Evidence supporting the use of: Porcine (unspecified)
For the body system: Thyroid Gland

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Porcine thyroid extract, derived from the thyroid glands of pigs, has been used for over a century in the management of hypothyroidism. The use of desiccated thyroid extract originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, before synthetic thyroid hormones were available. This extract contains both thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), the primary hormones produced by the human thyroid gland. Its efficacy is supported by scientific evidence, particularly in cases where patients do not respond optimally to synthetic levothyroxine (T4) alone. Several clinical studies and case reports suggest that some hypothyroid patients experience symptom improvement and increased satisfaction with porcine thyroid extract compared to synthetic T4 monotherapy, possibly due to the inclusion of T3. However, the use of porcine thyroid is not without controversy; concerns exist regarding batch-to-batch inconsistency, potential for overdose, and supraphysiological T3 levels. Major endocrinology societies generally recommend synthetic T4 as first-line therapy due to its predictable pharmacokinetics, but acknowledge that desiccated thyroid extract is a viable alternative for select patients. Thus, there is both historical precedent and moderate scientific evidence supporting the use of porcine thyroid to support thyroid function, especially in hypothyroid individuals who do not achieve symptom relief with standard therapy.

More about Porcine (unspecified)
More about Thyroid Gland

Products containing Porcine (unspecified)

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.