real pioneer.
When a sincere sufferer Googles “Wilson Syndrome” they are sure to find Dr. Wilson’s website. But some of those will also read the ATA posting and back away. My wife was one of those. It is perfectly valid for the ATA to take a position and for that to be public. But, wouldn’t you agree, there needs to be something to counterbalance their stance. People deserve to see two sides.
I am a member of a small group of doctors and lay people who sat down one weekend, wrote a response to the ATA, and launched it as a website. Our goal now is to increase its visibility.
If you share our desire to see Wilson’s Syndrome get a reasonable hearing you can help. Place a link on your website. The link will not only be helpful to your website customers, but it will also raise Google’s placement position so that others will find the site as well.
Here’s is a suggested HTML link
Wilson’s Syndrome: A Response to the American Thyroid Association
Two ticked off docs and an ordinary citizen from New England
J. Hallock Abrams
ATAResponse@gmail.com