Medical Uses of Thyroid Hormone Pt I: Hypothyroidism

In the last article, I discussed thyroid function and disorders. For this article, the topic of medication is a natural follow-up.

When a patient is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, they are generally given one of two medications. The first is levothyroxine, the most commonly used synthetic thyroid hormone. It is derived from the physiological form of thyroid hormone T3 and T4, but because it is metabolized slower, it can be administered only once a day. Because T3 and T4 are easily absorbed by the gut, levothyroxine, (aka “Synthroid” can be taken orally. Synthetic thyroid hormone was first successfully produced in 1926 by Drs. Charles Harington and George Barger.

The other medication is natural desiccated thyroid hormone, better known as “Armour Thyroid”; it is derived from pig thyroid hormone. One can also take beef thyroid supplements, though the Armour is more commonly known. Armour contains 20% T3 and traces of T2 and T1 and calcitonin, a hormone that regulates calcium levels in the body. (More on this later, because calcitonin has very important roles other than its effects on calcium levels.)

Thyronamines, the result of decarboxylated and deiodinated thyroid hormone have no major medical use yet, though it has been suggested that thyronamines be used in controlled hypothermic stages, used to protect the brain in occurrences of ischemic shock.

(Personal Note: In past conversations with those who have taken Armour, such patients I’ve talked with were either under the care of an open-minded endocrinologist or a naturopath. Most mainstream RNPs or MDs I know have preferred to stick with the levothyroxine, given that medical science has long shunned natural helpers, even when synthetic medications might not work quite as well as those coming strictly from a natural source. Granted, this scene is slowly changing, fortunately, and integrated medicine is coming into vogue because mainstream science is catching up with the naturopathic practitioners.)

Tune in next week for further adventures in learning about the thyroid!

Blessings and Good Health,

Kat ^.^