Natural Thyroid Medication – What You Must Know
The diagnosis of hypothyroidism can really throw you for a loop. The good news is you finally have an answer to those life-altering symptoms which have been affecting your activities of daily living for years, natural thyroid medication. Hypothyroidism symptoms often start off slowly and only build over the course of years, and before you know it you are unable to participate in the activities you used to enjoy so much. Low thyroid function can cause symptoms like fatigue, constipation, sluggishness, depression and unexplained weight gain. Muscle and joint pain also may occur, restricting the things you used to do – now you have an answer, but now you have to choose an appropriate treatment.
Low thyroid function can be treated by replacing the hormone the thyroid is no longer able to produce. Your choices are a synthetically produced product, or one derived from the desiccated thyroids of animals, usually pigs. Is a natural thyroid medication best for you? What are the differences and does it really matter?
Good questions – and you may not find a definitive answer. For over 100 years, a natural thyroid medication was the only treatment for hypothyroidism. In the late 1950s scientists were able to produce a synthetic form of the hormone needed to replace the thyroid function called levothyroxine. It became the preferred treatment since that time, as it was believed the level of hormone could be more easily regulated than those of the natural thryoid medication. However, in recent years levothyroxine (marketed as Synthroid) has come under increasing criticism for fluctuating levels.
Other Benefits of Natural Thyroid Medications
Another consideration regarding natural thyroid medication is the fact it contains two hormones – T3 and T4 while levothyroxine only contains T4. This might be important because the theory is many people with a slightly high TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) may not have a lack of T4 but a problem with converting T4 into the more active T3. While many patients have success in controlling their hypothyroidism with levothyroxine, others have problems with it and receive much better results with the natural thyroid medication like Armour Thyroid. Some report treatment with a natural thyroid hormone medication is a better treatment for the depression that many experience with this condition.
Other factors also come into play, such as regulating the hormone levels no matter which formulation you choose. For the first month or more when starting hormone replacement therapy for hypothyroidism, the body is adjusting to increased hormone levels. Regular blood testing is needed to monitor the patient’s progress, and the dosage may have to be adjusted several times before a stable dosage is found. This can be a frustrating time for people who just want something to work to alleviate the symptoms of hypothyroidism. It can be difficult to be patient and wait for the levels to stabilize. Once they do, typically patients will then only have to be checked once per year unless there is a problem with the dose.
Just like with any other medical issue, there is no one answer for everyone. Some people will do very well with the synthetic form of the hormone, and others will find better results with a natural thyroid medication. The good news is at least you have this choice. If you are not finding success with levothyroxine, discuss the option with your doctor of switching to a natural thyroid medication.
