Thyroid Gland Disorders

Q:  What is the thyroid gland?

A:  The thyroid gland is a small gland located in the neck that produces and secretes hormones into the bloodstream.  It is regulated by the pituitary gland.

Q:  What is the function of the thyroid gland?

A:  The thyroid gland produces two hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which regulate the body’s metabolism. These hormones affect nearly every cell and organ in the body and are important for growth and development, body temperature, heart rate, and energy levels. The thyroid gland is also involved in the production of calcitonin, a hormone that helps regulate calcium levels in the body.

Q:  What happens when the thyroid gland is not functioning properly?

A:  If the thyroid gland is not functioning properly, it can lead to a variety of conditions, such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), and thyroid nodules. These conditions can cause a range of symptoms, such as fatigue, weight changes, mood changes, and changes in heart rate and body temperature.

Q:  For hypothyroidism, is treatment with T3 better than T4?

A:  It is not accurate to say that T3 is necessarily better than T4, as both hormones have important roles in the body and work together to regulate metabolism. T4 is produced in higher amounts by the thyroid gland and is converted into T3 in various tissues throughout the body, such as the liver and kidneys. T3 is the more biologically active form of thyroid hormone, and it has a more rapid onset and shorter half-life than T4.

In some cases, a person may have a deficiency in converting T4 to T3, which can lead to symptoms of hypothyroidism despite normal levels of T4. In these cases, treatment with T3 medication may be necessary. However, this is typically only done under the guidance of a healthcare professional and is not recommended for everyone with a thyroid condition.

Overall, the use of T3 vs T4 in treatment depends on the specific needs and conditions of the individual and should be determined by a healthcare professional.

Q:  Is thyroid extract better than levothyroxine?

A:  Thyroid extract is a natural product derived from the thyroid gland of pigs, which contains both T4 (levothyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) hormones. Levothyroxine, on the other hand, is a synthetic form of T4 hormone. In general, levothyroxine is the preferred medication for most people with hypothyroidism. It is a pure form of T4 hormone and is standardized, meaning that the dosage is consistent and can be accurately measured. Levothyroxine is also widely available and has been extensively studied for safety and effectiveness.

Thyroid extract, may have some advantages for certain individuals with hypothyroidism. However, thyroid extract is less consistent in terms of dosage and can be more difficult to find and more expensive than levothyroxine. Ultimately, the choice between thyroid extract and levothyroxine depends on individual factors such as symptoms, lab results, and preferences.