From Dr. Douglass
The drug is levothyroxine, aka Synthroid, a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism. It’s just about the least effective means of battling an underactive thyroid gland — and now, researchers say in some seniors it may more than triple the odds of a bone break.
Researchers examined data on more than 200,000 elderly seniors — mostly women — who were given levothyroxine between April 2002 and March 2007, and found that those who were taking the drug or had recently taken it were up to 3.5 times more likely to suffer a hip fracture than those who had taken it long ago.
The researchers point out that seniors on medium and high doses are at the highest risks — so maybe Seniors should check with their doc to get their on lower doses when they can.
My wife and I have done our own research since she is hypothyroid and found that synthetic thyroid contains only one form of the thyroid hormone, called T4. When you take it, your body has to convert it to the active form, T3.
But here’s the catch: Most thyroid patients CAN’T convert T4 into T3.
Natural thyroid derived from pigs, on the other hand, contains both T3 and T4. My wife and sister (both still young) noticed a big difference when making the switch.
I hope Seniors don’t put their bones on the line for a drug that doesn’t work. I recommend they find a doc or educate their current healthcare practitioner who can help them make the switch to natural thyroid med.
Home care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your in-home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home Care in Naperville.
