Fact Check: "Natural Desiccated Thyroid is the Best Treatment for Hypothyroidism"
What We Know
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones, affecting approximately 3.7% of the general U.S. population (source-1). The standard treatment for hypothyroidism has been levothyroxine (LT4), a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine, since the 1970s. However, some patients report residual symptoms while on LT4 and have sought alternatives such as natural desiccated thyroid (DTE), which is derived from animal thyroid glands (source-2).
Recent studies have compared the effectiveness of DTE with LT4 and combinations of LT4 with liothyronine (LT3). A notable study involving 75 hypothyroid patients found that overall, there were no significant differences in primary and secondary outcomes among patients treated with LT4, DTE, or LT4 + LT3. However, patients who were most symptomatic on LT4 showed a preference for treatments that included T3, which could include DTE (source-1).
Analysis
The claim that "natural desiccated thyroid is the best treatment for hypothyroidism" is nuanced. While some patients report feeling better on DTE compared to LT4, the evidence does not consistently support DTE as superior for all patients. The study referenced indicates that while DTE may be preferred by some symptomatic patients, it does not outperform LT4 in the general population of hypothyroid patients (source-1).
Moreover, professional medical guidelines recommend LT4 as the first-line treatment due to its established safety and efficacy. The preference for DTE among some patients may stem from individual experiences rather than robust clinical evidence. The American, European, and British Thyroid Associations have noted that previous studies did not adequately focus on symptomatic patients, suggesting a need for more targeted research (source-2).
The reliability of the sources is generally high, as they are published in peer-reviewed medical journals and involve clinical trials. However, anecdotal evidence and patient preferences can introduce bias, making it essential to interpret findings within the context of broader clinical guidelines and evidence (source-3).
Conclusion
The claim that "natural desiccated thyroid is the best treatment for hypothyroidism" is Partially True. While DTE may offer benefits for certain symptomatic patients who do not respond well to LT4, it is not universally the best treatment option. The majority of clinical evidence supports LT4 as the standard of care, and DTE should be considered on a case-by-case basis, particularly for those who have not achieved satisfactory symptom relief with LT4 alone.
Sources
- Comparative Effectiveness of Levothyroxine, Desiccated Thyroid Extract, and Levothyroxine+Liothyronine in Hypothyroidism. Link
- Comparative Effectiveness of Levothyroxine, Desiccated Thyroid Extract, and Levothyroxine+Liothyronine in Hypothyroidism. Link
- Desiccated thyroid extract compared with levothyroxine in hypothyroidism. Link
- A Tale of Two Therapies- A Comparison of Armour Thyroid and Levothyroxine. Link
- Natural desiccated thyroid for the treatment of hypothyroidism? Link
- Switching from Natural Desiccated Thyroid to a Liquid Formulation of Levothyroxine. Link
- Desiccated thyroid extract vs Levothyroxine in the treatment of hypothyroidism. Link
