Fact Check: "Natural desiccated thyroid is the only product which makes well again those patients for who levothyroxine is ineffective"
What We Know
Natural desiccated thyroid (DTE) is derived from porcine thyroid glands and has been used as a treatment for hypothyroidism. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism compared DTE with levothyroxine (L-T₄) in hypothyroid patients. The study found that while DTE did not significantly improve overall quality of life compared to L-T₄, nearly half (48.6%) of the patients preferred DTE over L-T₄ due to subjective symptom improvement and modest weight loss during treatment (source-1).
Another study highlighted that outcomes were similar among patients taking DTE, L-T₄, and a combination of L-T₄ and liothyronine (L-T₃). However, it noted that the most symptomatic patients on L-T₄ showed a strong preference for treatments containing T₃, including DTE (source-2).
Analysis
The claim that DTE is the only effective treatment for patients who do not respond well to levothyroxine is misleading. While it is true that some patients report feeling better on DTE compared to L-T₄, the evidence does not support the assertion that DTE is the sole effective alternative. The studies indicate that a significant portion of patients (48.6%) preferred DTE, but this does not equate to it being the only effective treatment option.
Moreover, the studies also show that for many patients, particularly those who are most symptomatic, a combination of L-T₄ and L-T₃ may yield better results than either treatment alone. Thus, while DTE may be beneficial for some patients, it is not universally effective for all who find L-T₄ inadequate. The reliability of the sources used is high, as they come from peer-reviewed medical journals and involve randomized controlled trials, which are considered the gold standard in clinical research.
Conclusion
Verdict: Partially True
The claim that natural desiccated thyroid is the only product that effectively treats patients for whom levothyroxine is ineffective is partially true. While DTE does provide benefits for some patients who do not feel well on L-T₄, it is not the only alternative treatment available. Other options, such as a combination of L-T₄ and L-T₃, may also be effective for certain individuals. Therefore, the statement lacks nuance and overlooks other viable treatment strategies.
Sources
- Desiccated thyroid extract compared with levothyroxine in ... PubMed
- Comparative Effectiveness of Levothyroxine, Desiccated ... PMC
- Levothyroxine vs. Natural Desiccated Thyroid Medication Paloma Health
