Medications and Thyroid Function
Many medications can have a negative impact on thyroid function. For example, thyroid dysfunction often accompanies the debilitating brain and muscle side effects that have occurred in women who have received the hormone-suppressing drug Lupron or the HPV vaccine Gardasil.
These side effects are unusually similar to the inflammatory symptoms that accompany multiple sclerosis (MS). Years of animal research have demonstrated an improvement in MS symptoms after triiodothyronine (T3) administration. T3 seems to put the brakes on damage to the nerve sheath and actually promotes healing of the nerve.
People with inflammatory nerve conditions, who are also experiencing hypothyroid symptoms, may benefit from taking T3. Levothyroxine (T4) alone may not be enough, as studies have shown that critically ill patients with low thyroid function do not benefit from taking just T4.
Compounded Thyroid Medication Options
People with low thyroid function often turn to compounding pharmacies in their search for additive-free, natural thyroid medications. Many are sensitive to the fillers and binders used in the manufacturing of compressed thyroid tablet formulations. Patients with autoimmune thyroid problems, for example, may respond better to corn-free thyroid medications. Others with lactose intolerance will want compounded thyroid medications that are lactose-free.
Women’s International Pharmacy has been compounding thyroid capsules in a variety of oils for years. We are able to compound liothyronine (T3) and levothyroxine (T4) as separate compounds, or in combination with each other. These compounded thyroid medications use bioidentical thyroid hormones synthesized in the laboratory from a non-animal source. They contain T3, T4, or both, compounded with a small amount of oil (usually olive oil) and encapsulated in gelatin capsules, with vegetarian or dye-free options.
We are also able to compound desiccated porcine thyroid capsules in much the same manner. Desiccated porcine thyroid powder (lactose-free) contains a fixed ratio of T3 to T4. Each powder lot comes with a certificate of analysis for the concentration of T3 and T4.
All compounded medications require a prescription from a licensed medical practitioner. If you are interested in compounded thyroid hormone capsules, call 800.279.5708 to discuss options with one of our pharmacists.
Written by Kathy Lynch, PharmD – Women’s International Pharmacy
Edited by Michelle Violi, PharmD – Women’s International Pharmacy
© Women’s International Pharmacy
