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| Thyroid hormone is not for everyone, although levels do naturally decline with age or stress. Some even discontinue their medication and feel no significant difference. Increasing the dose of Synthroid sometimes helps, but more often the benefit is greater when either T3 (Cytomel) is added or the patient uses Armour Thyroid (or a similar generic desiccated thyroid), which contains both T3 and T4. When conversion of T4 to the more active metabolite T3 is inadequate, it becomes especially important to supplement with T3. Some T3 preparations come in a slow-release formula and are taken twice daily for a more even metabolic effect. Source; History Thyroid hormone is a prescription drug and is supplied by drops, pills or capsules but is usually taken orally. Function; Reasons For Use Natural thyroid has a combination of T4, T3, T2, T1. The synthetic thyroid produced by the drug companies uses only the T4 and rarely only T3. The active molecule is converted from the T4 to the active T3 and occasionally and inactive form called Reverse T3 is produced. There may also be some chaperone molecules in the natural product, ushering the thyroid better into the cells. Paradoxically, the higher this level is, the lower output the thyroid has. So, if the TSH is greater than 5, it indicates deficiency in thyroid output and/or production. Some doctors measure the actual hormone (T3 and/or T4), but the TSH is a more accurate biosensitive marker for thyroid activity. If one suspects hyperthyroidism, one should get the TSH level to document this abnormal state, since taking excess or not-needed thyroid hormones could cause osteoporosis. An ill or older patient should gradually increase his dosage until the desired amount has been established. A recent study demonstrated that osteoporosis is only seen if TSH is left below 0.1 for a prolonged period of time. The goal is to reach an effective dose of hormone while keeping the TSH above 0.1. Many physicians keep the TSH at 3-5, which may not result in much clinical improvement. |
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