Patrick Massey MD, PhD ALT-MED Medical and Physical Therapy
Elk Grove Village IL and serving the Chicago area
There are a number of thyroid medications available to patients.
T4 is thyroid hormone with 4 iodine atoms attached (Synthroid, generic – levothyroxine). T4 is the most commonly used thyroid medication. It has a long half life because it is biochemically inactive until the body converts it into the active form of thyroid hormone T3: so it acts like a sustained-release form of T3.
T3 is thyroid hormone with 3 iodine atoms attached (Cytomel, generic –liothyronine). T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone. Physicians rarely prescribe it because of its short half life…needs to be taken several times per day.
Combined T3/T4 : Most common medication is Armour thyroid, FDA approved, standardized amounts of T3 and T4 and first introduced in the late 1800’s for the treatment of hypothyroidism. There are a number of other T3/T4 combination medications available…not just Armour…and may have a slightly different ratios of T3 and T4. Compounding pharmacies can make T3/T4 medications individualized to the needs of the patient.
***I strongly do not recommend thyroid gland - based supplements. The levels of thyroid hormone are not standardized and results are quite variable. High dose iodine has no role in treating hypothyroidism. It can be toxic***
Most physicians only prescribe T4 and, truth be told, T4 works just fine for most patients. However, in my experience, about 20 - 30% of patients who need thyroid medication simply do not do well on T4. For a variety of reasons, they may not convert T4 into T3 very well or they simply need extra T3. The majority of these patients will do well on a T3/T4 combination medication.
For most medical conditions, a number of medications are available because no one medication works for everyone.
For hypothyroidism, only one medication (T4) is recommended and this is wrong. People are different and good options are available.
Elk Grove Village IL and serving the Chicago area
There are a number of thyroid medications available to patients.
T4 is thyroid hormone with 4 iodine atoms attached (Synthroid, generic – levothyroxine). T4 is the most commonly used thyroid medication. It has a long half life because it is biochemically inactive until the body converts it into the active form of thyroid hormone T3: so it acts like a sustained-release form of T3.
T3 is thyroid hormone with 3 iodine atoms attached (Cytomel, generic –liothyronine). T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone. Physicians rarely prescribe it because of its short half life…needs to be taken several times per day.
Combined T3/T4 : Most common medication is Armour thyroid, FDA approved, standardized amounts of T3 and T4 and first introduced in the late 1800’s for the treatment of hypothyroidism. There are a number of other T3/T4 combination medications available…not just Armour…and may have a slightly different ratios of T3 and T4. Compounding pharmacies can make T3/T4 medications individualized to the needs of the patient.
***I strongly do not recommend thyroid gland - based supplements. The levels of thyroid hormone are not standardized and results are quite variable. High dose iodine has no role in treating hypothyroidism. It can be toxic***
Most physicians only prescribe T4 and, truth be told, T4 works just fine for most patients. However, in my experience, about 20 - 30% of patients who need thyroid medication simply do not do well on T4. For a variety of reasons, they may not convert T4 into T3 very well or they simply need extra T3. The majority of these patients will do well on a T3/T4 combination medication.
For most medical conditions, a number of medications are available because no one medication works for everyone.
For hypothyroidism, only one medication (T4) is recommended and this is wrong. People are different and good options are available.
