Hormones can be compared to a silent narrator in our lives, dictating how we feel without us even realizing it. They are responsible for our ups and downs, our worries, and our overall sense of wellbeing. When our bodies tell us that something is wrong, it could be due to stress, poor diet, or a lack of sleep. However, in some cases, we might have a hormonal imbalance.
The two types of hormone therapy that we are going to discuss today are desiccated thyroid and Estrogen Replacement Therapy. Both of these therapies deal with separate hormone-related problems and have to be taken under a doctor’s supervision.
In this article, we will be discussing the differences between the said hormones, how they function in our bodies, and under which circumstances we may need them.
1. What Is Desiccated Thyroid?
Desiccated thyroid is a prescription drug that contains hormones normally produced by the Thyroid gland. It is taken as an alternative for people with hypothyroidism – a condition that happens when your thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones on its own. Desiccated thyroid usually contains two thyroid hormones – T3 and T4.
Those hormones are essential for our bodies to function correctly. They control our metabolism, body heat, and how our cells use the energy that we eat in the food we consume. The symptoms of an underactive thyroid can be diverse and may include feeling tired, cold, and constipated. Additionally, people with low thyroid function may experience weight gain or dry skin and hair.
Desiccated thyroid is not a supplement that you take to boost your body and mind. If you suspect that you have an underactive thyroid, consult your healthcare provider to see if desiccated thyroid is right for you.
2. How Does Desiccated Thyroid Help?
If you have an underactive thyroid, it regulates your body’s everyday functions by controlling your metabolism. Low thyroid function leads to a drop in your metabolism, which in turn makes you feel tired, sluggish, and overall unhealthy. People usually don’t realize it, but those sensations are the primary symptoms of an underperforming thyroid.
Desiccated thyroid helps by providing your body with the thyroid hormones it lacks. We’ve seen that there are two types of hormones present in desiccated thyroid – T3 and T4. The T4 hormones are inactive and get converted into the T3 ones in our bodies. T3 then begin to affect the cells and speed up one’s metabolism.
Some people think that since desiccated thyroid contains two types of hormones, it is a superior supplement. However, that is not entirely correct – Levothyroxine is a more effective medication for an underactive thyroid because it contains only T4 hormones. Doctors prescribe it more often than desiccated thyroid because there is a lot of evidence pointing to its effectiveness and safety. Desiccated thyroid, on the other hand, has a different ratio of T3 and T4, which may be harmful in some cases.
3. What Is Estrogen Replacement Therapy?
Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) is a type of hormone therapy that helps women deal with menopause symptoms. As we get older, our bodies stop producing certain hormones – particularly estrogen, which plays a vital role in female health. ERT aims to supplement the deficient hormones and reduce menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.
As estrogen levels deplete, women can experience a variety of symptoms. Most commonly, menopause can cause sleep disturbances, hot flashes, and night sweats. Moreover, it can lead to vaginal dryness that makes sexual activity uncomfortable. The decline in estrogen levels can also bring on mood swings and feelings of depression, as well as a decreased sex drive.
ERT can be taken orally or as a patch, gel, or spray behind your ear. If you find that your hot flashes and night sweats are interfering with your life, talk to your doctor about ERT. There are also other treatments for menopause symptoms like vaginal estrogen for vaginal discomfort and dryness.
4. How Do the Two Treatments Differ?
Both treatments are used for completely different reasons. The two medications treat different illnesses and, therefore, are prescribed under two completely different sets of symptoms.
ERT is often prescribed during perimenopause and menopause because of the low levels of estrogen. It helps with mood swings, sleep disturbances, hot flashes, and other uncomfortable sensations that appear when estrogen levels start dropping.
On the other hand, desiccated thyroid is given when the patient has low levels of thyroid hormones, usually T3 and T4. This leads to a range of symptoms, including feeling tired, sluggish, and cold most of the time. It also leads to increased constipation and weight gain, as well as other uncomfortable sensations.
It may be hard to differentiate between the two sets of symptoms, so it’s important to talk to your doctor to rule out any other potential illnesses.
5. Can Women Take Both Medications?
Sometimes women can have both low estrogen and an underactive thyroid. Your doctor will determine which course of treatment you must undergo based on your symptoms and hormone levels.
Most commonly, women take desiccated thyroid because they were told they had an underperforming thyroid. This, in turn, can cause menopause symptoms to appear because of increased estrogen levels. However, treating those symptoms won’t help you if your thyroid is underactive.
ERT, conversely, can help you deal with your symptoms arising from menopause. However, it won’t fix your low thyroid hormone levels. Estrogen can increase the amount of thyroxine binding globulin in the blood, thus increasing the amount of thyroid hormones needed for one’s body to function properly. People who take estrogen orally may need more thyroid hormones because of this.
Women who take estrogen via skin patches typically don’t need additional thyroid hormones. However, everyone’s bodies react differently, so it’s best to consult with your doctor about your specific case.
If you are taking desiccated thyroid and are thinking about taking ERT, inform your doctor about that so they can keep an eye on your condition.
6. What Are the Benefits and Risks of Taking Desiccated Thyroid?
As mentioned above, desiccated thyroid is often used to treat patients with an underperforming thyroid. The medication helps to restore normal hormone levels and reduce the symptoms of an underperforming thyroid. For most patients, the medication works well and rarely causes any adverse effects in the short term. Thyroid treatment usually has to be long-term, sometimes for the entirety of one’s life.
Once the medication begins to work, most symptoms of an underperforming thyroid start to disappear. Patients report feeling less tired, sluggish, and cold than they used to. Moreover, they usually report that their bowels are working correctly, and their constipation is resolved. Other symptoms such as weight gain and high cholesterol levels usually remain after the medication begins to work, so it may take a while for them to disappear.
Desiccated thyroid is not recommended for patients who don’t need it. Taking any thyroid medication when you don’t need it can be harmful to your health in the long run. Additionally, the medication can do more harm than good in some cases. Since desiccated thyroid has two types of hormones in it, those people may experience side effects such as a fast or pounding heartbeat, shakiness, or anxiety. They may also suffer from excessive sweating, insomnia, and weight loss in the short term.
If you are treating hypothyroidism and the medication hasn’t started working, increasing the dose won’t necessarily fix the problem. There might be another underlying illness that needs to be treated.
7. What Are the Benefits and Risks of Taking Estrogen Replacement Therapy?
ERT may benefit patients with low estrogen levels who are suffering from menopause symptoms. Since it’s usually used to treat menopause, it is the most beneficial in cases of hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances. The medication helps to alleviate those symptoms and reduce the discomfort that they cause. For many patients, it is the most effective medication for menopause.
ERT also rarely has any adverse effects on the body, although there may be some for people with specific conditions. Since the medication is prescribed for longer periods of time (usually for the duration of menopause), those who take it should remain wary of the effects that it has on their bodies. In addition to reducing menopause symptoms, the medication can reduce the chances of osteoporosis in patients who take it for an extended period of time.
However, that isn’t the only risk that comes with taking ERT. Depending on how estrogen is administered, it might increase the risk of having a stroke or thrombosis – a potentially deadly condition that affects the circulatory system.
ERT has other risks and side effects depending on the patient’s health conditions and the medications that they are taking. Women who take estrogen usually need to take a progestogen medication to reduce the risk of uterine cancer.
If you think that you’re suffering from menopause symptoms, talk to your doctor. They will be able to help you decide what course of treatment you prefer and what risks it may carry.
8. What Should I Do in Addition To Therapy?
While medication can be incredibly helpful in alleviating many of the uncomfortable symptoms that arise when your hormones are out of balance, there are other things that you can do to improve your well-being. Those include exercising regularly and eating a well-balanced diet. As previously mentioned, exercise is good for your body regardless of your health conditions.
However, it is especially good for patients with either low thyroid function or menopause symptoms. It helps with strengthening your bones and muscles and is overall good for your body. You should try to do it often but in a measured way. As for exercising, it is essential that you eat well in order to give your body the energy and the nutrients that it needs.
When it comes to thyroid medications, many patients ask about iodine intake and whether or not iodine supplements help with hypothyroidism. Usually, they don’t. Taking large amounts of iodine can potentially harm patients with an underperforming thyroid.
Another activity that is essential to all people is sleep. If you have menopause symptoms that prevent you from sleeping well, you may want to invest in a good sleeping environment and a consistent sleep schedule. For many people, those are the most effective ways of dealing with sleep deprivation.
Last but not least, stress management is important for everybody. It may not help with thyroid issues, but it will definitely improve your overall wellbeing.
9. What Should I Discuss With My Healthcare Provider?
Before you start either of the medications, it is advised to discuss your condition and your personal preferences with your healthcare provider.
If you plan on taking desiccated thyroid, you may want to talk to your doctor about the results of your thyroid test. Make sure that you have mentioned your current symptoms and the medications that you may be taking. If you are currently taking desiccated thyroid and have noticed that your symptoms haven’t changed after adjusting the dose, let your doctor know.
If you want to discuss the possibility of ERT, you may want to let your healthcare provider know if you are experiencing menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, or vaginal discomfort. They will be able to help you pick the best type of ERT depending on your symptoms and general wellbeing. Make sure that you discuss the risks and benefits of ERT during your appointment.
Before you leave, ask any questions that you may have about the medications. Make sure that you know how your treatment plan will affect your body and how long it will take before you begin to feel any better. Ask your doctor about any side effects that the medication may have and what you must do if you experience them.
10. Learn More About Hormone Replacement Therapy here
Hormones can be a stressful part of our lives when there are too many or too few of them. Hypothyroidism and menopause are two common examples of hormonal imbalances that both have many symptoms. As stated above, the symptoms of these diseases often overlap which makes them difficult to differentiate. It’s very important to determine the cause of those symptoms and decide which treatment is more beneficial for you.
At AB Hormone Therapy, we offer a wide variety of medical services for people with hormonal imbalances. If you want to learn more about us or want to review the options that you have, visit our website at https://abhormonetherapy.com/. Find out more about Estrogen Replacement Therapy or thyroid-related problems and the treatments that we offer.
Since both of the treatments above are very different, you might need to determine what hormonal changes are occurring in your body. Your healthcare provider will review your personal and family history and check your symptoms to see which treatment will be more beneficial to you.
AB Hormone Therapy offers treatment plans that are designed specifically for you and your needs. Consult with us to learn more about your treatment options and what they can do for you.
FAQs
1. What is desiccated thyroid used for?
Desiccated thyroid is used for hypothyroidism – a condition in which your thyroid is underperforming and doesn’t produce enough hormones on its own. This medication is usually prescribed when the patient has low levels of Thyroxin. It is important to consult your healthcare provider to see if you are eligible for this treatment.
2. Is desiccated thyroid better than levothyroxine?
Desiccated thyroid is mostly similar to levothyroxine. However, levothyroxine has more evidence pointing to its safety and effectiveness. Usually, it is prescribed more often than desiccated thyroid because it has been known to have more positive effects on the body without the side effects. Levothyroxine doesn’t contain any T3 hormones – only T4.
3. Can Estrogen Replacement Therapy affect thyroid medication?
Oral estrogen can increase the amount of thyroid binding proteins in the blood. This, in turn, raises the amount of thyroid medication that one requires – which is why it is important to consult with your healthcare provider in such cases.
4. Can menopause symptoms be confused with thyroid problems?
Yes, they can. That is why it is important to talk to your healthcare provider to see if you need any treatment.
