What is a Natural Thyroid treatment?
Thyroid treatment is aimed at replacing the thyroid hormone the body is lacking due to a number of different conditions. In some countries, notably the UK, synthetic thyroid treatments are the predominant source of thyroid medication. Most of these medications only replace the T4 thyroid hormone, and therefore have limited benefit for individuals who are unable to convert this ‘stored’ form of thyroid hormone in to the more active T3.
Natural thyroid medication is much more common in the US. Natural remedies for thyroid problems typically use porcine thyroid in a desiccated form. This is firstly a natural compound, and not synthetic. Additionally, it contains both T4 and T3 thyroid hormone, as well as T1 and T2 in trace amounts.
At International Pharmacy, we offer a full range of US natural thyroid medications, in a large number of different dosages. We can supply the following natural remedies for thyroid conditions:
Benefits of Natural Thyroid Medication
Natural remedies for thyroid problems can also include exercise and dietary changes. However, the differences these make can be minimal. Therefore, it stands to reason that your next preferred option would be natural thyroid medication.
Natural thyroid medication contains all four thyroid hormones: T1, T2, T3 and T4. Synthetic thyroid just contains T4. Derived from pigs, they most closely resemble the natural human hormones.
Opting for a natural route can bring benefits over taking synthesised medication because of the side effects often associated with prescription medication.
Here we look into the importance of natural thyroid treatment and medication and why you might choose this option. We explain why natural thyroid treatment differs from synthetic thyroid medication and consider your different choices.
Why might you consider natural thyroid medication?
The thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland at the front the neck. It is responsible for producing thyroid hormones. These hormones are critical for your metabolism. Too much and you experience hyperthyroidism with symptoms such as heart palpitations, anxiety and loss of weight. Too little and you experience hypothyroidism with symptoms such as fatigue, low mood and weight gain. You need a balance.
If you have hypothyroidism, you aren’t producing enough of the thyroid hormones naturally and need to replace these. Thyroid hormones are essential for so many different processes in your body that you cannot do without them.
The thyroid hormones are quite complex and there are different types – T1, T2, T3 and T4. Thyroid hormones work together in harmony. However, one of the predominant reasons for choosing natural thyroid treatment is that it brings you a balance of all thyroid hormones. Synthetic thyroid treatment, such as levothyroxine, only contains T4. Yet T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone. In healthy individuals, this is fine because the body converts T4 into T3. However, it isn’t always ideal as a treatment for those with hypothyroidism.
The differences between T3 and T4 thyroid hormones are quite complex. Read our guide to T3 and T4 hormones.
Synthetic thyroid treatment v natural thyroid treatment
Thyroid treatment is aimed at replacing the thyroid hormone the body is lacking due to a number of different conditions. Once upon a time, the only option for those with hypothyroidism was to take natural thyroid treatment, otherwise known as desiccated thyroid.
Natural thyroid treatment is made using the dried and desiccated thyroid of pigs. As it is natural, it contains the complete range of thyroid hormones. It is made into a tablet form and is a natural treatment. Care is taken to provide a uniform tablet.
Over time, synthetic thyroid treatments became more mainstream following their invention in the 1970s. This is because synthetic drugs can be very rigorously measured, compared to porcine thyroid medication which was slightly less accurate.
It’s a socio-political football
But don’t think that because synthetic thyroid treatments can be more accurately measured, this automatically makes them a better option. This very much comes down to personal choice. Attitudes vary from country to country.
In some countries, notably the UK, synthetic thyroid treatments are the predominant source of thyroid medication. Most of these medications only replace the T4 thyroid hormone, and therefore have limited benefit for individuals who are unable to convert this ‘stored’ form of thyroid hormone in to the more active T3.
However, natural thyroid medication is much more common in the US. Natural remedies for thyroid problems typically use porcine thyroid in a desiccated form. This is firstly a natural compound, and not synthetic. Additionally, it contains both T4 and T3 thyroid hormone, as well as T1 and T2 in trace amounts.
Those who require thyroid medication have differing opinions. Some find that they struggle to use synthetic thyroid treatment as they don’t seem as capable to converting the T4 delivered in the tablet into T3. They may find it easier to manage their symptoms with natural thyroid medication. Others find it works better for them to know accurate dosage, and for them, synthetic medication will suit them better.
The problem comes when the individual is prevented from choosing which medication they believe works best for them. This can be particularly difficult if you live in a country that favors synthetic thyroid treatments when you would like to try managing your symptoms with natural thyroid medications.
This is why, at International Pharmacy, we offer a full range of US natural thyroid medications, in a large number of different dosages. We can supply the following natural remedies for thyroid conditions:
These are different brands and each has its own unique characteristics. As such, we’ve provide short guides to:
Benefits of Natural Thyroid Medication
There are a number of different natural ways you can help manage your condition if you have hypothyroidism. These include the use of probiotics, exercise, avoiding stress and taking vitamin B12 supplements. However, the differences these make can be minimal. If you have clinical hypothyroidism you will need to take replacement hormones. Therefore, it stands to reason that your next preferred option would be natural thyroid medication, especially if you’d like to keep things natural.
Interestingly, one study found that participants preferred taking natural thyroid treatment, even when they didn’t know which type of treatment they were taking.
Natural thyroid medication contains all four thyroid hormones: T1, T2, T3 and T4. Synthetic thyroid just contains T4. Derived from pigs, they most closely resemble the natural human hormones. This can make them a popular choice for many.
Synthetic thyroid medications are amongst the most prevalently sold medications in the US. Not everyone likes to use synthetic medication, whether for ethical reasons to do with their thoughts on Big Pharma, or because they can be associated with more side effects. Opting for a natural route can bring benefits over taking synthesized medication because of the side effects often associated with prescription medication.
Choose International Pharmacy
We believe that managing your hypothyroidism should be a matter of personal choice with the support of your healthcare professionals. It’s important that you can choose natural thyroid treatments if you think this is best for you, even if synthetic medications are commonly prescribed in your country.
We give you access to a reputable source of different natural thyroid treatment from the US market enabling you to make the right choice for your thyroid treatment. Browse our site to find out more about the available natural remedies for thyroid problems.
At International Pharmacy we do not advocate the use of one type of natural thyroid treatment over another, or recommend whether you should take synthetic or natural thyroid treatments. Discuss the management of your health with your healthcare professional. The above article is for information only and not intended to replace personalized medical advice.
Choose International Pharmacy
We give you access to a reputable source of different natural thyroid medication from the US market enabling you to make the right choice for your thyroid treatment. Browse our site to find out more about the available natural remedies for thyroid problems.
