Download Thyroxine Tertroxin - Thyroid Support for Australia

Thyroxine
Currently thyroid hormone replacement therapy, artificial thyroxine (T4), is the most common
way of treating patients with hypothyroidism and patients without a thyroid gland or if you have a
non functioning gland.
The brand name Oroxine has been on the Australian market since the
1970’s or earlier. Sigma Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Ltd acquired this product from the
original manufacturer in December 1999. The formula for this product has not been changed
since its original introduction.
A second brand, Eutroxsig, was launched in 2002. Eutroxsig is the generic brand
but it is an identical product to Oroxine.
Oroxine and Eutroxsig are both available in 50 micrograms, 75
micrograms, 100 micrograms and 200 micrograms strength tablets. Both of these
products need to be kept refrigerated .
Most people have a healthy thyroid that produces about 80 % of thyroxine (T4) and
15 % of triiodothyronine (T3). A normal healthy thyroid will produce calcitonin and
some of the smaller and lesser known or thought of hormones such as
diiodothyronine (T2) & monoiodothyronine (T1).
Most thyroid patients are treated with Thyroxine (T4) and because of this only one
of the main hormones produced by the thyroid gland is replaced. In a thyroid that
is only missing T4 this is all that is needed and if this is the case all of the
thyroxine (T4) taken into your system is then converted to T3 in your body.
The cells can only use T3, so if T4 is not converted to T3 then you may still have symptoms and
remain hypothyroid despite having normal blood test results. The blood test does not show you
what happens at tissue level in your body.
Thyroxine will work well for most people with mild hypothyroidism and for people who are treated
in the very early stages. If treatment is delayed (especially if you had longstanding
hypothyroidism or severe hypothyroidism) then thyroxine alone may not be as successful. Not all
patients on full replacement therapy are symptom free when thyroxine is taken alone, either
because the dose is not optimal or they may simply need the small amount of T3 which is
produced by a healthy thyroid gland. How well thyroxine works for you also depends on your
overall health or whether you have other underlying conditions, such as other autoimmune
disorders, adrenal insufficiency, food intolerances, mineral/vitamin deficiencies and or allergies.
Tertroxin
Tertroxin is artificial T3 and is made by Sigma Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Ltd Pty and comes in
a 20 mcg tablet. …. 20 mcg of T3 is equivalent to about 50 mcg of thyroxine.
Tertroxin is taken in combination with thyroxine. This combination therapy is helpful for people
who are on full replacement therapy, but still experience symptoms of an underactive thyroid,
such as fluid retention, poor concentration, unexplained weight gains, depression and anxiety.
A healthy thyroid only produces a relatively small amount of T3 each hour. If you take the
Tertroxin in addition to thyroxine, your doctor will advise you on the amount to start with …
usually when the two are combined it is only 5 mcg at a time to avoid wild fluctuations
happening. This amount can be increased over a period of time as your doctor thinks you may
need it.
The tablet can be cut up into quarters or halved easily with a pill cutter.
Tertroxin is best taken 3 times a day (every 5 hours). A typical dose for most patients who do
not have a healthy functioning thyroid gland would be 100 mcg of thyroxine and 15 mcg of
Tertroxin (3 times 5 mcg).
Tertroxin is available on the PBS, but it is a special authority script which means that the doctor
needs to state the following; “replacement therapy for hypothyroid patients who have
documented resistance to thyroxine sodium”.
Patients will not notice any improvements if the dose of T4 and T3 is not right.
Unfortunately many doctors are not familiar with Tertroxin or are reluctant to prescribe it
under the PBS. If Tertroxin is prescribed without an authority, it will be expensive. A huge
opportunity is lost here to improve the quality of life of so many sufferers. Tertroxin can be
prescribed by a GP or an endocrinologist.
Slow Release T3 Capsules
Slow release T3 capsules are made by compounding pharmacies and come in
many different strengths, so prices vary. It contains liothyronine (artificial T3)
and has a slow release formulation.
The capsule contains hypromellose as the modified release agent and
microcrystalline cellulose as the filler. The hormone is slowly released into your
body over 12 to 24 hours. Hypromellose is slowly released unlike lactose found
in many drugs which is released instantly.
How well slow release T3 works for you will depend on your digestive system.
Slow release T3 can be taken in combination with thyroxine.
Desiccated Thyroid Extract
Desiccated thyroid extract has been a treatment for hypothyroidism since 1891. Before the
1960’s this was the only treatment available for hypothyroidism.
In the 1960’s doctors began to replace the desiccated thyroid extract with thyroxine and by the
1980’s more thyroxine was prescribed than desiccated thyroid extract. Thyroxine was marketed
as more pure and consistent than the animal extract.
Desiccated thyroid extract is a natural preparation and is made from porcine (pig) thyroid
glands. The extract is dried and powdered and has a strong characteristic odour.
Compounding pharmacists in Australia purchase Porcine Thyroid USP powder from suppliers in
the US, which is the same thyroid extract used in Armour thyroid tablets.
The dosage of Armour thyroid is measured in grains (1gr = 60mg) and is available in the
following strengths; ¼ grain, ½ grain, 1 grain 1 ½ grain, 2 grain, 3, grain, 4 grain and 5 grain.
One grain is equivalent to 38 mcg of thyroxine (T4) and 9 mcg of liothyronine (T3). The
inactive ingredients are calcium stearate, dextrose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch
glycolate and opadry white. The active ingredients contain T4, T3, calcitonin and small
amounts of T1 and T2.
The human thyroid makes more T4 and less T3 than a pig’s thyroid gland. It may therefore
be necessary to add something extra to get the correct ratio of T4 and T3, your doctor will advise
you on what is the best course of action.
Your pharmacist can also supply a slow release form, but it may still be recommended to take
the capsules twice a day. The tablets contain both T4 and T3, so it can be harder to make
adjustments to the T3. Thyroxine (T4) is best absorbed on an empty stomach, which could be
inconvenient if you tend to eat every two to three hours.
Armour thyroid tablets are usually prescribed by integrative practitioners. Although it is
considered a natural or holistic medicine, the fillers and binders which are used may not be
natural.
Compounded Treatments ~ T4/T3 Combination
The T4 and T3 are supplied by a compounding pharmacy are both artificial and are prescribed
and made up according to each patient’s needs.
If the patient is getting too much of either T4 or T3 the pharmacist can easily adjust the amounts
according to your doctors request.
Compounded prescriptions are usually more expensive and depending on your health fund you
may get a small refund for part of the cost.
What are Compounding Pharmacies?
Compounding Pharmacist’s will make you prescription as an individual and entirely tailored
medication for you. Compounded scripts are made up one at a time they are not made in bulk
and put on the shelf until you come in to collect them.
It could be that the strength of the medication you need is not manufactured by drug
companies.
Generally speaking these medications are more expensive, because they are not listed on the
PBS (pharmaceutical benefit scheme). Some private health funds will give you a partial refund of
your costs.
Side Effects of Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy
Making sure your dosage amount is right is not always easy when your thyroid becomes more
unstable with fluctuating thyroid hormone levels.
Give it time, don’t just give up as it can take about 2 weeks before you notice a difference and as
many as 6 to 8 weeks for thyroid hormone to take full effect if the dose is right.
For those patients who have suffered from severe hypothyroidism then it can take even longer
before you feel well.
The side effects that you may experience when you take thyroid hormone are usually as a
result of under treatment or over treatment.
If you have too little then you will have symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as; weight gain, dry
skin, fatigue, anxiety or depression etc. and if you take too much then you will have
symptoms of an overactive thyroid, feeling hot, fast resting pulse, heart palpitations, weight loss
or weight gain, more frequent loose stools etc.
It is very important that you know how to recognize overdose symptoms. You must monitor
yourself and report any major changes to your doctor.
For most people there will be no major problems, so relax and let your body heal.
Benefits of Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy
OPTIMAL HEALTH. Go and talk to your doctor if you are unsure of your medication levels.
Find an interactive doctor who will listen to you and treat you with the respect you deserve.
Ask questions about your condition and expect to be answered. A lot of GP’s do not
understand the full story of thyroid disease and the correct treatments so never feel that you
should just take what is said as the total answer.
Disclaimer The contents must not be relied upon in place of advice and treatment from a qualified medical
practitioner. This information is only intended to be a helpful reference guide and is not intended to be medical
advice.
Thyroid QLDSupport Group and the author disclaim any liability whatsoever.