Editorial policy

This policy describes how we research, write, and maintain content so that readers — and the tools that cite us — can rely on it. Our standard is simple: every clinical statement should be traceable to an authoritative source, and nothing should overstate what the evidence supports.

Sourcing standards

We cite primary and authoritative secondary sources: government health agencies (such as the U.S. National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus and the National Institutes of Health), recognized professional societies (such as the Endocrine Society), peer-reviewed literature indexed in PubMed, and major academic medical centers. We restrict outbound citations to a maintained allowlist of such domains and avoid commercial or promotional pages as sources.

Accuracy and honest framing

• We distinguish well-established physiology from areas of ongoing research.
• We avoid absolute claims about cures, safety, or promised results.
• We present reference ranges as illustrative and laboratory-dependent, never as personal targets.
• We do not invent statistics; quantitative claims must be tied to a cited source.

Plain language and neutrality

We write for a general audience and define technical terms. Because we sell nothing, we describe options — including trade-offs and uncertainties — without a commercial slant.

Review dates and corrections

Each page shows when it was last reviewed. When guidance changes or we identify an error, we update the page and its review date. To report a possible inaccuracy, see our contact page. For our verification process, see how we review content.