Thyroid substance
Synopsis of thyroid substance
Thyroid substance typically refers to desiccated (dried) and powdered thyroid gland tissue derived from animals, most commonly pigs (porcine) or cows (bovine). This glandular extract is rich in naturally occurring thyroid hormones, primarily thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are crucial for regulating metabolism, energy production, thermoregulation, and numerous cellular functions. In modern clinical settings, desiccated thyroid extract has been used as a treatment for hypothyroidism—a condition marked by insufficient thyroid hormone production.
Unlike synthetic thyroid medications (such as levothyroxine, which contains only T4), thyroid substance offers a combination of T4 and T3, as well as other cofactors and peptides present in the whole gland. Advocates of glandular therapy believe this whole-tissue preparation more closely mimics the body’s natural hormone balance. Desiccated thyroid is regulated as a prescription drug in some countries and as a dietary supplement in others, depending on how it's processed and labeled.
Nutritionally, thyroid substance has also been used in functional and alternative medicine as part of glandular therapy, a practice based on the principle of "like supports like"—that consuming an animal gland may nourish or support the corresponding gland in the human body. It may be found in adrenal-thyroid complexes or general endocrine support blends.
Historical Use in Medicine:
The use of thyroid substance in medicine dates back to the late 19th century, making it one of the earliest examples of organotherapy in Western medical history. In 1891, British physician Sir George Murray successfully treated a patient with myxedema (severe hypothyroidism) using injections of sheep thyroid extract. Shortly thereafter, oral preparations became available and quickly gained popularity, offering dramatic improvement in symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, depression, and cognitive impairment.
Even before the thyroid gland was scientifically understood, historical medical traditions sought to address its dysfunction indirectly. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), symptoms now associated with thyroid imbalance—such as goiter, lethargy, and heat or cold intolerance—were treated using warming herbs, iodine-rich seaweeds, and endocrine-supportive formulas. Similarly, seaweed and kelp (natural sources of iodine) were used in European folk medicine to treat neck swellings and general sluggishness, though the exact endocrine role of the thyroid wasn’t recognized until the modern era.
In the early 20th century, before the synthesis of individual hormones, desiccated thyroid was the primary treatment for hypothyroidism. Its use persisted for decades until synthetic alternatives became dominant in the mid-20th century. Nevertheless, thyroid substance remains in use today in both conventional and integrative medicine, particularly by practitioners who prefer a more holistic or bio-identical hormone approach.
Thyroid substance is used for these health conditions
Bipolar Mood Disorder (Scientific)
Cold Hands and Feet (Scientific)
Depression (Scientific)
Fatigue (Traditional)
Hair (loss or thinning) (Scientific)
Hashimoto's Disease (Scientific)
Hypothyroid (Scientific)
thyroid substance is used to support these body systems
Glandular System (Traditional)
Mitochondria (Scientific)
Thyroid Gland (Scientific)
