Download my free thyroid resources here (including hypothyroid symptoms checklist, the complete list of thyroid lab tests + optimal ranges, foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease, and more): Today we are going to be discussing the difference between synthetic thyroid medication and natural thyroid medication.
You're probably thinking that natural is superior to synthetic simply based upon the name and there are many people who believe that. But once you break down the actual ingredients you can see that synthetic may not be as bad as you think.
So, what is synthetic thyroid medication? Synthetic thyroid medications include Synthroid and levothyroxine (there are others but most people think of these when they think about synthetic).
Synthetic medications are said to be, well, synthetic or fake.
What are natural thyroid medications? Natural thyroid medications, otherwise known as NDT or natural desiccated thyroid hormone, are medications such as Armour thyroid and NP thyroid.
These medications are said to be superior because they are NATURAL.
But is this really true?
Somewhat. It turns out that ALL thyroid medications, including Synthroid/levo and natural medications contain the SAME thyroid hormones. There is no difference in the T4 found in synthetic medications vs the T4 found in natural medications vs the T4 that your own thyroid gland produces naturally.
Where they do differ is in the SOURCE and additional hormones found inside certain medications.
Synthroid, for instance, only has T4 thyroid hormone. Natural medications such as Armour thyroid contain both T4 and T3 which closely match the amount of hormone that your body produces naturally.
This is why most people do better taking natural medications over Synthroid BUT there is still definitely a place for the use of these "synthetic" medications as well.
Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- For thyroid hormone production and conversion: +
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I'm Dr. Westin Childs and I focus on thyroid health, hormone balance, and weight loss. I write about thyroid disorders, weight loss, insulin resistance, estrogen/progesterone balance on my blog. I truly believe that hormone balance is the key to managing your weight, your mood and your quality of life which is why I'm so passionate about it.
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This video is not intended to be used as medical advice. If you have questions about your health please consult your physician or primary care provider. Dr. Westin Childs goes to great lengths to produce high-quality content but this is NOT a substitute for medical care.
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