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NP Thyroid tablets

NP Thyroid (Natural Desiccated Thyroid)

Oral tablet (15 to 120mg)Available in all 50 states

Marketing purposes only. Actual medications, if prescribed, are dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.

thyroid

NP Thyroid (Natural Desiccated Thyroid)NP Thyroid (Natural Desiccated Thyroid)

A natural preparation derived from porcine thyroid glands, supplying both T4 and T3 in a fixed ratio. Each grain (60 mg) provides 38 mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 9 mcg liothyronine (T3). Labeled as replacement or supplemental therapy in hypothyroidism of any etiology.

Supplies both T4 and T3

Porcine-derived, not synthetic

Five strengths, 15 to 120 mg

An option when T4 alone falls short

No commitment · HSA/FSA eligibleNo commitment · HSA/FSA eligible

How it works

Mechanism of action

Replaces or supplements endogenous thyroid hormone. Unlike synthetic T4 monotherapy, desiccated thyroid supplies preformed T3 alongside T4, so it does not rely entirely on peripheral 5'-deiodination (via DIO1 and DIO2) to generate active hormone. T3 has a shorter half-life than T4, so serum levels fluctuate more across the day than on levothyroxine alone. Thyroid hormone acts on nuclear receptors to regulate metabolic rate, thermogenesis and protein synthesis across nearly every tissue.

The baseline panel.

Every Marek client receives this baseline panel before a provider review. Your provider may add additional biomarkers based on your health history, symptoms, and goals, pulling from 1,000+ available markers. See more biomarkers →

Hormone Profile

12 markers

Sex hormones

  • Total TestosteroneLC/MS
  • Free TestosteroneEquilibrium Dialysis
  • Estradiol, Sensitive / UltrasensitiveLC/MS
  • Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
  • ProgesteroneLC/MSFemale panel
  • Prolactin
  • Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
  • Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
  • hCG, Total, QuantitativeFemale panel, pre-menopause

Adrenals & neurosteroids

  • Cortisol
  • DHEA-S

Growth hormone / IGF-1

  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-1)

Thyroid Status

3 markers

Thyroid hormones

  • Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
  • Free T4
  • Free T3

Heart Health

9 markers

Cardiovascular health

  • Total Cholesterol
  • HDL Cholesterol
  • LDL Cholesterol
  • LDL:HDL Ratio
  • VLDL Cholesterol
  • Triglycerides
  • Apolipoprotein-B (ApoB)
  • C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity (hsCRP)
  • Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a))

Metabolism

3 markers

Insulin sensitivity

  • Blood Glucose
  • Fasting Insulin
  • HbA1c

Organ Function

26 markers

Liver & pancreas

  • AST
  • ALT
  • Bilirubin, Total
  • γ-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)

Kidney function

  • BUN
  • Creatinine w/ eGFR

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

  • Glucose
  • Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
  • Creatinine
  • eGFR
  • BUN/Creatinine Ratio
  • Sodium
  • Potassium
  • Chloride
  • Carbon Dioxide, Total
  • Calcium
  • Protein, Total
  • Albumin
  • Globulin, Total
  • Albumin/Globulin (A/G) Ratio
  • Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
  • AST
  • ALT

Prostate health

  • Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)Male panel
  • Free PSAMale panel
  • % Free PSAMale panel

Nutrient Status

31 markers

Vitamins & minerals

  • Vitamin D, 25-OHD (25-Hydroxy)
  • Magnesium, RBC

Iron status

  • Iron
  • Iron Saturation
  • TIBC
  • UIBC
  • Ferritin

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

  • White Blood Count (WBC)
  • Red Blood Count (RBC)
  • Hemoglobin (Hgb)
  • Hematocrit (HCT)
  • MCV
  • MCH
  • MCHC
  • Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
  • Platelets
  • Neutrophils
  • Neutrophils (Absolute)
  • Lymphocytes
  • Lymphocytes (Absolute)
  • Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio
  • Monocytes
  • Monocytes (Absolute)
  • Eosinophils
  • Eosinophils (Absolute)
  • Basophils
  • Basophils (Absolute)
  • Immature Cells
  • Immature Granulocytes
  • Immature Granulocytes (Absolute)
  • NRBC, w/ Reflex for Immature Cells

Clinical evidence

The research behind NP Thyroid (Natural Desiccated Thyroid).

Desiccated thyroid extract compared with levothyroxine

Hoang et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab (2013)

Randomized, double-blind, crossover trial in 70 patients with primary hypothyroidism. 48.6% preferred desiccated thyroid extract, 18.6% preferred levothyroxine and 32.9% had no preference. Symptom and neurocognitive measures did not differ between the two.

Read study →

ATA Guidelines for Hypothyroidism

Thyroid (2014)

The American Thyroid Association recommends levothyroxine as the preparation of choice for routine care in primary hypothyroidism, in preference to thyroid extracts. The task force found no consistently strong evidence that alternative preparations improve health outcomes over levothyroxine monotherapy.

Read study →

FDA prescribing information

Acella Pharmaceuticals, NP Thyroid label

Labeled as replacement or supplemental therapy in hypothyroidism of any etiology, and as a pituitary TSH suppressant in euthyroid goiters. Carries a boxed warning that thyroid hormone must not be used for the treatment of obesity or weight loss.

Read study →

Safety profile

Monitoring & safety information.

Commonly reported side effects

  • Chest pain
  • Increased heart rate and palpitations
  • Excessive sweating and heat intolerance
  • Nervousness

Less common but serious risks

  • Boxed warning: thyroid hormone must not be used for the treatment of obesity or weight loss
  • Adverse reactions are generally those of excessive dosing and resemble hyperthyroidism

Generally not appropriate for

  • Untreated thyrotoxicosis
  • Uncorrected adrenal cortical insufficiency
  • Hypersensitivity to any ingredient

Typical monitoring

  • TSH every 6 to 8 weeks during titration, then every 6 to 12 months
  • Free T4 and Free T3
  • Heart rate and symptoms of over-replacement

FAQ

Quick answers.

NP Thyroid is a natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) preparation made from porcine thyroid glands. Unlike synthetic levothyroxine, which supplies T4 only, each grain (60 mg) provides both 38 mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 9 mcg liothyronine (T3). It is labeled as replacement or supplemental therapy in hypothyroidism of any etiology, and as a pituitary TSH suppressant in euthyroid goiters.
It supplies preformed T3 as well as T4, so it does not depend entirely on the body converting T4 into active hormone. It comes in five strengths from 15 mg to 120 mg, which allows fine titration. In a randomized crossover trial, 48.6% of patients preferred desiccated thyroid extract over levothyroxine. Note that the American Thyroid Association still recommends levothyroxine as first-line routine care, and there is no consistently strong evidence that NDT improves health outcomes over levothyroxine alone.
Adverse reactions are generally those of excessive dosing and resemble hyperthyroidism: chest pain, increased heart rate, palpitations, excessive sweating, heat intolerance and nervousness. It is contraindicated in untreated thyrotoxicosis, uncorrected adrenal cortical insufficiency, and hypersensitivity to any ingredient. NP Thyroid carries a boxed warning that thyroid hormone must not be used to treat obesity or for weight loss. A partnered licensed provider reviews your full history and bloodwork before prescribing, and monitors you on an ongoing basis.
View all FAQs
See all FAQs

NP Thyroid is a natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) preparation made from porcine thyroid glands. Unlike synthetic levothyroxine, which supplies T4 only, each grain (60 mg) provides both 38 mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 9 mcg liothyronine (T3). It is labeled as replacement or supplemental therapy in hypothyroidism of any etiology, and as a pituitary TSH suppressant in euthyroid goiters.

Treatments are dependent on licensed clinical prescription. Client costs vary based on individual labs and panel in treatments and services.