T4 only in Levothyroxine?

[WPaula]

I have just watched Dr Berg on youtube and he asks where are we getting T1 and T2 from in this medication? He suggests Armour but can we get it in the UK? Seemingly T1 and T2 are used to make calcitonin to keep our bones strong so this is worrying.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Calcitonin is made in the thyroid.

Calcitonin is a hormone that is produced in humans by the parafollicular cells (commonly known as C-cells) of the thyroid gland.

yourhormones.info/hormones/...

If you have no thyroid, I can't see how anything you take would help you make calcitonin.

There has recently been a thread about T2 - which contains onward links to other posts.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[greygoose]

T1 and T2 come from conversion of T4.

T4 > T3 + rT3

T3 + rT3 > T2

T2 > T1

Does he not know that?

Many people live without a thyroid, so therefore without calcitonin, and do very well. Does he perhaps sell a supplement said to supplement/provide calcitonin, by the way?

[Brightness14]

NDT Armour and Thyroid s contain the 1 & 2. It's made from pig thyroid.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Brightness14]

But no-one can ever identify how much. Nor demonstrate that it is available to our bodies when taken like that.

The amount of T2 and T1 in desiccated thyroid is clearly far less than T4 and T3 based on iodine content and known T4 and T3 content.

It's fine to suggest the possibility of it containing and delivering some T2 and T1. But I think we need proof for it to become accepted as fact that it contains a meaningful quantity of either.

[Brightness14 in reply to helvella]

KA

[HeartWoman]

Dr. Berg is a naturopath, who may have some great ideas, but can be way out there on some ideas.

He seems to be against T4 only therapy, even though many people are very successful with it. I for one, do not do well on NDT because I seem to need adequate T4 and NDT raises my T3 way too much and drops my T4 way too low. I then feel horrible.

How long have you been on this thyroid journey? I would recommend getting your T4 up in the range and then decide if you need additional T3 by adding NDT or T3.

I think chatting with folks on here who have been in the trenches and now feel much better would be a better option.

This is just my opinion after years of trying to feel better.

[WPaula in reply to HeartWoman]

Thank you for your reply. I have been on this thyroid journey for about 15 years and am finally doing well thanks to all I have learned here. I had always wondered where T1 and T2 figured - now I know!

[HeartWoman in reply to WPaula]

I see! I have been it close to the same amount of time. I think I finally have a doctor who will help me and not pronounce me "normal" when I feel anything but normal.