NDT Please?

[shaws]

The following link is fromt he ATA:-

thyroid.org/patient-thyroid...

who did a study on the use of levo or NDT. Extract:

SUMMARY OF THE STUDY

This was a study of 70 patients with hypothyroidism who were treated with either desiccated thyroid extract or levothyroxine for 12 weeks followed by a switch to orgthe other option for another 16 weeks. The participants were “blinded” during both phases – they did not know the type of pill they received. After each treatment period patients were weighed, had blood tests, underwent psychometric testing and were asked which therapy they preferred. The researchers report that 49% of the patients preferred desiccated thyroid extract, 19% preferred levothyroxine and 23% had no preference. Desiccated thyroid extract use was also associated with more weight loss. There was no difference in the psychometric testing or in any symptoms. Both types of thyroid hormone were able to normalize the abnormal thyroid blood tests.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS STUDY?

Although desiccated thyroid extract is not widely used, this study showed that many patients preferred this option as compared with levothyroxine. This result was observed despite there being no differences in thyroid function blood test and psychometric test results, although use of desiccated thyroid extract was associated with some weight loss. These results suggest that there may be a certain number of patients in who desiccated thyroid extract might be a reasonable treatment option. Further research is needed on this topic to confirm which patients this might benefit the most form desiccated thyroid extract therapy.

— Angela M. Leung, MD, MSc

ATA THYROID BROCHURE LINKS

Hypothyroidism: thyroid.org/what-is-hypothy...

Thyroid Hormone Treatment: thyroid.org/thyroid-hormone...

Table of Contents | PDF File for Saving and Printing

ABBREVIATIONS & DEFINITIONS

Hypothyroidism: a condition where the thyroid gland is underactive and doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Treatment requires taking thyroid hormone pills.

Levothyroxine (T4): the major hormone produced by the thyroid gland and available in pill form as Levoxyl™, Synthroid™, Levothroid™ and generic preparations.

Desiccated thyroid extract: thyroid hormone pill made from animal thyroid glands. Currently desiccated thyroid extract is made from pig thyroids and is available as Armour Thyroid™ and Nature-Throid™.

[DarcyJ]

I started taking Armour last Sept. after being on Synthroid for over 30 years. I felt the difference in the first week! I will never ever go back on synthroid!! I'm not there yet on knowing my thyroid, but with wonderful sites like this and good people on here that help with all our questions....I'm getting there! Thanks all!!

[UrsaP]

Desiccated thyroid may not be widely used now but was widely used for decades until synthetic T4 was developed and marketed! Cheap! Weren't Dr's paid to issue T4 over NDT back then, bit like being paid to take patients off T3 and paid to issue antibiotics... Gthhh

More articles like this please shaws

[helvella Administrator]

The original paper was highlighted here some time ago, for all the good it did! That is, for all the good it did with respect to the world of endocrinologists.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....