A representative
from Pfizer has said that the source of the starch in the drug
cannot be verified and could come from corn, potato, or wheat.
Cytomel
contains the T3 thyroid hormone, one of five hormones produced by the thyroid
(the others are T1, T2, T4, and calcitonin). Most thyroid medications for
hypothyroid patients (those who cannot produce enough thyroid hormone) contain
the T4 hormone, which the body is supposed to convert into another hormone. But
not everyone can convert T4 and must take the T3 hormone instead. Since Cytomel
is the only mass-marketed T3 medication, if it is tainted with gluten many patients
will have nowhere to turn—especially if compounded T3 is eliminated (more on
this below).
Why is
gluten a problem, particularly for hypothyroid patients? The cause of
hypothyroidism for 90% of people is Hashimoto’s disease, where the body’s own
immune system attacks the thyroid. Many patients are unaware that they have
Hashimoto’s, however, because conventional doctors don’t test for it. Why?
Because there is no drug to treat it, thus they don’t think it can be
treated. They too don’t “get it.” With
proper nutrition and a strict gluten-free diet, as well as addressing
underlying causes such as toxic exposures, it can be completely reversed. We
know this because an ANH staffer had Hashimoto’s disease and was able to cure
it with this approach.