Pig Thyroid
Pig Thyroid Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.
Thyroid extract is dried and powdered thyroid glands from pigs containing tiiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) used to supplement low or absent thyroid activity. Thyroid extract has been described in literature to treat hypothyroidism since 1891 but its use dates back as far as the 6th century. Thyroid extract is no longer considered a first line therapy as it delivers a dose that is inconsistent with the stated strength of the tablet. Currently, patients are more likely to be treated with levothyroxine.
Thyroid extracts were never FDA approved as their use in the United States predates the FDA.
Thyroid extract increases the metabolic rate of patients with hypothyroidism. The therapeutic index of thyroid extract is wide, as patients can be given varying doses. The duration of action is long as thyroid extract is generally given once daily. Patients should not use thyroid extract for weight loss.
| Trade Name | Pig Thyroid |
| Generic | Thyroid, porcine |
| Thyroid, porcine Other Names | Pig thyroid, Porcine thyroid, Sus scrofa thyroid, Thyroid (pork), Thyroid extract, porcine |
| Type | |
| Protein binding | Thyroid hormones are more than 99% protein bound, typically to albumin, transthyretin, and thyroxine-binding globulin. |
| Groups | Approved |
| Therapeutic Class | |
| Manufacturer | |
| Available Country | |
| Last Updated: | September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am |
Uses
Pig Thyroid is a naturally-occurring peptide hormone used for the replacement therapy for hypothyroidism of any etiology, treatment for euthyroid goiters, and management of thyroid cancers.
Thyroid extract is indicated for replacement therapy in decreased or absent thyroid function.
Pig Thyroid is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Hypothyroidism
How Pig Thyroid works
T3 binding to the thyroid hormone receptor (TR), changes the conformation of the TR, allowing it to bind to the retinoid X receptor (RXR) and form a coactivator complex. The coactivator complex has histone acetyltransferase activity, which activates genes. In the absence of T3, TR and RXR form a corepressor complex with histone deacetylase activity, which represses genes. The macroscopic effects of thyroid hormones is an increase in the metabolic rate. T4 has similar but weaker activity to T3.
Toxicity
Patients experiencing and overdose may present with symptoms of a hypermetabolic state. Overdose may be treated by symptomatic and supportive treatment, dose reduction or temporarily stopping the medication, induction of vomiting, administering oxygen, cardiac glycosides, as well as methods to control fever, hypoglycemia, and fluid loss.
Food Interaction
No interactions found.Volume of Distribution
Data regarding the volume of distribution of thyroid extract is not readily available as it is a mixture of many compounds. Levothyroxine, a synthetic form of T4, has a volume of distribution of 11-15L. L-triiodothyronine, a synthetic form of T3, has an apparent volume of distribution of 14.9±4.2L.
Elimination Route
T4 is 48-79% absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and T3 is 95% absorbed. L-triiodothyronine reaches a Cmax of 320±60ng/L, with a Tmax of 1.8±0.3h. Levothyroxin has a Tmax of2-3h.
Half Life
Data regarding the half life of thyroid extract is not readily available as it is a mixture of many compounds. Levothyroxine, a synthetic form of T4, has a half life of 6.2 days in euthyroid patients and 7.5 days in hypothyroid patients. T3 has a half life of 1.0 days in euthyroid patients and 1.4 days in hypothyroid patients.
Clearance
Data regarding the clearance of thyroid extract is not readily available as it is a mixture of many compounds. The clearance of levothyroxine, a synthetic form of T4, is 0.044L/h in euthyroid patients and 0.038L/h in hypothyroid patients.
Elimination Route
Data regarding the route of elimination of thyroid extract is not readily available as it is a mixture of many compounds. 20% of the body's naturally produced thyroxine is eliminated in the feces.
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