Skip to main content
a girl distressed by the pain in her neck

Thyroid Health

Subpar thyroid function is a struggle, to say the least. It affects nearly 1 in 12 Americans, and women are 5-8 times more likely to suffer from it than men. It’s a complex topic, especially since hypothyroidism can be complicated by a range of factors like Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, an autoimmune attack on your body’s own production of thyroid. Those who suffer from hypothyroidism often struggle with weight gain, thinning hair, dry skin, and fatigue – and that’s just what’s happening on the outside. Blood pressure and cholesterol can also increase, menstruation can become painful and prolonged, and the brains’ neurotransmitters can become unbalanced, leading to irritability, anxiety, depression and insomnia.

thyroid gland and symptoms of hyperthyroidism are mentioned with it

So, what’s the issue here? There are endocrinologists all over the country who treat hypothyroidism all day, and we have medications such as levothyroxine (T4) and liothyronine (T3).

The issue at hand, really, is that most physicians don’t look nearly close enough at the underlying causes of the disease, and don’t realize or discount the argument that the normal measures that are used diagnose hypothyroidism may not be enough. In addition to this, the causes of hypothyroidism such as heavy metal toxicity, low testosterone, poor nutritional status and diet, inflammation and the like aren’t given enough credence to make meaningful impacts on people’s overall health.

What Else Should My Doctor be Looking For?

Possible Causes Effect on Thyroid Hormones Notes
Acute or Chronic Dieting Decrease intracellular T3 levels up to 50%
Decrease Basal Metabolic Rate by 15-40%
With chronic dieting, thyroid levels and metabolism may not recover.
Inflammation Conversion from T4 to T3
Decreased Intracellular T3
Inflammatory cytokines are high (IL-1, IL-6, CRP>3mg/l, TNF-alpha)
Insulin Resistance (Diabetes) Conversion from T4 to T3 decreases (45%)
Decreased Intracellular T3
Increase in rT3 (inactive T3)
Normal Individual converts appx 77% of T4 to T3
Also suppresses Testosterone levels
Obesity & Leptin Resistance Low Intracellular T3 Leptin >10 demonstrates low Intracellular T3
Greater than moderate exercise Reduced T4 to T3 conversion
Increased rT3 (inactive T3)
 
Iron Deficiency Reduced T4 to T3 conversion
Increased rT3 (inactive T3)
A ferritin < 70 will result in diminished intracellular T3
Low Vitamin D3   May need levels in range of 50-70ng/mL
Low B Vitamins (B1, B3, B6) & Vitamin C Slows the conversion of T4 to T3 Important for T4 to T3 conversion
Low Minerals (Copper, Zinc & Selenium) Slows the conversion of T4 to T3 Copper & Zinc are important for T4 to T3 conversion
Toxic Liver Slows the conversion of T4 to T3  
Stress Conversion to rT3 (Inactive T3)
Slows conversion of T4 to T3
Adrenal fatigue can result in slowed conversion of T4 to T3
Environmental Toxins [Pesticides, plastics, heavy metals (mercury and cadmium), etc.] Reduce conversion of T4 to T3 BPA from plastics, Mercury from fish, Cadmium, Halogens may be sources of toxicity
Goitrogens Decrease Iodine and thyroid production Need to cook Cabbage, Kale, Turnips, Radish

At Harbor Compounding Pharmacy, we take a functional medicine approach to treating thyroid disorders, and understand that a holistic approach is necessary to properly assess, and treat thyroid disorders. We are experts at compounding specialized thyroid formulations, and understand that combining the correct ratios of T4 and T3 in patients can make all the difference in the world to those who have not experienced benefit from T4 formulations alone.1

Many patients have tried commercially available thyroid hormones, such as levothyroxine and liothyronine, and have found combination of T4 and T3 is the only form giving them adequate relief, reporting they simply do not feel as well when they take levothyroxine or liothyronine alone. More than this, commercially available tablets contain fillers and excipients that may not be well tolerated by all patients. When we compound customized dosages, we have the ability to omit any problem-causing inactive ingredients and substitute non-reactive fillers.

When commercially available medications aren’t right for you, we can work with your doctor to prepare compounded T3 and T4 slow-release capsules in any strength. Harbor Compounding Pharmacy can assist in monitoring the effectiveness of your therapy and adjust your medication as directed by your doctor, to ensure optimal results. Our highly trained compounding pharmacists are available to discuss individualized prescriptions, thyroid conversions, and all other considerations in therapy options.

References:

1. Woeber KA. Levothyroxine therapy and serum free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine concentrations. J Endocrinol Invest. 2002;25(2):106-109.

Compounded Thyroid Hormones

  • T4 SR capsules: 20mcg, 40mcg, and other custom strengths
  • T3 SR capsules: 0.25mcg, 0.5mg, 1mcg, 1.5mcg, 2mcg, 2.5mcg, 3mcg, 4mcg, 5mcg, 10mcg, 15mcg, 20mcg, 25mcg, 30mcg, 40mcg, 50mcg, 100mcg, and other custom strengths
  • T4/T3 SR capsules: 9.5/2.25mcg, 19/4.5mcg, 38/9mcg, 47.5/11.25mcg, 57/13.5mcg, 76/18mcg, 85.5/20.25mcg, 95/22.5mcg, 114/27mcg, 152/36mcg, 190/45mcg, and other custom strengths

Porcine Thyroid Hormones

  • Armour Thyroid tablets: 15mg, 30mg, 60mg, 90mg, 120mg, 180mg
  • Nature-Throid tablets: 16.25mg, 32.5mg, 48.75mg, 65mg, 81.25mg, 97.5mg, 113.75mg, 130mg, 146.25mg, 162.5mg, 195mg
  • West-Throid Pure (WP) tablets: 16.25mg, 32.5mg, 48.75mg, 65mg, 81.25mg, 97.5mg, 113.75mg, 130mg

About Nature-Throid

Nature-Throid was released in the 1930s, making it one of the first available medications for hypothyroidism and setting the bar for natural treatment. It is a combination T4 and T3 hormone replacement made from Thyroid USP. Nature-Throid was formulated using hypoallergenic inactive ingredients and does not contain any artificial colors or flavors, corn, peanut, rice, gluten, soy, yeast, egg, fish or shellfish. The hypoallergenic and affordable medication is in high demand by doctors and patients alike.

Nature-Throid tablets contain:

  • T4 & T3 replacement hormones (desiccated porcine thyroid)
  • Thyroid cofactors (T1, T2, calcitonin and iodine) naturally occur in trace amounts
  • Gluten free
  • Available in 13 strengths

About Westhroid Pure (WP) Thyroid

WP thyroid tablets are clean and uncoated, formulated using only 2 natural inactive ingredients and do not contain any artificial colors or flavors, corn, peanut, rice, gluten, soy, yeast, egg or fish/shellfish. Since the tablets are uncoated, they may darken in color due to the absorption of ambient humidity when not stored in recommended conditions. However they still conform to USP specifications for T4 and T3 potency and stability.

Westhroid Pure tablets contain:

  • Only 2 all-natural inactive ingredients
    1. Inulin (from chicory root)
    2. Medium Chain Triglycerides (from coconut)
  • T4 & T3 replacement hormones (desiccated porcine thyroid)
  • Thyroid cofactors (T1, T2, calcitonin and iodine) naturally occur in trace amounts
  • Gluten free
  • Available in 8 strengths
Need more details?

CONTACT US TODAY

Contact Us
Back to top!