$Unique_ID{BRK01496}
$Pretitle{Endocrine Glands and Metabolism}
$Title{Thyroid Medication "Too Complicated to Explain"?}
$Subject{glands thyroid medication}
$Volume{C-22}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Thyroid Medication "Too Complicated to Explain"?


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QUESTION:  I have had to take some type of thyroid medication for the better
part of my adult life.  I started with simple thyroid tablets years ago, but
as I have had to change doctors over the years, both the type and amount of my
medications have also been changed.  When I ask about it, the doctor usually
just shrugs his shoulder and tells me "its too complicated to explain".  I
suppose it is too complicated for you too, but I hope you will try for my
benefit and lots of your other readers.

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ANSWER:  It is not all that complicated, but its a bit more difficult without
being able to draw a diagram or two.  However here we go.  The thyroid gland
produces two chemicals, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).  T3 is the
biologically active form of thyroid hormone, and T4 acts as a reserve which
can be rapidly converted into the active form when needed.  The hypothalamus
located at the base of the brain, monitors the amount of T3 and T4 circulating
in the blood and releases a hormone, thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), when
more thyroid hormone is needed.  TRH acts on the pituitary gland, which in
turn produces thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) which "stimulates" the thyroid
gland into thyroid hormone production.  To provide additional hormone to
patients who do not produce enough of their own, a variety of preparations
made from dried and purified extract of animal thyroids can be used.  Though
every effort is made to maintain the exact dosage, the concentration of T3 and
T4 in these natural preparations may vary.  However we now have a number of
synthetic preparations available in which the active ingredients are well
controlled.  It is probably these newer preparations which have been
substituted for the extract you were taking formerly.  Since we can also
determine the amount of TSH, T3 and T4 circulating in the blood, these tests
are used to assure that the right dosage is being taken to restore the body
metabolism to normal.  When this achieved the signs of hypothyroidism,
lethargy and dullness, sparse and dry hair, coarse and scaly thick skin,
rapidly disappear.  Now, I hope my explanation was not too complicated, but
provides the information and help you requested.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
