Dessicated Thyroid Meds

[Carla75]

I just finished listening to a podcast with Janie Bowthorpe and she discusses Dessicated thyroid hormone meds vs the typical stuff we've been prescribed.  she menitoned a few of the sublingual versions and I was wondering if anyone has tried these and what your opinion is of them.  The podcast was great and very imformative.  Now I have a lot of questions for my doc.

[Red_Star]

The human thyroid gland produces T4 (tetraiodothyronine or thyroxine), T3 (tri-iodothyronine or liothyronine), T2 (di-iodothyronine), and T1 (mono-iodothyronine). All regulate all the processes of energy release within the body's cells. Calcitonin is a hormone produced by non thyroid cells called C cells that reside within the thyroid gland.  Calcitonin influences calcium levels in the blood and bones.  

An animal's thyroid gland is the closest to a human's thyroid gland. Usually a pig's thyroid is used for natural thyroid replacement but a cow's thyroid can be requested.

[Carla75]

Thanks Lazy!  I've been reading up on the dessicated vs synthetic and found that synthetic only treats one thyroid hormone, while dessicated treats 5.  Are you familiar with this?  I have an appt soon and will be discussing it with my doctor and if he's not willing to work on it with me then I will look into an Endo.

[LazyMoose]

I've been on eight different manufactured thyroid meds, synthetics and natural.

I don't believe any of the brands are intentionally manufactured for sublingual use, its purely coincidental. A few of the dessicated brands do in fact dissolve much more quickly than other hypo thyroid meds: similar to the Armour brand pre-2009 (older formula).

Dessicated Thyroid med dissolving in your mouth in 10 minutes is one of the advantages; food and snack time is more flexible. Some of the disadvantages to natural dessicated thyroid med is the possibility of limited availability, limited RX coverage, and daily multi-dosing that some need.

It only makes sense to switch to natural after all options and doses of synthetics have been tried to make you feel better - I have been on natural for several years but wish synthetic did the trick; for me natural is the answer, along with its complications.

[Carla75]

Thanks for the input.  I'm pretty new to the whole hypothyroid thing and just listened to a podcast today with Janie as a guest.  She discussed the difference between dessicated thyroid hormones and synthetic form.  A lot of valuable information.  I am not disatissfied with my current treatment, but looking and thinking long term instead, since this something I will be living with the rest of my life:)  I was in shock over a lot of the things that are missed or misdiagnosed as well as the treatment vs. the "bandaids" that are used.  If anybody wants to check it out it's on blogtalkradio.com and an check for the interview by Dr. Ariel Policano of Janie Bowthorpe.

[goolarra]

Any desiccated and even synthetics can be taken sublingually.  The meds are absorbed directly into the blood vessels under the tongue, thus bypassing the gut with all its absorption issues.  

Just bear in mind that what works for one doesn't always work for another.  We're all unique and have to find the meds that work best for each of us.  Anyone promoting "one size fits all" meds is doing the whole thyroid community a disservice.

I take it that you might not be entirely satisfied with your treatment?  If you can provide recent labs with reference ranges (they vary lab to lab and have to come from your own lab report), a brief history and meds history, we might be able tosuggest a direction.

[Carla75]

I can only imagine!:)

[Red_Star]

Rave reviews for my sublingual B12 spray lol.  I'd love to find sublingual thyroid medication here in Australia. Not having to worry about foods/supplements affecting thyroid hormone absorption is a plus.