Low thyroid function is a surprisingly common problem. The American Thyroid Association estimates that approximately 12 percent of American adults develops a thyroid condition at some point during their lives. Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, is far more common than hyperthyroidism, also called overactive thyroid. Many readers have struggled with the symptoms, sometimes even though they are being treated. What can be done to correct a thyroid gland that is out of balance?
Address the Symptoms of Low Thyroid Function:
Q. I am suffering from multiple symptoms of hypothyroidism. My blood work shows up as borderline hypothyroid.
I am being treated with levothyroxine (Synthroid) without success. The doctor prescribed 25 mcg and my symptoms disappeared, only to return in two months. The dose was boosted to 50 mcg with the same result, except the symptoms returned even faster.
I would like to try natural desiccated thyroid but my doctor does not believe in it. I am suffering and don’t know what to do.
Is the Dose Right?
A. Perhaps your level of levothyroxine is not adequate. Your starting dose of 25 mcg was an extremely low dose of this hormone; even 50 mcg is on the low end. We are sending you our Guide to Thyroid Hormones to help you interpret your blood tests and offer you information about adding T3 to your T4 (levothyroxine) treatment.
Do You Need to Take T3 Along with T4?
Some people don’t convert T4 to the active form of thyroid hormone, T3, as efficiently as others and may need a little extra T3 to feel their best. Taking desiccated thyroid is only one possible solution. Your physician might be more amenable to adding a slow-release pharmacy-compounded T3 to the T4 in Synthroid.
Not everyone will benefit from such treatment, but many readers have reported success. Ashley commented:
“I am type 1 diabetic and found I had low thyroid function. Fortunately for me, my P.A. listened to me when I suggested that ‘T3 does matter’ after listening to a People’s Pharmacy show about this. I am feeling great again.”
There is increasing basic research on the question of T3 as an additional hormone for banishing symptoms of low thyroid function. (See Journal of Biological Chemistry, Dec., 2015; Journal of Endocrinology, June, 2011; Journal of Clinical Investigation, Feb., 2015, etc.). We hope there will soon be some clinical research on this topic as well.
Revised 7/21/16
