Synthroid Uses for Other Thyroid Problems
The amount of thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland is controlled by another hormone, called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH is produced in the pituitary gland. If your thyroid hormones are low, TSH increases in order to stimulate your thyroid to make more hormones. If your thyroid hormones are high, TSH is low, signaling the thyroid to make less hormones. An easy way to remember this is to note that TSH and thyroid hormone levels are usually opposite; if TSH is high, then thyroid hormones are usually low (and vice versa).
High TSH can stimulate the growth of goiters and some
thyroid cancers. Therefore, giving extra thyroid hormone (in the form of
Synthroid) will decrease TSH, which can help to shrink goiters and some thyroid cancers.
The thyroid gland makes two different thyroid hormones:
levothyroxine (T
4) and triiodothyronine (T
3). Typically, the thyroid produces much more T
4 than T
3 (however, T
3 is much more active than T
4). The body can convert the T
4 hormone into T
3 as necessary. If your thyroid does not make enough thyroid hormones, there are a few different ways to increase your levels.
Some forms of thyroid replacement combine T
4 and T
3 (such as natural thyroid replacement made from pig thyroids). However, because the body converts T
4 into T
3 as needed, most people can successfully take just T
4 (such as with Synthroid). Alternatively, just T
3 can be taken (as products such as
Cytomel®).
Currently, most people take just T
4 (such as Synthroid). Contrary to what you might find stated on the Internet, Synthroid was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002, while natural thyroid products (such as Armour
® Thyroid or
Nature-Throid™) are not FDA-approved. Natural thyroid products were on the market long before the FDA existed, and the makers of these products have not chosen to seek FDA approval for their products.
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