Wilson syndrome, also known as Wilson’s temperature syndrome, is a controversial diagnosis of thyroid gland dysfunction indicated by subnormal body temperatures and other nonspecific symptoms. It is not accepted by conventional medicine and has been challenged by the American Thyroid Association. Despite this, it continues to be used in some alternative medical practices.
Wilson syndrome, also known as Wilson’s temperature syndrome, is a controversial diagnosis of thyroid gland dysfunction indicated by subnormal body temperatures and other nonspecific symptoms, such as weight gain, fatigue, and hair loss. Proponents of the Wilson syndrome diagnosis argue that, in some cases, the body is unable to properly convert the endocrine system hormone thyroxine (T4) to trilodothyronine (T3). Some alternative medicine practitioners arrive at this diagnosis even though the patient’s thyroid function appears normal using standard thyroid activity tests. Conventional medicine does not accept Wilson syndrome as scientifically valid and has raised concerns about the safety and efficacy of prescribing extended-release T3 supplements in response to diagnosis.
E. Denis Wilson MD, a Florida physician, first used the term “Wilson syndrome” in 1990 as an explanation for a wide variety of symptoms including headaches, depression, low sex drive, and many more. Wilson maintained that the syndrome can be indicated by “virtually every symptom known to man.” When patients respond well to a prescription for extended-release T3, Wilson viewed it as confirmation of the diagnosis. Wilson argued that the syndrome is primarily caused by stress and can persist long after the stress has been relieved.
In 1992, Dr. Wilson’s medical license was suspended for six months and he was fined $10,000 US Dollars (USD) by the Florida Board of Medicine for “bald” patients using a “bogus diagnosis.” He was ordered to undergo 100 hours of continuing medical education and to refrain from prescribing thyroid supplements based on a diagnosis of Wilson syndrome. The syndrome was also challenged by the American Thyroid Association (ATA), which found that Wilson’s biochemical theories conflicted with established knowledge about thyroid hormone production and resulted in imprecise and non-specific symptoms.
The ATA went on to refute Wilson’s claim that the normal average body temperature upon waking is 98.5°F (36.94°C), claiming it is 97.5°F (36.39°C) instead. In a 2005 statement, the ATA noted that “a thorough review of the biomedical literature found no scientific evidence to support the existence of ‘Wilson syndrome’.” The ATA noted that the many nonspecific symptoms that Wilson attributed to his diagnosis are commonly associated with social and psychological stress, anxiety, and depression. Wilson’s symptom cluster has also been noted to appear in alternative diagnoses of other conditions, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and Epstein-Barr virus syndrome.
Wilson’s temperature syndrome continues to be used in some alternative medical practices. It is also taught as part of the curriculum in some naturopathic medical schools. Although the syndrome does not have the support of orthodox medicine, there is certification from physicians and naturopaths in the use of Wilson syndrome diagnosis. There is even a dedicated website to educate consumers and healthcare professionals about Wilson’s temperature syndrome.
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