Desiccated thyroid
Desiccated thyroid is a prescription medication used to treat hypothyroidism. Derived from porcine thyroid glands, it contains a full spectrum of thyroid hormones that’s regulated and standardized.
It can be a suitable alternative to synthetic thyroid medications such as levothyroxine or commonly known as Synthroid (T4-only) or liothyronine (T3-only) and may be particularly helpful for individuals who haven’t responded optimally to conventional therapies.
Difference between Levothyroxine and Desiccated Thyroid
Levothyroxine provides just one thyroid hormone, T4. While the body is designed to convert T4 into T3, which is the more active form of thyroid, some people don’t convert efficiently.
Natural desiccated thyroid offers both T4 and T3. Many people who feel underwhelmed on T4-alone medications experience noticeable improvement when T3 is reintroduced via desiccated thyroid.
Forms of NDT
In Canada, desiccated thyroid is available only by prescription and comes in two main forms:
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ERFA Thyroid: A widely available tablet form, produced in standardized dosages (30 mg, 60 mg, and 125 mg). It’s the most common form and often considered a generic option.
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Compounded Desiccated Thyroid: Custom-prepared by specialized pharmacies. It comes in capsule form and is made from powdered thyroid, typically with fewer fillers than commercial brands.
Safety
There’s long been debate around the safety and standardization of desiccated thyroid. In the past, variability in hormone content from tablet to tablet was a valid concern. However, Canadian regulations now require desiccated thyroid products, like all pharmaceuticals, to have a Drug Identification Number (DIN). This ensures oversight by Health Canada and enforces standards for dosage, manufacturing, and batch consistency.
Making the choice
There’s no universal answer—some people thrive on Synthroid, while others experience a significant difference on desiccated thyroid. Research on this is ongoing, but one notable study (2013) found that nearly half of patients preferred desiccated thyroid over levothyroxine, with better outcomes in areas like weight loss (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23539727/).
Let’s Talk Thyroid
If you’re curious about desiccated thyroid or wondering whether it’s a fit for you, I’d be happy to help. Book an initial consult where I’ll take a detailed health history and go over labs and symptoms.