Second Nature Care Blog

Thyroid Health - Second Nature Care

[fa icon="calendar'] Jan 28, 2015 10:00:00 AM / by Dr. Isadora Guggenheim

The butterfly has become the symbol of the thyroid movement.  Second Nature Care has thyroid options.

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the middle of your neck that regulates your temperature, energy levels, brain, heart, muscles and other organs.  If you've been diagnosed with hypothyroidism or low functioning thyroid you might be taking an RX of Synthroid.  Did you know that Synthroid is affected by several medications?  Find out which ones. 

Thyroid health begins at Second Nature Care. 

We stay up-to-date with the literature and an interesting study was just published yesterday about medication interactions with a thyroid medication - Synthyroid. These medications are co-administered to patients who have hypothyroidism.  Book your new patient appointment with your Second Nature Care specialist.  

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It's called the TEARS study.  It's a retrospective analysis linking biochemistry and prescription data from Jan.1, 1993 to Dec. 31, 2012.  TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone was the studied marker to reflect drug interactions. 

Results show that iron, calcium, proton pump inhibitors and estrogen all increased serum TSH concentration levels.  Statins decreased TSH concentration.  The study suggested that these drugs reduced the effectiveness of Synthroid and TSH concentrations should be carefully monitored because of these findings. 

Millions of women and men are prescribed thyroid hormone replacement. It is recognized that hypothyroidism is commonly caused by autoimmune disease.  TSH is tested because it is sensitive to the plasma concentration of free thryoid hormones.  It is used to check the effectiveness of Synthroid replacement therapy. 

If you take iron (ferrous sulphate) with Synthroid it can cause a hypothyroid state.  Iron binds to thyroxine and creates disrupted absorption issues.  

Estrogen increases the amount of thyroid binding globulin which bind to free circulating thyroid hormone in circulation. If you take sex hormone replacement therapy you might have to increase your thyroid hormones.

Thyroxine binds to calcium carbonate (antacid) in an acidic environment making your thyroid hormone less bioavailable.  Serum TSH increases because there is less thyroid hormone in circulation. Proton pump inhibitors suppress stomach acid production making thyroid hormone absorption less achievable. 

Four hours was the recommended window space between thryoid medications and other medications. The change in serum TSH is more likely due to patients who take a steady daily dose of thyroxine over time rather than medication spacing.  You are more likely to increase your risk of recurrent hypothryoidism if you've been taking thyroid hormone replacement for more than 2 years and taking these other drugs. 

We offer full testing panels and individualized treatment options for your thyroid condition at Second Nature. We find the "root cause of your disease" so we can reverse it.  We prescribe Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid - the best natural T3 and T4 hormone replacement.  Gluten and corn-free, no artifical colors and no FDA recalls, our medication contains natural T3, T4, thyroid co-factors T1, T2, calcitonin and iodine.

Natural forms are better and our patients feel great. Their bodies know the difference synthetic and natural. Call us if you want to look and feel your best.  

Topics: Autoimmune Disease, Healthy Living

Isadora Guggenheim, ND, FNP, RN, MS, CNS, LMT, owner of Second Nature Naturopathic Care, LLC
For all appointments: Tel: 845 358-8385 Fax: 845 358-2963 drguggenheim@msn.com