Evidence supporting the use of: Glandular Tissues
For the body system: Thyroid Gland
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Glandular tissues, such as desiccated thyroid or raw thyroid extracts, have a long history of traditional use to support thyroid function, particularly before the development of synthetic thyroid hormone therapies. The rationale was based on the principle of "like supports like," where consuming animal thyroid tissue was believed to help restore or balance human thyroid function. While this approach was common in the early 20th century, especially in the treatment of hypothyroidism, its use has largely been supplanted by synthetic levothyroxine, which offers standardized dosing and safety. Modern scientific evidence for the use of non-hormonal glandular extracts (i.e., those not containing measurable thyroid hormone) to support the thyroid gland is minimal to nonexistent. There is a lack of robust clinical trials demonstrating that glandular tissues, aside from providing exogenous thyroid hormone, offer benefit in supporting thyroid health. Regulatory agencies caution against the use of non-standardized glandular products due to variability in hormone content and potential safety risks. Thus, apart from traditional use and the historical context of animal-derived thyroid hormone administration, there is little scientific validation for the use of general glandular tissues in supporting the thyroid gland.
Other ingredients that support Thyroid Gland
amino acidsashwagandha
forskohlii root
iodine
kelp
l-tyrosine
licorice root
magnesium
omega-3 fatty acids
protein
sage
scrophularia root
selenium
shrimp
vitamin B
vitamin D
seaweed
zinc
commiphora
dulse leaf
trace minerals
algae
thyroid substance
bladderwrack
Ajuga
Ascophyllum nodosum
Brown Algae
Brazil nut
Bee products
bugleweed
Chondrus
Dulse
Egg
Shellfish
Other body systems supported by Glandular Tissues
Adrenal CortexAdrenal Glands
Glandular System
Immune System
Kidneys
Liver
Pituitary (anterior)
Thyroid Gland