Dopamine neuron induction and the neuroprotective effects of thyroid hormone derivatives

[Farooqji]

nature.com/articles/s41598-...

[Despe]

iqbaliqbal, good find! Thanks for sharing it. Actually, I printed it and will give it to our compounding pharmacy pharmacist.

My husband had total thyroidectomy in 2010 and problems started soon after that! Synthetic meds didn't do anything. He had another test a couple of days ago. Depending on the results, no matter what they are, I asked our internist/family physician for either Nature Throid or WP Thyroid prescription.

[Despe in reply to Despe]

We got the test results (full panel) back. TSH 1.24, T4 Free 1.0, T3 Free 2.3, T3 TOTAL 68 L, T3 Uptake 33, Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies 3.

I asked our compounding pharmacy for Nature Throid or WP Thyroid. She told us that it would be best if she increased the compounding T3 (synthetic) as NT has a 1.5 grain? If she refuses to dispense NT, our GP is willing to write the prescription for NT and will find another compounding pharmacy to dispense it. Problem is we have to pay for the compounding T4/T3 as Insurance will not pay, but Insurance will pay for NT. Profit in the way??

Any insights? Thank you!

[b-bar]

l Tyrosine has better effect on movement for me pd than Sinemet, related to thyroxine?

no research on that topic because it's not a medecine

[jenniferdunstan]

Would love to hear from someone with the background to translate this into simpler language. I currently take 15 mg thyroid and wonder if I should double the dose to see if I can experience fewer symptoms. While it's not a great idea to self-medicate, I can't see that my primary care dr. or my neuro would want to delve into this issue on my behalf. Any thoughts?

[SilentEchoes in reply to jenniferdunstan]

What kind of thyroid hormone do you take?

Levothyroxine is synthetic (I did poorly on this) and only contains T4. It also contains aluminum (a neurotoxin) and causes cancer!

*EDIT: the aluminum in levothyroxine is from the purple dye in the pill. You also have to read the drug insert to learn if the medication causes cancer.

I switched to Naturethroid, a natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) hormone that has both T3/T4. I have central hypothyroidism so dosing isn't based on TSH levels. I take 2.5 grains per day. This is the dose I need to keep edema in check.

I recommend everyone gets the full thyroid panel, most doctors only test TSH and T4, and cases of secondary/central hypothyroidism can be missed.

You also need to be tested for thyroid antibodies. Hashimoto thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease. Non-autoimmune hypothyroidism is an environmental illness due to toxin exposure. I know it because I live it.

There's good information available but you have to look for it. I recommend finding a good functional medicine practitioner (MD/DO) to support you.

[jenniferdunstan in reply to SilentEchoes]

Thank you for responding. I take NP LEO/LIOTHYR 15 mg tab ACE once daily. I don't know if this is synthetic or not. I take it your DO/ MD prescribes the NDT you take? I will look for a DOM practitioner as my neurologist seems unaware of the possible neurotoxicity issues of standard thyroid. I could really benefit from some neuroprotective supplimentation.

[SilentEchoes in reply to jenniferdunstan]

Here's a link for your prescription, it's synthetic T3 thyroid hormone.

rxlist.com/cytomel-drug.htm

I'd go back to your doctor and ask for the full thyroid panel. I'd also explain my concerns with taking synthetic hormones. Please read the information in the package insert and bring it with you.

My primary doctor was willing to change my prescription based on the information I gave him. Not all doctors will do this. When my doc retired I went to an endocrinologist who would not prescribe NDT. I found a functional medicine practice who supports me. Not sure where you live, but in most states in the US you can order your own lab tests. I use walkinlab.com and you can order the thyroid panel and have the blood draw at labcorp or quest. I'm very hands on when it comes to my own health, it isn't always well received.

It seems strange that a neurologist is treating you with a T3 only thyroid hormone. Is this for depression instead of hypothyroidism? It's not really in their wheelhouse, most would refer you to a specialist.

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

[SilentEchoes]

Thank you for sharing this study, it supports my belief that high dose supplimentation with NDT has had a positve effect in slowing down my neurodegeneration.

[Jandeb]

Thanks, great find as fatigue is part of my symptom list along with sensitivity to cold.