Pseudo-Endocrine Disorders: Recognition, Management and Action

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Abstract “Pseudo-endocrine disorders” refers to proposed conditions that have never been scientifically proven to exist but, due to widespread misinformation available on the Internet and other media, are relatively commonly diagnosed and treated with equally unproven and sometimes dangerous treatments. Adrenal fatigue is a non-existent condition that supposedly results from adrenal exhaustion and atrophy due to chronic stress and has been promoted as a potential explanation for a variety of symptoms. Testing consists of non-validated online surveys and salivary cortisol profiles while treatment is not evidence-based at best and can be dangerous. Wilson’s syndrome and reverse T3 syndrome are also non-existent conditions that supposedly result from impaired thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3) conversion and competition of excess reverse T3 (RT3) with T3 for T3 receptors. Testing involves measurement of axillary temperature and treatment consists of T3 therapy, often at very high and dangerous doses. Hypogonadism (“Low T”) is frequently diagnosed in “Men’s Health” clinics and other venues without actual hormone testing or further evaluation and is often treated with supraphysiologic testosterone therapy that suppresses endogenous gonadal testosterone and sperm production, leads to a lifelong need for testosterone therapy, and may have numerous other harmful effects. Low dose naltrexone (LDN) therapy has been proposed as a treatment for multiple disorders including autoimmune conditions and other disorders resulting from aberrant immune mechanisms but there is no valid evidence that LDN has any benefits. Management of patients with pseudo-endocrine disorders must involve careful listening, patient education, healthy lifestyle measures and honesty, encouragement, and compassion.