Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. This deficiency of thyroid hormones can disrupt such things as heart rate, body temperature, and all aspects of metabolism.
Hypothyroid Symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Weight gain
- Puffy face
- Hoarseness
- Muscle weakness
- Elevated blood cholesterol level
- Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
- Pain, stiffness or swelling in the joints
- Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods
- Thinning hair
- Slowed heart rate
- Depression
- Impaired memory
- Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)
While there are many commercially available thyroid medications, these may not be the best option for your patient. Compounded thyroid replacement offers a more tailored approach to treating underacting thyroid. At Peninsula Compounding Pharmacy we can customize medications by adjusting the strength, ingredients, and formulation to fit a patient’s specific needs.
How does Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy Work?
Commercially available natural and synthetic products come in limited dosage strengths, and are made with inactive ingredients to which some people may be allergic or sensitive. Meanwhile, compounded thyroid replacement therapy can offer a personalized approach to treatment that may overcome some of the barriers seen with traditional retail products. Some of the custom approaches include:
- Personalized inactive ingredients: Thyroid replacement therapy can be compounded without certain inactive ingredients such as dye, sugar, gluten, or soy that may cause sensitivities or allergic reactions.
- Tailored active ingredients: The body produces two kinds of thyroid hormones? They are triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). While T3 is the more active of the two forms, natural or synthetic T4 is the most common commercially available form. From there, the body will convert T4 to T3 in order to regulate a hormonal imbalance. However, a variety of factors including nutrition, non-thyroidal hormones, drugs, and illness can affect this conversion process. Compounded thyroid medications can combine T3 and T4 into a single product, so the body can use the T3 immediately and convert the T4 as needed.
- Alternate formulations: Most traditional retail thyroid medications are immediate release formulations. However Peninsula Compounding Pharmacy can create sustained-release thyroid preparations so the hormone can be released continuously throughout the day.
Low Dose Naltrexone for Thyroid
For many years, Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) has been used in synergistic adjunct with thyroid replacement therapy in patients with a variety of thyroid disorders.
The reason for adding LDN to thyroid regimen is quite simple: LDN has anti-inflammatory properties which can negate the potential root causes (i.e. emotional stress, diabetes, toxins, obesity, etc.) and increased endorphin function may help in modulating the immune system. LDN has been shown to inhibit cells that cause the autoimmunity process. As the patient start to feel better and thyroid markers begin to decrease, thyroid replacement medications will need to be adjusted, as well. A significant amount of patients have seen major benefits of LDN on their thyroid function and quality of life.