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Thyroxine vs levothyroxine
I would like to know why manufacturer's use levothyroxine rather than thyroxine in their thyroid medications? I have noticed that the levothyroxine has a sodium atom, heavier molar wieght and different structural formula. Isomers are known not to function like the parent compound. So why levothyroxine and not thyroxine in thyroid meds?
: )
Mzzchief
: )
Mzzchief
Hi there,
I've been taking thyroxine since 2009. When I first had my thyroid removed due to cancer I was placed on replacement levothyroxine. I went downhill. Fast. When I begged for help I was told that my only option was levothyroxine. I have since found out that there is an alternative, thyroxine and triiodothyronine (T4 and T3) extracted from pigs. When they are slaughtered for food, their thyroids are harvested and dried and desiccated for use as a treatment for hypothyroidism. Porcine thyroxine is the same as human thyroxine.
It was the original treatment for hypothyroidism before the synthetic version was invented and has been in use since 1890.
If you can find a doctor who will prescribe it, you will feel instantly better like I did.
I've been taking thyroxine since 2009. When I first had my thyroid removed due to cancer I was placed on replacement levothyroxine. I went downhill. Fast. When I begged for help I was told that my only option was levothyroxine. I have since found out that there is an alternative, thyroxine and triiodothyronine (T4 and T3) extracted from pigs. When they are slaughtered for food, their thyroids are harvested and dried and desiccated for use as a treatment for hypothyroidism. Porcine thyroxine is the same as human thyroxine.
It was the original treatment for hypothyroidism before the synthetic version was invented and has been in use since 1890.
If you can find a doctor who will prescribe it, you will feel instantly better like I did.
If you were only taking 100 mcg (micrograms) vs the natural thyroxine, which can be consumed in much higher doses, then you were taking L or D thyroxiine, the synthetic form. I don't know why the company calls it Thyroxine.
You've got it right, NickBar!http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/Thyroxine-vs-levothyroxine/show/537654#
Hiya
Seems you were on Levothyroxine if any of these listed were yours?
Maybe you are reacting to the fillers or the new pill is less/more potent?
Levothyroxine
Thyrox Thyrox (0.025mg) Thyrox (0.05mg) Thyrox (0.2mg) Thyrox (100 mcg)
http://www.medindia.net/drugs/manufacturers/macleods-pharmaceuticals-pvt-ltd.htm
most interesting thread by the way :) thanks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read more: Macleods Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd. Product Information | Medindia http://www.medindia.net/drugs/manufacturers/macleods-pharmaceuticals-pvt-ltd.htm#ixzz2J2N9RAOp
Seems you were on Levothyroxine if any of these listed were yours?
Maybe you are reacting to the fillers or the new pill is less/more potent?
Levothyroxine
Thyrox Thyrox (0.025mg) Thyrox (0.05mg) Thyrox (0.2mg) Thyrox (100 mcg)
http://www.medindia.net/drugs/manufacturers/macleods-pharmaceuticals-pvt-ltd.htm
most interesting thread by the way :) thanks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read more: Macleods Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd. Product Information | Medindia http://www.medindia.net/drugs/manufacturers/macleods-pharmaceuticals-pvt-ltd.htm#ixzz2J2N9RAOp
I do take thyroxine from MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS LTD. I was taking this for almost a year and being on a 100 mcg I ordered the 200 and split it in half. I went to the doctor when I ran out and they had me go on the levothryroxin and since then the side effects have rushed out. I have very dry skin and get very cold at times but have above average circulation. I have since then ordered more of the thyroxine and went back to normal almost a month later. I really do not like being a lab rat when they have medication that is the right way done. Again it is cost and demand.
The simple answer to all these questions about why levothyroxine vs thyroxine is money! No one can patent a naturally occuring hormone, enzyme, or nutrient, but if one can discover or synthesize a chemical that acts a lot like the real McCoy, then you can charge an arm and a leg for this patentable item.
Interesting read, kitty. Wish the whole thing was available. I did find one flaw in the report, though.
Down at the bottom of the report it says "Language-English".
Only about half of the summary is in English. The other half is Greek, I think...I'm still cypherin'...
Down at the bottom of the report it says "Language-English".
Only about half of the summary is in English. The other half is Greek, I think...I'm still cypherin'...
Interesting history of l-thyroxine:
http://www.osti.gov/energycitations/product.biblio.jsp?osti_id=4077215
http://www.osti.gov/energycitations/product.biblio.jsp?osti_id=4077215
This doesn't exactly answer your question, but I did find this history of the discovery of t4 and t3.
http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/pdfs/IOD15.pdf
Do you know anyone in the pharmaceutical research industry?
http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/pdfs/IOD15.pdf
Do you know anyone in the pharmaceutical research industry?
You're just a spitfire, ain't ya?
LOL!!!
My guess is, if there was a way to clone thyroxine and market it, we would be taking it right now.
You need to ask someone who has been trying to do so for the last decade or two, and find out what the hold-up is. I'm still trying to figure out how to get my Endo to return my calls.
LOL!!!
My guess is, if there was a way to clone thyroxine and market it, we would be taking it right now.
You need to ask someone who has been trying to do so for the last decade or two, and find out what the hold-up is. I'm still trying to figure out how to get my Endo to return my calls.
Gah.
I know this already!
: )
I'm just wondering why they just don't synthesize thyroxine instead of messing around with isomers.
I bought that myth that "its identical to human thyroxine" for a while... then I looked into it cuz if its something I am putting into my body. I want to know everything I can about it And if levothyroxine it were identical, its would be called thyroxine.
As noted by miss kitty, dexothyroxine (the right handed isomer of thyroxine), was pulled from use cuz of cardiac effects. Isomers have similar molecular formulas, but they have different actions in the body. What else is levothyroxine doing in my body that isn't publically acknowledged, cuz its not good for sales?
Synthetics dont always act the same. For example, natural vitamin E is twice as bioavailable as synthetic E. I'm allergic to Ibequinone, but not to Coenzyme Q 10.
Anyone have an idea who'd know this, where I can find this info out? Or how levothyroxine is synthetically synthesized in the first place? I already know how its made in the body.
thx.
Mzz
I know this already!
: )
I'm just wondering why they just don't synthesize thyroxine instead of messing around with isomers.
I bought that myth that "its identical to human thyroxine" for a while... then I looked into it cuz if its something I am putting into my body. I want to know everything I can about it And if levothyroxine it were identical, its would be called thyroxine.
As noted by miss kitty, dexothyroxine (the right handed isomer of thyroxine), was pulled from use cuz of cardiac effects. Isomers have similar molecular formulas, but they have different actions in the body. What else is levothyroxine doing in my body that isn't publically acknowledged, cuz its not good for sales?
Synthetics dont always act the same. For example, natural vitamin E is twice as bioavailable as synthetic E. I'm allergic to Ibequinone, but not to Coenzyme Q 10.
Anyone have an idea who'd know this, where I can find this info out? Or how levothyroxine is synthetically synthesized in the first place? I already know how its made in the body.
thx.
Mzz
Ok, so it is an isomer. I also found this:
Prepared synthetically for commercial use, levothyroxine sodium is the levo isomer of thyroxine which is the primary secretion of the thyroid gland.
Prepared synthetically for commercial use, levothyroxine sodium is the levo isomer of thyroxine which is the primary secretion of the thyroid gland.
I'm a dork!
I found this for starters:
"Levothyroxine, also known as L-thyroxine, synthetic T4 or 3,5,3',5'-tetraiodo-L-thyronine, is a synthetic form of thyroxine (thyroid hormone). The natural hormone is chemically in the L-form, as is the pharmaceutical agent. Dextrothyroxine (D-thyroxine) briefly saw research as an anticholesterol agent but was pulled due to cardiac side-effects"
Both are in the same chemical form, so is it an isomer?
Also, wouldn't there have to be a source for human thyroxine? Or maybe they could clone it?
I found this for starters:
"Levothyroxine, also known as L-thyroxine, synthetic T4 or 3,5,3',5'-tetraiodo-L-thyronine, is a synthetic form of thyroxine (thyroid hormone). The natural hormone is chemically in the L-form, as is the pharmaceutical agent. Dextrothyroxine (D-thyroxine) briefly saw research as an anticholesterol agent but was pulled due to cardiac side-effects"
Both are in the same chemical form, so is it an isomer?
Also, wouldn't there have to be a source for human thyroxine? Or maybe they could clone it?
I was going to say that levo is the isomer.
But you already said that.:)
I didn't know it that isomers don't act like the parent compound. My chemistry minor is way, way in the back of my brain from college 19 years ago!
Now I need to research that......
But you already said that.:)
I didn't know it that isomers don't act like the parent compound. My chemistry minor is way, way in the back of my brain from college 19 years ago!
Now I need to research that......
So what is thyroxine, other than T4 produced naturally?
It is my understanding that levothyrine is exactly the same at the molecuar level as natural human thyroxine.
Edumicate me.
It is my understanding that levothyrine is exactly the same at the molecuar level as natural human thyroxine.
Edumicate me.
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