COMPOUNDED NATURAL THYROID THERAPY
It is estimated that more than half of all people who are affected by thyroid disease are not aware of their condition even though patients may have many of the following symptoms of hypothyroidism which include:
- Weight gain
- Cold and heat intolerance (cold hands and feet)
- Fatigue
- Slowed metabolism
- Memory and concentration impairment
- Fluid retention
- Constipation
- Dry skin and/or hair
- Depression
- Low sexual desire
- Headaches, Migraines
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- PMS
- Enlarged tongue
- Swollen neck
- Deep voice
- Infertility
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Patients may have some or most of the above symptoms, but may not be diagnosed for years!
Thyroid Hormone exists in 2 major forms:
- (T3) Triiodothyronine – is the active form of thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland produces about 20 % of T3, the rest is produced in various tissues in the body through the conversion of T4 when more T3 is needed.
- (T4) Thyroxine – is the inactive form produced exclusively by the thyroid gland.
In today’s society most people are only treated with T4, although both T4 and T3 are secreted by the human thyroid gland. Studies suggest that replacement therapy with T4 alone does not ensure normal thyroid levels in all tissues. Some of the hypothyroid patients treated with T4 alone still remain symptomatic. A combination of T4 and T3 may be required for optimal thyroid replacement therapy. Commercially available T4 and T3 are manufactured in limited strengths and only in immediate release form. The immediate release form of T3 may result in higher than normal T3 concentrations. Compounded sustained release T3 may avoid adverse effects caused by immediate release T3. Providers and their patients may wish to consider the inclusion of sustained release T3 in the treatment of low thyroid levels, particularly when the response to T4 has not been complete. ITC Pharmacy specializes in compounding sustained released Liothyronine (sustained release T3) in many different strengths, and customized to each patient’s individual needs.
Ask our compounding specialists for more information about this exciting therapy option for patients with low thyroid levels.
