…Production of TSH follows a circadian rhythm that is it follows a 24-hour cycle with regular fluctuations.  TSH production peaks at its highest level between 2:00 and 4:00 am each morning and then drops reaching its low point between 4 and 8 pm in the evening.  Though this phenomenon is well known the actual extent of these fluctuations was much greater than was previously thought.

In this current study, researchers from the Federal Endocrinological Research Centre in Moscow, tested 20 women with subclinical hypothyroidism.  Morning and afternoon TSH levels were measured and compared.    The median morning TSH value for women with subclinical hypothyroidism was 5.83 mU/L.  Their afternoon median TSH dropped down to 3.79 mU/L.  Following the current guidelines for diagnosis hypothyroidism would have been diagnosed in only half of these cases when tested in the afternoon. 

These new data explain why many people who appear to have symptoms of hypothyroidism have been told their test results were normal, that they are fine, when in truth they hypothyroid.  TSH levels measured in blood samples drawn in the afternoon should be viewed with caution, as they may be falsely low and appear normal.  Samples for all thyroid tests should be collected first thing in the morning. 

It gets more complicated than this.  Many practitioners consider the current normal range for TSH values to be too broad.  Rather than judging TSH levels above 5 as hypothryoidism, some consider the upper limit of normal to be as low as 3.0, while researchers looking at what is called sub-clinical hypothyroidism define the condition by a TSH greater than 2.5.  Apparently that is the level at which risk for cardiovascular disease increases significantly.

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Good diet, sufficient calories, low stress (i.e. low cortisol, which interferes with conversion), adequate zinc and selenium and l-tyrosine all help in T4-T3 conversion. If you are taking T4 and still do not feel that good, one or more of these factors may be less than optimal. For me, adding l-tyrosine about one hour after a light breakfast has helped. ABN

A recent study published in Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology has explored the potential of cannabinol (CBN) to improve sleep quality. The study provides preliminary evidence that a small dose of CBN can significantly reduce nighttime awakenings and overall sleep disturbances, marking the first placebo-controlled investigation into CBN’s effects on sleep.

Sleep problems, including difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and experiencing daytime fatigue, are widespread. Traditional treatments, such as medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy, often come with limitations, including side effects and accessibility issues. Consequently, many people turn to over-the-counter sleep aids or intoxicating substances like alcohol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, these can also have undesirable side effects.

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A new study, led by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and funded in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), analyzed more than 220 mother-child pairs, collecting data on fluoride levels during pregnancy and child behavior at age three. The researchers found that a 0.68 milligram per liter increase in fluoride exposure was associated with nearly double the chance of a child showing neurobehavioral problems in a range considered close to or at a level to meet the criteria for clinical diagnosis.

The findings were published on May 20 in the medical journal JAMA Network Open.

“Women with higher fluoride exposure levels in their bodies during pregnancy tended to rate their 3-year-old children higher on overall neurobehavioral problems and internalizing symptoms, including emotional reactivity, anxiety, and somatic complaints,” said Tracy Bastain, PhD, an associate professor of clinical population and public health sciences and senior author of the study.

These population-level findings add to existing evidence from animal studies showing that fluoride can harm neurodevelopment, as well as data from studies conducted in Canada, Mexico, and other countries showing that prenatal exposure to fluoride is linked with a lower IQ in early childhood. The researchers hope the new findings help convey the risks of fluoride consumption during pregnancy to policymakers, healthcare providers, and the public.

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