New study suggesting combination treatments including desiccated thyroid equally good

[lauriegraham]

Presumably people have seen this, but in case?

endocrine.org/news-and-advo...

[janeroar]

That link not working 😊

[waveylines]

Thanks Laurie......sadly its big pharma thats been knocking ndt treatment all these years. Glad to see some supportive research finally !! 3 months is very short to compare a thyroid meds efficacy!!

[Hennerton]

Did I miss something or were patients who have had a thyroidectomy ignored once again in these findings? Why are we not given a separate category? “No thyroid” is a world apart from a “poorly working thyroid”.

[Musicmonkey]

So that means that a whopping 77% preferred treatment including T3. Only 23% preferred Levothyroxine alone. I am a bit worried by their finding limiting those preferring T3 treatment to Hashimoto's sufferers. I hope their further studies include those with conversion issues. T3 makes a 'night' and 'day' difference to me! I don't have Hashimoto's. I have a conversion issue.

But very positive news!

[helvella Administrator]

Have just been reading some documents from around 1917. One asked "Why is it called desiccated thyroid extract? There is no extraction process." (Or words to that effect.)

I don't understand why that name has stuck for over a century!

[shaws Administrator]

They must have thought it was the 'thyroid gland was extracted' and not that the actual gland was dried before being processed into a tablet.

[helvella Administrator in reply to shaws]

There were attempts to extract the "active principle" - for example by use of alcohol or glycerin. Which would reasonably be called extracts.

[helvella Administrator]

At the time, 1917-ish, the term Thyroid Sicc. was common.

[shaws Administrator]

It is a great pity that the professionals who make the 'guidelines' in the UK fail to read up-dated research regarding dysfunctional thyroid glands.

GPs can no longer prescribe T3 or NDT unless an Endo has agreed. In fact NDT has been withdrawn in the UK, through misinformation by those we'd expect to be more knowledgeable about how to restore a hypo patient to good health.

In the UK, NDT was withdrawn through untruthful words despite its safety being proven from 1892 onwards (without needing any blood tests but only going by the patients clinical symptoms).

NDT prevented people dying an awful death from 1892 - no blood tests but the skill of the GPs.

We may not die these days but many people who're untreated, or undertreated may have thoughts that they can no longer continue

due to not being on a suitable thyroid hormone replacement. for them as individuals.

NDT - withdrawn

T3 - only to be prescribed by an Endocrinologist. (Many may not do so).

T4 only to be prescribed - many hypo patients feel worse with no improvements in their health.

People who have hypo and taking levo and feeling well will not be looking on the internet for help/advice.

[pennyannie]

No surprises there then - but will anybody, who is in a position to do anything, actually read it and propose an " open minded attitude ' and suggest opening up the prescribing options with regard to thyroid hormone replacement.

[helvella Administrator]

I'd never use the word "natural" like that!

It always seems to be a sales word, to me. Yes, we have synthetic, and that is fine. But the numerous processes thyroids go through to produce tablets, and the multiple excipients, ends up too far away from the original glands to retain "natural" as a suitable adjective.

[helvella Administrator]

You should have said "thyroideum siccum".

I submit evidence of my earlier claims, Your Honour:

September 28, 1918 The Chemist and Druggist, Page 47.

The Administration of Thyroid Gland.

Dr. Carver (“British Medical Journal”) draws attention to the fact, well known to pharmacists, that there is no such preparation as “thyroid extract,” a term often seen in medical literature, and he advocates the use in prescriptions of the B.P. preparation and designation only, “thyroideum siccum,” rather than the “extract” or the fresh gland. He points out two possible sources of error: (1) Through the fact that in the official preparation the substance is presented in concentrated form, whilst in the products of some of the large commercial houses it is presented in approximately the strength of the fresh gland; [2] through the use of the term “ext. thyroidei,” which indicates neither of the above preparations specifically, but leaves to the chemist the decision as to which of them shall be supplied. It is to be noted that in the B.P. 1914 the official dose of thyroideum siccum is given as 1/2 to 4 gr., instead of 3 to 10 gr. As in B.P. 1898. In neither case is there any suggestion as to how frequently the dose may be repeated. and the change introduces another factor that may contribute towards ineffective treatment.

Which, to my way of thinking, shows that this questionable terminology has been both questionable and actually questioned for over a century.

RedApple

[foxglove]

Can't get this link to open - or indeed any links suggested in HU

[helvella Administrator in reply to foxglove]

It is working for me.

What actually happens when you try to follow a link?

What sort of device and operating system are you using?

[foxglove in reply to helvella]

"the webpage cannot be found"...I'm using computer - Internet Explorer

[helvella Administrator in reply to foxglove]

Sounds like something to do with your computer or connection. Sorry to say.

I have been using HU today with only one (transient) issue - including clicking on links. So I am fairly convinced t isn't the site at fault.