What do they do? The hormones of the thyroid gland regulate
metabolism in every cell of the body. The medical treatment of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) usually involves a
prescription of synthetic thyroid hormones
(thyroxine and/or triiodothyronine) or thyroid extract (desiccated thyroid). The difference
between prescription thyroid extract and the thyroid extracts sold as nutritional supplements,
is the latter are required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be free of the known
active thyroid hormones (thyroxine and
triiodothyronine). The use of hormone-free thyroid preparations has not been evaluated in
scientific studies, but some doctors believe these products may provide nutritional support to
the thyroid gland or contain other compounds with possible hormonal activity.
Where are they found? Thyroid extracts are available as
nutritional supplements in capsules and tablets.
Thyroid extracts have been
used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the
individual health concern for complete information):
Who is likely to be deficient? As thyroid extract is not an
essential nutrient, therefore, no deficiency state exists.
How much is usually taken? The recommended intake depends on
the concentration, method of preparation, and quality of the thyroid extract. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation on the label.
Are there any side effects or interactions? No side effects or
adverse reactions have been reported. However, people taking prescription thyroid hormones should consult their doctor before using
non-prescription thyroid extracts.
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions
with thyroid extracts.
Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved.
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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational
purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro),
clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may
not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with
prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor,
practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or
before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2003.
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