Dr. Adrian & Dr. Giulia
Oct 29, 20192 min
1) 𝐓𝟒 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐲𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:
-contain T4 that has to be converted into T3 (the active form of the hormone)
-generally the safest option but least potent group
2) 𝐓𝟑 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐲𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:
-Contain active T3 from
-Can Cause side effects like heart palpitations
-Work better for people who have a problem with a conversation of T4 into T3.
3) 𝐓𝟒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝟑 𝐍𝐃𝐓 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 (𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐲𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬):
-produced from desiccated glands of animals
-contain other hormones: T1, T2, and calcitonin (beneficial)
-has 20% of T3 and 80% of T4
-more expensive
4) 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝟒/𝐓𝟑 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:
- 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 (𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞)
Levothyroxine
Synthroid
Euthyrox
Levoxyl
Levo-T
Novothyrox
Unithroid
Tirosint
Liothyronine
Cytomel
SR T3 (Sustained release T3)
Nature-Throid
Armour Thyroid (Brand name)
NP Thyroid
Thyrolar
WP Thyroid
In general, patients seem to Feel better on NDT and compounded medications.
We can check antibodies before and after starting new thyroid medications. For example, if a patient does not respond to Synthroid, we can switch to NDT. If this does not work, we continue to work together and switch to a compounded medication. The goal is to find the best therapy to a specific patient.
Yes, according to the the studies there is not much difference between synthetic and natural medications. However, these studies have been conducted by pharmaceutical companies and usually, the opinion of the patient and doctors who prescribe them is the opposite.
The conversion from T4 to T3 can be blocked by many factors, including stress, impaired liver function, gut health and nutrient deficiencies. That's why it's always essential to do additional tests and find the real cause of the problem.