Many people suffer from low thyroid or hypothyroidism. The thyroid is the largest endocrine gland in the body and is responsible for regulating the rate of metabolism in the body, and balancing other systems in the body. Those with hypothyroidism need thyroid support supplements. The most common form of thyroid replacement therapy is a T4 replacement drug. Many people however have not been satisfied with the result, often complaining of fatigue, weight gain, and body aches. A recent study finds that T4 replacement with the addition of T3 was more effective in many patients
Research published in the May 2005 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reported on a recent study that found that patients preferred thyroid treatment that included a combination of levothyroxine (T4) and T3, rather than the usual levothyroxine (T4 only) treatment, and that combination treatment was associated with weight loss. This clinical trial is the largest to date, and the first since the Bunevicius study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1999 that confirms a beneficial effect of combination T4/T3 therapy for hypothyroidism.
Some particular findings of interest:
* A decrease in body weight — but not a decrease in serum TSH — was correlated with increased satisfaction with study medication.
* In both combination groups, there was a decrease in weight, most pronounced in the 5:1 ratio group, who had a mean decrease of 1.7 kg, or 3.75 pounds. Theh 10:1 group had a mean weight loss of 1 pound. The T4-only group had no change in weight.
* Of the patients who preferred combined therapy, 44% had serum TSH less than 0.11.
* Measurable changes in mood, fatigue, well-being, and neurocognitive functions could not be identified to explain the patient preference for the combination treatment.
When your thyroid support medication is working properly, you just feel better. Other conditions associated with low thyroid include intolerance to cold, thinning hair, brittle nails, and problems with sleep – to the point of needing sleep aids.