Desiccated Thyroid: Benefits, Risks, and How It Compares to Synthetic Hormones

Table of Contents

1. What to Know About Hypothyroidism Medications
2. What Is Desiccated Thyroid Extract?
3. Synthetics vs. Desiccated Thyroid: Understanding the Differences
4. Are There Risks or Side Effects to Desiccated Thyroid?
5. A Functional Medicine Approach to Thyroid Support
6. Partner With Your Body for Optimal Thyroid Function
7. FAQs

I know all too well about the confusion and frustration that surrounds finding the right supplemental thyroid hormone. When I was diagnosed with Graves' disease in medical school, conventional medicine gave me very few choices. I was offered propylthiouracil (PTU), which eventually devastated my liver, or radioactive iodine to ablate my thyroid, or surgical removal. I eventually chose to ablate my thyroid, a decision I still regret today.

Because my thyroid gland was destroyed, I must take daily supplemental thyroid hormone to function. Over the last twenty years as both a thyroid patient and a functional medicine physician, I have learned that managing thyroid hormone levels is just as much an art as it is a science.

Desiccated thyroid extract is the only thyroid medication I take and recommend to those with hypothyroidism. Here, I will explain what desiccated thyroid is, how it compares to synthetic options, and how to support your body's thyroid pathway naturally.

What to Know About Hypothyroidism Medications

Before examining the specific medication options, it is essential to understand that thyroid medications are different from the immunosuppressants used to treat other autoimmune conditions. Thyroid medications are replacement hormones that are necessary for survival if your thyroid gland is damaged or missing.

Your thyroid acts as your body's power generator, sending energy to every cell through its hormones. The regulation of these hormones begins in your brain. The hypothalamus monitors the level of thyroid hormones in your bloodstream. If it detects low levels, it releases Thyroid Releasing Hormone (TRH) to your pituitary gland. Your pituitary gland then releases Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) to prompt the thyroid to produce hormones.

Using tyrosine and iodine, your thyroid produces T1, T2, T3, and T4. The primary output is T4, which is the storage form of the hormone. Your body must convert this inactive T4 into active T3, which is the hormone that actually powers your cells.

Conventional doctors often only test TSH and T4 levels to manage hypothyroidism, which only tells a small part of the story. To get a complete picture, a comprehensive panel should test TSH, Free T4, Free T3, and Reverse T3, alongside thyroid antibodies (TPOAb and TgAb). Many people continue to struggle with persistent symptoms because their active T3 levels remain low, even when their TSH appears optimal. Understanding what your endocrinologist may not be telling you about Hashimoto's is key to advocating for the correct tests.

What Is Desiccated Thyroid Extract?

Desiccated thyroid is a natural, prescription supplemental thyroid hormone derived from the dried thyroid glands of pigs. Common brand names include Armour® Thyroid, WP Thyroid®, and Nature-Throid®.

Unlike synthetic medications, desiccated thyroid provides the entire spectrum of thyroid hormones, including T4, T3, T2, and T1. This is particularly beneficial for those patients who have difficulty converting T4 to active T3.

Desiccated thyroid also includes thyroglobulin, the binding protein that naturally carries thyroid hormones through your bloodstream. Thyroglobulin slows down the release of T3, allowing a single dose of desiccated thyroid to last throughout the day without the sudden spikes and crashes often associated with synthetic T3. I found desiccated thyroid to be the most complete option for my patients because it is the most similar to the body's natural processes.

Synthetics vs. Desiccated Thyroid: Understanding the Differences

To understand why some patients prefer desiccated thyroid, it is helpful to compare the primary prescription options available for hypothyroidism.

Synthetic T4 medications are the most commonly prescribed thyroid treatments in America. However, because they do not provide any T3, patients who struggle with T4 to T3 conversion often continue to experience fatigue, brain fog, and weight gain. Conversion can be hindered by gut inflammation, adrenal fatigue, or nutritional deficiencies. (2)

Synthetic T3 is sometimes added to supplement T4, yet because it lacks thyroglobulin, it breaks down rapidly. This can create a sudden burst of energy followed by a crash, leaving some patients feeling jittery shortly after taking it.

Desiccated thyroid medications provide a more balanced approach. Multiple studies show that some patients prefer desiccated thyroid over synthetic T4-only treatment because of better symptom management. (4) While some conventional doctors worry about dosage consistency in natural extracts, desiccated thyroid has been strictly regulated since the 1980s to meet the same standardization guidelines as synthetic options. (4) If you are exploring medication changes, read more on which thyroid medication is best.

Are There Risks or Side Effects to Desiccated Thyroid?

While desiccated thyroid is highly effective, there are specific factors to discuss with your doctor. Pigs produce thyroid hormones at a lower ratio of T4 to T3 (approximately 4.2:1) compared to the human ratio (approximately 11:1). Because of this difference, some patients taking desiccated thyroid must supplement with a small dose of synthetic T4 to keep their Free T4 and Free T3 levels balanced. This is the combination I take.

Fluctuations in hormone levels can cause potential imbalances. The side effects associated with desiccated thyroid include: (5)

• Changes in the menstrual cycle
• Hot flashes
• Lack of appetite
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rapid mood changes
• Rapid weight loss
• Trouble sleeping

Additionally, desiccated thyroid is a prescription medication, not a weight loss treatment, and is contraindicated for anyone with a pork allergy. (6)

It is also important to clarify a common point of confusion. While some people search for the best desiccated thyroid supplements, true desiccated thyroid is a prescription drug. There are no over-the-counter desiccated thyroid supplements. Products marketed as such are typically raw glandular extracts that lack standardized hormone levels and are not recommended due to safety concerns. Instead, the focus should be on high-quality supplements that support your body's utilization of thyroid hormones.

A Functional Medicine Approach to Thyroid Support

While finding the correct supplemental thyroid hormone is essential, medication only addresses the symptom of low hormone levels. The real progress comes from identifying the underlying factors that caused your thyroid dysfunction and supporting your body's systems naturally. This is the foundation of The Myers Way®.

To support optimal thyroid function while following this approach, I recommend addressing nutritional deficiencies and supporting your body's stress response. If you have Hashimoto's, the Hashimoto's Support Bundle is designed to provide targeted support, while the Graves' Support Bundle is formulated for those managing hyperthyroidism.

Key nutrients and botanicals to support this pathway include:

• The Myers Way® Multivitamin. Formulated with optimal levels of selenium, zinc, and iodine, which are essential nutrients for thyroid function.
• Adrenal Support. Supports the critical Adrenal-Thyroid Connection to support the conversion of T4 to active T3.
• ZenAdapt™. Helps your body maintain a balanced stress response to prevent elevated cortisol from interfering with thyroid hormone utilization.

By supporting your gut, removing inflammatory foods, taming toxins, and relieving stress, you create the environment your thyroid needs to thrive.

Partner With Your Body for Optimal Thyroid Function

Managing thyroid dysfunction is a highly individual process. Supplemental thyroid hormone is a valuable and often necessary tool, and its effectiveness depends on how well your body can utilize it. By pairing the right prescription options with supportive lifestyle choices, gut healing, and targeted nutrients, you can optimize your hormone levels, regain your energy, and take back your health.

FAQs

• What is desiccated thyroid, and how does it compare to synthetic T4?
  Desiccated thyroid is a natural, prescription thyroid medication derived from the dried thyroid glands of pigs. Common brands include Armour® Thyroid, WP Thyroid®, and Nature-Throid®. Unlike synthetic T4 medications, such as Synthroid® or Levoxyl®, which only provide inactive T4, desiccated thyroid delivers the entire spectrum of thyroid hormones, T4, T3, T2, and T1, alongside thyroglobulin. This protein slows the release of active T3, supporting more stable hormone levels throughout the day.
• Are desiccated thyroid medications consistent in their dosages?
  Yes. Although there was concern about inconsistent hormone levels in natural extracts decades ago, desiccated thyroid has been strictly regulated since the 1980s. Modern desiccated thyroid extracts are standardized to meet the exact same guidelines for potency and consistency as synthetic thyroid medications, ensuring a precise amount of hormone in every dose.
• What are the common desiccated thyroid extract side effects?
  Potential side effects can occur if your dosage is not yet optimized. These include hot flashes, trouble sleeping, muscle weakness, changes in appetite, rapid weight loss, rapid mood changes, and changes in your menstrual cycle. (5) Because true desiccated thyroid is a prescription drug, you should avoid over-the-counter glandular extracts, which are unregulated and can cause unpredictable hormone fluctuations.
• Can you take desiccated thyroid if you have Hashimoto's or Graves' disease?
  Yes, though the application is different. Desiccated thyroid is used to manage hypothyroidism, which is most commonly caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis. It is not used to manage active Graves' disease, which causes hyperthyroidism. However, if you have had your thyroid removed or ablated to manage Graves' disease, you will transition to a hypothyroid state and will require daily supplemental thyroid hormone, at which point desiccated thyroid becomes an option.
• How do I know if my dose of desiccated thyroid is correct?
  Your doctor should monitor your symptoms alongside a comprehensive thyroid panel, including TSH, Free T4, Free T3, and Reverse T3, rather than TSH alone. If you experience jitteriness, a racing heart, or trouble sleeping, your dose may be too high. Persistent fatigue, feeling cold, and slow digestion can indicate that your dose needs adjustment. Working with a functional medicine physician can help you find the correct individual balance.