Thyroid Replacement TherapyWe have a special interest in Thyroid health
Thyroid hormones impacts many body systems, so deficiencies can produce a wide array of symptoms. Unfortunately, common screening techniques fail to detect many cases of more subtle deficiency. Our clinic focuses on advanced Thyroid testing and treatment for our Edmonton patients. The Naturopathic Doctors at TruMed frequently use nutritional and herbal treatments for Thyroid health. Our Nurse Practitioner offers more advanced treatments such as Natural Desiccated Thyroid. |
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Thyroid TestingAs with other hormones, the key to successful treatment is comprehensive testing. Typically, family doctors in the Edmonton area are only testing the TSH when screening for Thyroid issues.We have found that TSH testing is helpful in detecting gross abnormalities in Thyroid function. However there is a subset of patients, that experience Hypothyroid symptoms despite a normal TSH. Our practitioners always run TSH, as well as Free T3 & T4 in our Edmonton patients. Oftentimes abnormalities in T3 levels correlate more clearly with patients' symptoms. We always test Free T3 and Free T4 in our patients on Synthroid and many times we see patients that we deem as "poor convertors" that is, they do not appropriately convert Synthroid (T4) into T3 (the most active Thyroid hormone). Our Naturopathic doctors usually like to see the Free T3 around 5.0-6.0 pmol/L for most patients to feel their best. We are also able to test Thyroid antibodies, iodine and bromine Levels, as well as numerous adrenal parameters for a robust Thyroid workup for our Edmonton patients.
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 Experienced with Natural Thyroid Support |
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Thyroid Hormone ReplacementAt our Edmonton clinic, our practitioners often detect milder cases of Hypothyroidism, where serum levels of free T4 and free T3 are often in the normal range (though typically in the low-normal range). Even in these milder cases, they often have pronounced symptoms including fatigue, weight gain, low mood and menstrual irregularity. Although we usually start by balancing the Thyroid naturally, some patients need stronger options. Although herbs and nutrients can stimulate and improve Thyroid values - clinically, they often fall flat in terms symptom management. Our Naturopaths may suggest Thyroid replacement treatments (Natural Desiccated Thyroid, cytomel) through referral to our Nurse Practitioner Melisse Smith. Thyroid PreparationsSynthroid - contains T4, which is a relatively inactive Thyroid hormone that needs to be converted to T3 which is the principle active hormone. A significant minority of Hypothyroid patients have insufficient symptomatic improvement after treatment with Synthroid - likely due to conversion obstacles. Desiccated Thyroid - Is animal derived and contains approximately 80% T4 and 20% T3, as well as T1 and T2 which are all also secreted by the human Thyroid gland so it is a much closer approximation of what we produce. We have seen many of our Edmonton patients respond dramatically better to Desiccated Thyroid compared to Synthroid - which is likely related to the higher T3 level so it's our top Thyroid HRT option. Cytomel - Pure T3, which is the most biologically active Thyroid hormone can be added to T4 preparations or given on its own in both immediate release and slow release format. T3 is one option to augment Synthroid or can provide a "boost" for those with slightly suboptimal T3 levels for symptoms such as fatigue or weight gain. |
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 Find where you need support. |
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Our ExperienceDesiccated Thyroid is our experience is more often effective than levothyroxine (Synthroid) for a wide range of symptoms. Most patients who have tried both preparations typically find Desiccated Thyroid to be more effective. We estimate that only 1 or 2 patients out of 10 patients transitioned to Dessicated feel that the effect is similar (or in other words approximately 8 or 9 patients our of 10 feel the effect is better!). Many patients switching to an equivalent dose of Desiccated Thyroid often remark that they feel "much more like themselves" on Desiccated also referred to as NDT. Synthroid consists solely of T4, whereas Natural Desiccated Thyroid contains approximately 80% T4 and 20% T3, as well T2 (diiodotyrosine) and T1 (monoiodotyrosine). In fact the T1 & T2 are thought to be why Desiccated Thyroid feels so good for so many patients. We've seen numerous patients with Cytomel (liothyronine or T3) added to their Synthroid (T4) that don't feel as good as they do when they are on Desiccated (T1, T2, T3, T4) which suggests that T1 & T2 are likely important ingredients for our Edmonton Thyroid patients to feel their best. Thyroid Replacement DataIn one study, in 1,994 Hypothyroid patients were examined it was found that about 10% of patients on moderate doses of levothyroxine (Synthroid) who were considered "normal" according to their TSH level but had a subnormal free-T3 level. Our Naturopaths see many patients like this at our Edmonton clinic. To be frank, if your free T3 is suboptimal (let alone subnormal!) you can feel horrible with regards to any of the common Thyroid symptoms - Fatigue, Weight gain, Edema, Brain Fog, Depression etc. . .
Desiccated Thyroid vs. Synthroid - A 2013 double-blind trial - Seventy Hypothyroid patients who were on a stable dose of Synthroid for at least 6 months were randomly given (in a double-blind fashion) - Synthroid or Desiccated Thyroid for 16 weeks, and then the alternate treatment for an additional 16 weeks. TSH levels were measured and the dosage of either medication was adjusted to maintain a TSH level between 0.5 and 3.0.
Interestingly, but not surprisingly, mean body weight was 2.86 pounds lower with Desiccated by the end of the study. There was actually some suggestion that the way the medication was converted actually resulted in slight underdosing of the Desiccated which suggests that the preference would have actually been higher if the authors got it right the first time. We'll help you understand if Desiccated Thyroid is needed in your case. Questions?Call Us
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