Natural Thyroid Replacement Hormone

Doctors have used natural thyroid hormones since the 1800s. There are several types of natural thyroid replacement hormones. The only thyroid natural hormone that is FDA approved is "USP" Natural Desiccated Thyroid, which is ground up pig thyroid. This total natural thyroid hormone consists of T1 (monoiodothyronamine), T2 (diiodothyronine), T3 (triiodothyronine), T4 (thyroxine) and calcitonin, which are every hormone that the human thyroid produces. T1 influences development, body temperature, metabolic rate and cardiac performance (http://www.tpa-uk.org.uk/history_of_thyroid_treatments.php). T2 is required for weight loss. The T4 is the storage hormone and the T3 is the active hormone. T3 helps with depression and mood swings. Sometimes T3 alone is given to patients who suffer from depression. Calcitonin assists in the T3 to T4 conversion. T3 is four times more potent than T4. All pigs used for Natural Desiccated Thyroid are USDA inspected and approved. If a pig were not fit for consumption, it would not be used for natural thyroid medication.

Natural thyroid hormone is used in patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is the result of the pituitary not producing enough thyroid stimulating hormone. The pituitary produces the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which instructs the thyroid to produce the thyroid hormones T1, T2, T3, T4 and calcitonin. Doctors test TSH, free T3 and free T4. The frees are the active thyroid hormone circulating within the bloodstream. The TSH in hypothyroid patients are usually abnormally high and freeT4 are low. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists states that normal TSH levels range between 0.3 to 3.0. TSH levels higher than 3.0 indicate the need of thyroid replacement hormone. However, TSH levels could be in the normal range and the patient still suffers from hypothyroidism. In this case, a doctor would test thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin and thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibodies (http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/thyroid_antibodies/test.html). If any one of these tests came back positive, the patient has Hashimoto's autoimmune hypothyroidism. Having Hashimoto's with a normal TSH, free T3 and free T4 warrants treatment of thyroid replacement hormone. Natural thyroid hormone lowers the TSH and raises T3 and T4 levels. In a negative feedback loop, the TSH may go below normal. As your thyroid receives or produces enough hormones, the pituitary gland decreases TSH outputs. The negative feedback loop shuts down TSH production in the pituitary gland. Natural thyroid has relieved the many symptoms of hypothyroidism within days. Patients have noted an increase of energy, weight loss, hair loss lessening and chronic pain dissipating. Many people state their nails are no longer brittle and break easily. Natural thyroid relieves depression, anxiety and fatigue. Symptom relief is faster with natural thyroid replacement compared to synthetic thyroid replacement.

There are three name-brand natural thyroid FDA approved medications with the United States. Armour thyroid is produced by Forest Pharmaceuticals and been used since the late 1800s. Armour is the most used natural thyroid medication. Armour's main ingredient is porcine thyroid powder. The other two are Naturethroid and Westthroid, manufactured by Time Lab Corps. Naturethroid and Westthroid formulations are identical, expect for the binding fillers. Westhroid has been used since 1934; however, in 1960 many patients had allergic reactions to the binding fillers. In 1960, Naturethroid was created with microcrystalline cellulose instead, which is hypoallergenic. Nutri-meds is an over-the-counter supplement and is not FDA regulated. Its glandular concentrate is 130 mg of raw tissue. Many countries have natural thyroid medications. Canada has its own natural thyroid manufactured by Erfa called "Thyroid." Germany's thyroid is named "Thyreogland." Italy's is called "Cinetic." Canada, Germany and Italy use dried thyroid. Even Thailand manufactures a very popular natural thyroid hormone called "Thyroid-s" and the main ingredient is USP.

Armour thyroid is manufactured in ¼ grain (15mg), ½ grain (30mg), 1 grain (60mg), 1 ½ grain (90mg), 2 grain (120 mg) and 3 grain (180mg). Naturethroid and Westhroid come in ¼ grain (16.25mg), ½ grain (32.5mg), 1 grain (65 mg), 2 grain (130mg) and 3 grain (195mg) (http://www.nature-throid.com/conversionChart.asp). Physicians familiar with natural thyroid hormone prescribe according to the symptoms of patients and focus on having free T3 and free T4 in the upper range of lab results. Patients who have never been on any thyroid medication will be started on ¼ or ½ grain doses. Doses usually increase every 2 to 4 weeks by ¼ or ½ grain depending on tolerance and the relief of symptoms. In cancer patients, the TSH must be suppressed to reduce the recurrence of cancer.

Always pay attention to new symptoms while on natural thyroid replacement. New symptoms may require higher dosing. Many patients who had ill effects on Armour switched to Naturethyroid without any side effects. Too much natural thyroid hormone can result in palpations, hair loss, rapid heartbeat and insomnia. Too much hormone can result in hyperthyroidism, the condition of an overactive thyroid. This condition can be dangerous if not treated and may result in a thyrotoxic crisis. It is essential to pay attention to your body's signs while on natural thyroid replacement hormone. If you have tried synthetic thyroid hormone without any relief of hypothyroid symptoms, natural thyroid replacement may be what your body is in need of.