4. Thyroid Desiccated: The Natural Alternative
Thyroid Desiccated, also known as natural desiccated thyroid (NDT), is a somewhat controversial but undeniably important thyroid hormone replacement. Derived from the dried thyroid glands of pigs, it contains a natural mix of thyroid hormones, primarily T4 and T3.
The primary advantage of Thyroid Desiccated is its ‘natural’ tag, which appeals to many patients. Its composition closely mirrors the natural hormone output of the human thyroid gland. This similarity means it can effectively manage symptoms of hypothyroidism following thyroid cancer treatment, just like its synthetic counterparts.
For many years, Thyroid Desiccated was the go-to treatment for hypothyroidism. However, the advent of synthetic hormones with more stable, predictable formulations has seen its use decrease over time. Some medical professionals express concerns about batch-to-batch consistency and the ratio of T3 to T4, which may not suit all patients.
Despite these concerns, there are still patients who report feeling better on Thyroid Desiccated compared to synthetic options. As such, it remains an option for those who don’t respond well to Levothyroxine or Liotrix. While it’s not the first choice for most clinicians, its existence widens the scope of options available for personalized thyroid cancer treatment. (4)
