Natural Desiccated Thyroid: A Woman’s Choice

Hypothyroidism is the most common hormone imbalance impacting women, and it is an absolute bitch when it comes to our quality of life.  Women with hypothyroidism gain weight, feel exhausted, have heavier periods, and are more depressed.  It’s not a picnic.

And when women finally receive a diagnosis of hypothyroidism (the lucky ones who actually are diagnosed), the promise of a relief from these symptoms is life changing.

Except for those women who don’t feel much better on their Synthroid.  Those women who still feel fat, tired, and depressed.  What options are left for them?

Synthroid

For many women with hypothyroidism, their doctors prescribe Synthroid, or levothyroxine, a synthetic version of T4 (thyroxine).  The medication is used to bring TSH back into the normal range, and if that occurs women are considered to be well managed. 

For women with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the most common cause of hypothyroidism in North America, the use of Synthroid does nothing to impact the autoimmune aspects of hypothyroidism, an issue I’ve discussed here. 

And for other women, the Synthroid just doesn’t seem to help to improve symptoms.  But as the TSH is normal, the women are dismissed, put on antidepressants, told to diet, or told their symptoms are due to aging or stress.

Natural Desiccated Thyroid

The original treatment for hypothyroidism was natural desiccated thyroid, a thyroid hormone replacement made from porcine (pig) thyroid gland.  With the introduction of Synthroid in 1955 natural desiccated thyroid slowly lost favour as the main treatment for hypothyroidism.

But the tide is turning.  Studies are showing that, when given the choice, nearly HALF (49%) of women prefer the impact that natural desiccated thyroid has on their symptoms. 

Only 19% of women in one study preferred Synthroid/ levothyroxine.

The Natural Desiccated Thyroid Difference

Natural desiccated thyroid is much closer to what our body was making at its prime.  It contains thyroxine (T4) – the hormone found in synthetic form in Synthroid.  But it also contains small amounts of triiodothyronine (T3) – the thyroid hormone that actually improves our energy and metabolism. 

Women using natural desiccated thyroid (Armour thyroid, compounded desiccated thyroid, ERFA, Nature Thyroid, or NDT) may experience better symptom management, including weight loss according to one 2013 study.  A 2019 study suggested that the inclusion of T3 may be the key to improved symptoms, especially mood, found with natural desiccated thyroid.

A Woman’s Choice

As a naturopathic doctor, woman’s health expert, and woman, I think we need more choices in our health care.  If natural desiccated thyroid will improve the QUALITY OF LIFE for women, why are more women not being given this option?  Shouldn’t we be able to make the best decision for our health, and our treatments?

I prescribe natural desiccated thyroid often in my practice, and have extensive training on the use and monitoring of this treatment.  I see it change women’s lives. 

If you are interested in learning more about natural desiccated thyroid, or other naturopathic and functional medicine treatments for your hormone balance, don’t hesitate to reach out.  I’m here for you, so you can be here for your self, your family, and your community.

Select References:

McAninch EA, Bianco AC. The swinging pendulum in treatment for hypothyroidism: from (and toward?) combination therapy.  Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2019;10:446. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6629976/

Hoang TD et al Desiccated thyroid extract compared with levothyroxine in the treatment of hypothyroidism: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study. J Clin Endo- crinol Metab 2013;98:1982-90. https://www.thyroid.org/patient-thyroid-information/ct-for-patients/vol-6-issue-8/vol-6-issue-8-p-3/

Disclaimer

The advice provided in this article is for informational purposes only.  It is meant to augment and not replace consultation with a licensed health care provider.  Consultation with a Naturopathic Doctor or other primary care provider is recommended for anyone suffering from a health problem.