ADVERTORIAL Common choices for treating hypothyroidism


The most common treatments for hypothyroidism include T4 monotherapy with levothyroxine, natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) aka “glandular thyroid,” and a regimen of T4 and T3 medications taken together. Figuring out the best option for you may take some time. See the accompanying chart for pros/cons of commonly used hypothyroidism therapies.


T4 monotherapy Pros:


• Current standard of care for hypothyroidism • Proven safe and effective • Available at all pharmacies • Usually low cost


Cons:


• GI conditions, medications, sensitivities to excipients/ inactive ingredients in tablet formulations can interfere with absorption and tolerability


Natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) Pros:


• Contains both key thyroid hormones: T4 and T3 • An option for people who need supplemental T3


Cons:


• Derived from thyroid glands of pigs – an issue for vegans • NDT therapies are tablets that contain excipients or “fillers” • The T4:T3 ratio contained in NDT tablets is 5:1 – different than the normal human ratio of these hormones


• Can lead to cardiac problems like rapid heartbeat, insomnia, and feelings of anxiety


• It comes from pigs and may contain porcine antigens, which may be problematic for some people


• Not all pharmacies carry NDT products. Not all insurance carriers pay for them


Combined T4 and T3 medication therapy Pros:


• Consistent potency • Can be an option for those in need of supplemental T3 • Available at most pharmacies


Cons:


• Two separate medicines that need to be taken daily. T4 is taken once a day; T3 may be recommended in multiple daily doses


• Some insurance plans may require two medication copays • T3 can be risky for some patients with cardiovascular conditions. Some patients can experience heart palpitations and other side effects


References: 1. American Thyroid Association Website. https://www.thyroid.org/media- main/press-room/. Accessed December 8, 2022. 2. McMillan M, et al. Results of the CONTROL Surveillance Project. Drugs in R&D. 2015;16(1):53-68.


PM-01-22-0089 Malabsorption and drug underperformance


Most thyroid hormone therapies come in tablet form. These contain inactive ingredients such as wheat starch (gluten), talc, lactose, sugars, and dyes that help hold the tablet together, but also can impede the absorption of their active ingredient, which results in suboptimal or inconsistent levels of thyroid hormones. When this happens, many patients often believe they need to change medication rather than address the factors that contribute to their therapy’s poor performance. They turn to their physician for new therapies in the hope that these can provide long hoped- for relief from their symptoms.2


Nutritional support


Nutrition can play a role in managing hypothyroidism. However, few patients can treat hypothyroidism with nutritional supplements alone. Some examples of helpful nutritional supplements include inositol, nigella, B vitamins, and selenium. However, excess amounts of certain nutritional supplements can also lead to hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Always tell your physician about all drugs and supplements that you are currently taking as well as your soy, fiber, and non-animal product intake.


Thyroid treatment: sometimes less is more -SOL (levothyroxine sodium) oral solution is a unique


Less is often more when it comes to hypothyroid treatment. Tirosint®


liquid hypothyroid medication made with only three ingredients. It contains no fillers or other ingredients that can irritate your stomach or lead to poor drug absorption. Because it’s a liquid, it doesn’t need to dissolve in your stomach like a tablet or capsule before your body starts to absorb it. It’s not made with any ingredients sourced from animals, and it’s easy to swallow and comes in precise monodose ampules that can be conveniently stored for travel. You can pour it into a glass of water and drink it, or you can squeeze the contents of the ampule directly into your mouth.


Since Tirosint-SOL consists of just water, glycerol, and levothyroxine, it’s a very simple yet effective solution for treating hypothyroidism. This is important to me. Additionally, I want to ensure my patients have consistent access to the thyroid medication that works best for them. That being said, Tirosint-SOL has a generous coupon program and low-cost mail-order option to help patients without insurance or with high insurance copays/ deductibles. These can be found on the product’s website.


So, which treatment is right for you?


Share your answers to the following with your physicians so they can work with you to pick the right option for you:


• Have you been treated for hypothyroidism and are dissatisfied with the results?


• Do you want a simpler approach? • Do you need a drug that is free of excipients like gluten, dyes, lactose, and preservatives?


• Do you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or another GI condition? • Problems swallowing?


Please see Important Safety Information on the following page or toward the back of this issue, and Full Prescribing Information at TirosintSOL.com.


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