Due to problems with the FDA and other unknown reasons, there is now a shortage of the thyroid hormone, Armour Thyroid. This has caused a lot of problems, and I thought it would be a good time to discuss the issues of bio-identical and natural and organic because this is often misunderstood.
Armour Thyroid is a great choice for those individuals needing thyroid hormone replacement because it is BOTH bio-identical and natural. It contains both thyroid hormones T4 and T3. So let’s review:
- Bio-identical: this means that the hormone or molecule is the exact same as what is circulating in our bodies
- Natural: this means that there are no additives or synthetic components; it comes from the Earth
- Organic: again, like all-natural, coming from the Earth, but even better: nothing has tainted it from it’s origin from the Earth to your hands, no chemical sprays, no preservatives, nothing
Organic and All-Natural are terms generally used when referring to food items. Bio-identical and natural are terms generally used when referring to hormones or vitamins.
So back to hormones. There are plenty of bio-identical hormones that are NOT natural; this means they are the same exact molecules that we have in our bodies, but are synthetic and not from the Earth. Here are some examples:
- Armour Thyroid: Bio-identical AND natural T4 and T3
- Synthroid: Bio-identical T4, but SYNTHETIC
- Cytomel: Bio-identical T3, but SYNTHETIC
- Estradiol: Bio-identical and NATURAL Estrogen
- Conjugated Estrogen (Premarin): NOT Bio-identical and SYNTHETIC (this is essentially birth control)
- Progesterone: Bio-identical and NATURAL Progesterone
- Progestin (PremPro): NOT Bio-identical and SYNTHETIC
- Testosterone (Compounded): Bio-identical and NATURAL Testosterone
- Testim, AndroGel: Bio-identical and SYNTHETIC Testosterone
This can be confusing, for sure.
The best option is, of course, Bio-identical AND all Natural. This is the beauty of bio-identical hormone replacement–using hormones that are not only the exact molecules that are circulating in our bodies, but also that are all natural.
Right now we are in a difficult spot with the shortage of Armour Thyroid and for now I feel that it is good to use the bio-identical Synthroid and Cytomel while we wait for the Armour Thyroid to come back. Time will tell if that becomes a reality OR we might have to settle for using bio-identical, synthetic thyroid hormone replacement until another natural, bio-identical thyroid hormone becomes more available.
Did I confuse you yet?