Lately, I’ve been getting the same couple of questions about thyroid medications.
Question #1: Are there herbs I can use instead of my thyroid medication?
Question #2: I only want to use natural thyroid hormone. Can I switch my medication to be only natural thyroid?
These are great questions.
The answer to Question #1: No, there are no herbs that can substitute for thyroid hormone if you are already taking thyroid hormones.
You MAY be able to correct a thyroid imbalance before you start thyroid medication, but the trial should have a stop date if unsuccessful. Lifestyle, diet, herbal or nutritional support, cortisol balancing, and/or homeopathy may all help to correct a thyroid imbalance. However, because thyroid hormone is so important to your overall wellness, thyroid levels need to be monitored during these interventions. If no improvement occurs, herbal trials need to stop, and hormone replacement needs to start.
Thyroid hormone medication is not just a medication, it is the replacement of a very important hormone that is no longer being produced. Thyroid hormone turns on the signals for metabolism (aka, life) such as:
- making proteins for skin, hair, nails, and wound repair
- making energy to move the body
- making the brain work
- making the digestive system work
- making bones and muscles
- making babies
- and much more
In my opinion, thyroid function is too important to neglect and should be tested regularly to ensure optimal levels.
Regarding Question #2: Choosing natural thyroid.
It is important to first understand what hormones we are discussing. Human thyroid hormones produced in the thyroid gland include T4 (Thyroxine) and T3 (Triiodothyronine).
Triiodothyronine (T3) is about 4 times more potent than Thyroxine (T4). Thyroxine is more abundantly produced in the thyroid and converts to T3 in other tissues such as the intestines (by bacteria), in the liver, and the kidneys with the help of certain nutrients such as Vitamin B12, selenium, and zinc.
There are naturally derived thyroid medication, but all thyroid medications on the market are bio-identical to human hormones. See below for pictures of these hormones.
Medical supplementation of T4 is provided as levothyroxine and under brand name such as Synthroid, Euthyrox, Tirosint, Levoxyl, and Unithroid.
Replacement of T3 is provided as liothyronine, and under brand names such as Cytomel and Triostat. All of these drugs are virtually identical to human produced thyroid hormone.
Additionally, some products (Armour, NP thyroid, or compounded thyroid) combine T3 and T4 in a 1:4 ratio to match the natural ratio of T3 and T4 produced in the thyroid gland.
The most natural source of combined thyroid hormone medication is derived from animal thyroid, such as from pigs or cows. These products also contain the other nutrients found in thyroid glands. Many people benefit from glandular products, but some people react adversely to glandular thyroid products.
It is important to understand that thyroid medication needs to be chosen to provide the best therapy for each patient. Some people may do well with only T4 or may only need T3 or may do very well with glandular products.
Laboratory analysis every 6 weeks needs to be obtained every time there is a change in thyroid dosing. This allows time for the body to adjust to the dose and to evaluate if the dose and medication type is correct.
The take home message to answer Question #2: Although naturally derived thyroid hormone is available, it may not be the best fit for every patient.
