Thyroid & Hashimoto's
Your thyroid is the butterfly shaped gland that sits in your throat above the collarbone. It secretes the hormones T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin which travel via the bloodstream to tissues all over the body.
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Thyroid hormone regulates the body’s metabolic rate controlling heart, muscle, digestive function, brain development and bone maintenance.
Hypothyroidism - low thyroid function
When your thyroid isn’t functioning correctly it can affect your entire body.
Symptoms of LOW thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism):
Fatigue, feeling cold, hair loss, skin dryness, weight gain, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, brittle nails, constipation, muscle weakness, impaired memory and brain fog.
Symptoms of TOO MUCH thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism):
Unexpected weight loss, rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating and irritability, insomnia, diarrhoea, hair loss, muscle weakness.
Low thyroid symptoms are very common and affect women more than men.
Oftentimes people are prescribed thyroid hormone which can improve symptoms and get your thyroid back on track. But for some, conventional thyroid medications don’t seem to work well. For these people, natural desiccated thyroid extract or NDT (also known as Armour Thyroid in the US) can be an alternate option.
Levothyroxine (also known as T4) is the predominant thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland, and the synthetic form is the most common prescription medication for thyroid hormone replacement. Before this form was available, desiccated animal thyroid extract was the only treatment for hypothyroidism. Some people who continue to have symptoms of hypothyroidism when taking the synthetic form report improvement in symptoms when switched to natural desiccated thyroid extract (NDT).(1)
Natural desiccated thyroid extract is the whole, dried, and powdered form of animal sourced thyroid gland (usually porcine origin). It must meet United States Pharmacopeial (USP) standards for quality and amount of T3 and T4. Natural desiccated thyroid extract contains a mixture of predominantly T4 and T3, as well as T1 and T2. It is also known as Armour Thyroid by its US brand name.
Liothyronine (also known as T3) is the most active form of thyroid hormone. T4 is converted to T3 at the site of action. T3 can also be low in some people with hypothyroid symptoms. Replacement of T3 is required in much smaller amounts than T4 because it is stronger than T4. T3 has a very short duration of action in the body, so utilising T3 as a slower release preparation can improve symptoms.
Reference:
Hoang TD, Olsen CH, Mai VQ, Clyde PW, Shakir MK. Desiccated thyroid extract compared with levothyroxine in the treatment of hypothyroidism: a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013 May;98(5):1982-90. doi: 10.1210/jc.2012-4107. Epub 2013 Mar 28. PMID: 23539727.
Got questions about low thyroid function or not sure if your current thyroid medication is right for you? Book a consult with our thyroid pharmacist who will work with you to make sure your treatment is right for you. - Book a consult
Want to know more about compounded thyroid medications? Drop us a line. - Contact us page
Do you have a prescription for a compounded thyroid preparation? Upload a photo of your script here and we will get back to you with a quote ASAP.
Hashimoto’s Autoimmune thyroid
What a rollercoaster Hashimoto’s can be! This autoimmune condition of the thyroid gland can have you feeling hypothyroid (low) one minute, and hyperthyroid (high) the next.
In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis production of thyroid antibodies can wreak havoc on the thyroid gland itself, as well as impair how your body utilises thyroid hormone.
The worst part is that all of your regular thyroid lab results can look perfectly normal, but you know you are feeling terrible!
Treatment may include personalised combinations of T4 (levothyroxine) and T3 (liothyronine). Often T3 is helpful if compounded into modified release capsules as it has a very short duration of action in the body.
There are many nutrient and lifestyle interventions to consider in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Integrative thyroid testing can uncover thyroid antibody levels that may not be able to be requested under Medicare restrictions. Our hormone pharmacist Tahnee Simpson helps clients with integrative testing, diet and nutrient recommendations, and can work with your GP to recommend treatment if this is what you need.
Thyroid hormone regulates the body’s metabolic rate controlling heart, muscle, digestive function, brain development and bone maintenance.
Hypothyroidism - low thyroid function
When your thyroid isn’t functioning correctly it can affect your entire body.
Symptoms of LOW thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism):
Fatigue, feeling cold, hair loss, skin dryness, weight gain, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, brittle nails, constipation, muscle weakness, impaired memory and brain fog.
Symptoms of TOO MUCH thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism):
Unexpected weight loss, rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating and irritability, insomnia, diarrhoea, hair loss, muscle weakness.
Low thyroid symptoms are very common and affect women more than men.
Oftentimes people are prescribed thyroid hormone which can improve symptoms and get your thyroid back on track. But for some, conventional thyroid medications don’t seem to work well. For these people, natural desiccated thyroid extract or NDT (also known as Armour Thyroid in the US) can be an alternate option.
Levothyroxine (also known as T4) is the predominant thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland, and the synthetic form is the most common prescription medication for thyroid hormone replacement. Before this form was available, desiccated animal thyroid extract was the only treatment for hypothyroidism. Some people who continue to have symptoms of hypothyroidism when taking the synthetic form report improvement in symptoms when switched to natural desiccated thyroid extract (NDT).(1)
Natural desiccated thyroid extract is the whole, dried, and powdered form of animal sourced thyroid gland (usually porcine origin). It must meet United States Pharmacopeial (USP) standards for quality and amount of T3 and T4. Natural desiccated thyroid extract contains a mixture of predominantly T4 and T3, as well as T1 and T2. It is also known as Armour Thyroid by its US brand name.
Liothyronine (also known as T3) is the most active form of thyroid hormone. T4 is converted to T3 at the site of action. T3 can also be low in some people with hypothyroid symptoms. Replacement of T3 is required in much smaller amounts than T4 because it is stronger than T4. T3 has a very short duration of action in the body, so utilising T3 as a slower release preparation can improve symptoms.
Reference:
Hoang TD, Olsen CH, Mai VQ, Clyde PW, Shakir MK. Desiccated thyroid extract compared with levothyroxine in the treatment of hypothyroidism: a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013 May;98(5):1982-90. doi: 10.1210/jc.2012-4107. Epub 2013 Mar 28. PMID: 23539727.
Got questions about low thyroid function or not sure if your current thyroid medication is right for you? Book a consult with our thyroid pharmacist who will work with you to make sure your treatment is right for you. - Book a consult
Want to know more about compounded thyroid medications? Drop us a line. - Contact us page
Do you have a prescription for a compounded thyroid preparation? Upload a photo of your script here and we will get back to you with a quote ASAP.
Hashimoto’s Autoimmune thyroid
What a rollercoaster Hashimoto’s can be! This autoimmune condition of the thyroid gland can have you feeling hypothyroid (low) one minute, and hyperthyroid (high) the next.
In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis production of thyroid antibodies can wreak havoc on the thyroid gland itself, as well as impair how your body utilises thyroid hormone.
The worst part is that all of your regular thyroid lab results can look perfectly normal, but you know you are feeling terrible!
Treatment may include personalised combinations of T4 (levothyroxine) and T3 (liothyronine). Often T3 is helpful if compounded into modified release capsules as it has a very short duration of action in the body.
There are many nutrient and lifestyle interventions to consider in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Integrative thyroid testing can uncover thyroid antibody levels that may not be able to be requested under Medicare restrictions. Our hormone pharmacist Tahnee Simpson helps clients with integrative testing, diet and nutrient recommendations, and can work with your GP to recommend treatment if this is what you need.