Amount of T3 and T4 in Natural Sources Raw Thyroid

27th February 2017 Paul Chris Jones

Natural Sources Raw Thyroid is a natural desiccated thyroid (NDT). It's perhaps the easiest NDT to obtain. This is shown by the fact that you can buy it on eBay without a prescription. Natural Sources Raw Thyroid is the only NDT I've ever seen on eBay.

Given how cheap and easy to obtain Natural Sources Raw Thyroid is, I really want it to work. Yet there's surprisingly little information about it. For example, no-one seems to know how much T3 and T4 is in Natural Sources Raw Thyroid, which is strange as that's important information.

So I did some math, and I believe that one capsule of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid contains 8 mcg of T3 and 32 mcg of T4. How did I figure this out? Read on to see my reasoning and calculation.

Step 1: Find the amount of thyroid tissue in Natural Sources Raw Thyroid

First, I found a few sources that say that each capsule of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid contains 50 mg of thyroid tissue.

Source of the above image: healthunlocked.com.

Source of the above image: supplementnews.org.

That's a good start, but now how do we convert this into T3 and T4?

Step 2: Examine Thyroid-S

I recently saw something interesting on the label of Thyroid-S. The label says that each capsule of Thyroid-S contains 60 mg of thyroid extract.

It's also common knowledge that each capsule of Thyroid-S contains 9 mcg of T3 and 38 mcg of T4 [Sources: 1, 2, 3].

Step 3: Calculate the amount of T3 and T4 in generic thyroid extract

Armed with the information from Step 2, we can work out the amount of T3 and T4 in thyroid extract in general:

Amount of T3 in 1 mg of thyroid extract = 9 / 60 = 0.15 mcg of T3

Amount of T4 in 1 mg of thyroid extract = 38 / 60 = 0.633 mcg of T4

Step 4: Calculate the amount of T3 and T4 in Natural Sources Raw Thyroid

And now we can finally work out how much T3 and T4 is in one capsule of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid, i.e. 50 mg of thyroid tissue:

50 mg of thyroid extract = 0.15 x 50 = 7.5 mcg of T3

50 mg of thyroid extract = 0.633 x 50 = 31.7 mcg of T4.

So in conclusion, it seems that one capsule of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid contains 8 mcg of T3 and 32 mcg of T4. My calculation is based on the assumption that thyroid tissue and thyroid extract are the same thing.

Whether my estimate is correct or not, I don't know. Hopefully, more information will come to light in the near future. Let me know in the comments below if you find out anything.

Comments

2024-07-24 R.S.Hradilek

My experience with Natural Sources "Raw Thyroid" product is that it doesn't work AT ALL. I once bought a carton of about 12 bottles, thinking this was the answer to the difficult process of obtaining NDT. I was diagnosed with severe Myxedema in 1971 and switched to NDT around 20 years ago. Sriprasit's Thyroid-S is awesome, but sourcing it is a problem every time I buy. Several of the suppliers have been honest, but unable to accept payment via credit cards or paypal. So far I haven't been scammed, except with Natural Sources. I don't think there is any T3 or T4 in it at all. I was needing over 20 hours of sleep per day, and crawling back into bed after only being up a half hour - then waking up 10 hours later. There is such a thing as Myxedema coma, and this product almost killed me. It is far worse than Synthroid.

2023-05-28 Elly

My doctor is reducing my thyroid medication because the T3s andT4s "aren't quite right". However, you showed that Raw Thyroid has 300mg of kelp. I have to take flavonoids for my tinnitus pain and the information from the company says I should not take any kelp with flavonoids. Could you suggest an alternative?

2023-05-28 Elly

My doctor is reducing my thyroid medication because the t3s andT4s """aren't quite right". The last time a doctor did that I almost died several times because my immune system dropped so low I kept getting sicker each time I caught something (at least once a month). I live very far from any emergency care now and would die before anybody arrived and got me to care plus I can't afford the bills to live, but she has some "book" she goes by. She lost my records and accepts whatever I say happened as if it were hearsay. I take Flavonoids which keeps down the pain of tinnitis. The bottle information says I should not take iodine with the flavonoids. Natural Sources information says each capsule also contains 300mg Kelp which is known for its iodine content. Could you suggest an alternative? I would appreciate it, especially, as I would still be totally lost as how to proceed had I not found and read this website which has brought me this far in my search for some help which I must have soon as I am running out of prescription medicine and good doctors who I reached out to "were not taking any new patients at this time",

2017-07-04 Elle

Hi I use to take 200 mug of Levo so how much would you recommend I take thanks

2017-09-07 Paul Jones

First we need to find out the levothyroxine equivalent of one grain of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid.

One grain of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid contains 7.5 mcg of T3 and 31.7 mcg of T4.
T3 is four times more potent than T4, so we multiply the T3 by four: 7.5 x 4 = 30.
Add the T3 and T4 together: 30 + 31.7 = 61.7.
We also need to multiply the result by 1.35 to take into account the 'extra power' of NDTs. So 61.7 x 1.35 = 83.3.

So know we know that one grain of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid thyroid extract = 83.3 mcg of levothyroxine. Finally, take your dosage of levothyroxine (200 mcg) and divide it by 83.3. So 200 / 83.3 = 2.4 capsules. So 200 mcg of levothyroxine = 2.4 capsule of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid.

2017-10-26 Luella

I take 200 levo too would that be 2.4 capsule daily

2017-10-29 Paul Jones

Yes, according to my assumptions, that would be right. Let me know how you get on, as I'd be interested to know if my assumptions are correct or not.

2017-10-12 Jackie Hiner

I am in 2 grains of armour thyroid daily.How much raw thyroid would I need to take

2017-10-12 Paul Jones

Hi Jackie, I set up a site for converting between different types of hypothyroidism medication (www.thyroidconvert.com). According to the site, 2 grains of Armour Thyroid = 2.3 capsule of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid. Here's some reasoning: one grain of Armour thyroid contains 9 mcg of T3 and 38 mcg of T4. And as I wrote in the blog post, I think one capsule of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid contains 8 mcg of T3 and 32 mcg of T4. Therefore one capsule of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid is almost the same as one grain of Armour Thyroid. They're pretty much equivalent.

2017-10-19 Lee

Are you sure thyroid tissue and thyroid extract are the same thing? Most report that the thyroid-s are MUCH stronger than the Natural Sources caps.

2017-10-20 Paul Jones

Hmm. That is a good point. According to Wikipedia, "thyroid extract refers to porcine or bovine thyroid glands, dried and powdered for therapeutic use." It seems "thyroid extract" is the term for the active ingredient in most NDTs. I assumed "thyroid tissue" was just a synonym for thyroid extract. I googled "thyroid tissue" just now and I found Nutri-meds Porcine, which contains 130 mg of Raw Porcine Thyroid Tissue. I couldn't find much else. Perhaps we should contact the maker of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid and see what they have to say.

2018-08-21 Celina

Prezado Paul, eu gostaria de saber se existe uma loja virtual onde eu possa comprar extrato de tireóide suína sem prescrição médica, pois em meu país os médicos não conhecem os extratos naturais de tireóide e só prescrevem os hormônios sintéticos. Eu tenho encontrado apenas o extrato de glândulas bovinas, inclusive já comprei o "Raw Thyroid Natural Sources", mas não fiquei bem. Agradeço muito se puder me ajudar. Muito obrigada.

2018-03-18 Debbie Claydon

After reading above message how do you take 2.4 of a capsule?? Is it a storage treatment ? Can you take 2 one day then 3 the following day. Thanks Debbie Claydon

2018-03-19 Paul Jones

Yeah, I guess the best simplest to do would be to alternate between taking 2 and 3 capsules each day. That way you'll be taking an average of 2.5 capsules per day over the long run.

2017-11-14 Tamara P Sergio

This is a bit daunting for me. I was taking 88 mcg of Synthroid and am no longer taking it. I have been taking 2 capsules of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid a day, but am still sluggish, and can tell my thyroid is not functioning optimally. But by your calculations, one capsule a day should be doing the trick. I am thinking I need to go to three but am concerned about doing so.

2018-01-02 Christian Vega

My doctors throughout 14 years have always prescribed me 137 mcg of levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. After very much research on Raw Thyroid, I would like to go natural as I am convinced my body will tolerate it better and I will finally start seeing and feeling a difference unlike levothyroxine which never helped and instead made me feel worse. How much exactly do I take of Raw Thyroid daily that is the equal to 137 mcg levothyroxine? Also, does taking prebiotics interfere with the Raw Thyroid absorption on the body? Does Raw Thyroid contain any amount of selenium as I will be starting to take 300 mg daily of selenium? Will selenium interfere with Raw Thyroid? Do Life Extension multivitamins interfere with Raw Thyroid? And last but not least, does vitamin D supplement with coconut oil interfere with Raw Thyroid? Thank you in advance and I look forward to your reply.

2018-01-07 Laura

Dear Paul! Thank You for all the great info! I am 11 weeks pregnant and my labs came back with t3= 4,2. T4= 12,9. Tsh =2,2. All seems normal, BUT TPO antibodies = 377. My doc suggests Levo thyroxine ASAP and telling scary stories of ill babies born to mothers,who didn’t take their meds :( but I don’t want to risk mine and baby’s health with synthetic stuff full of side effects. Natural sources Raw thyroid is available to me but it says on the bottle not to take while pregnant. There is not a single doctor in my backwards country that can advise me. Can I take the raw thyroid while pregnant and what dose should I start with. Please help!

2018-01-25 A Mom

Take the levothyroxine your MD is prescribing during your pregnancy! Experiment after your done nursing if it’s in your plans. I had One miscarriage when not on thyroid medication and two beautiful babies who are now in their 20s when on proper thyroid medication from my MD! Don’t play around with this during pregnancy. I can’t state the importance proper thyroid & dosage is to the developing baby. I spontaneously miscarried because they didn’t catch my thyroid was depleted. The fillers are the least of your problems!

2018-01-18 Rita

What is the equivalent dosage of Allergy Research Group Thyroid Natural Glandular capsules if I take 1 capsule of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid? The Natural Sources Raw Thyroid works very well for me but I am looking for a better, safer source. Natural Sources or Thyroid Natural Glandular or Armour?

2018-01-19 Paul Jones

Allergy Research Group's website says that 1 capsule (100 g) of Thyroid Natural Glandular contains 40 mg of cow thyroid gland. We know that 1 capsule of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid contains 50 mg of thyroid gland. Therefore:

1 capsule of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid is equivalent to 0.8 capsules of Thyroid Natural Glandular (40/50).
1 capsule of Thyroid Natural Glandular is equivalent to 1.25 capsules of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid (50/40).

I hadn't heard about Thyroid Natural Glandular up until now so I can't comment on its quality.

2018-03-18 Debbie Claydon

Hi. I currently taking levo 200mcg,my T3 is below the range but my gp isn't interested. I've bought NDT natural sources but I'm unsure what amount to take and wether to combine levo alongside the ndt or to scrap the levo (get meds off the NHS) and take solely NDT. Please could you advise to mix and match and what amount or if you recommend just taking the NDT alone. Many Thanks Debbie.

2018-04-02 Vivienne

Hi Paul Have you tried Raw Thyroid, and did it help you? What dose did you start on? Thank you

2018-04-03 Paul Jones

Do you mean Natural Sources Raw Thyroid? I tried it for a while but I wouldn't recommend it, because I'm not certain how much T3 and T4 is actually in it. Best to stick to something like Thiroyd or Thyroid-S where there's more information.

2018-05-20 Lena

Hi Paul, Thanks for some really great info here. I wondered if you could help me make my transition? I’ve finished my last dose of thyroid-s, can no longer obtain so I have obtained capsules of natural sources raw thyroid. I was taking 1.5 tabs of thyroid-s and would work this out to be equivalent to 2capsules on natural sources but would love a second opinion - if you are amenable! Thanks in advance!

2018-05-22 Paul Jones

Hi Lena, according to thyroidconvert.com (a site I set up a while ago to make conversions like this easy) 1.5 grain of Thyroid-S = 1.7 capsules of Natural Sources Raw Thyroid. Let me know how things go for you. :)

2018-05-28

Thanks Paul! And yes, I will :-)

2018-05-28 Lena

Sorry I’m showing as anonymous^ I have started on the natural sources while waiting for nature-throid to arrive. Was on Thyroid-s happily for years - can’t obtain anywhere :-/

2018-06-14 Where to buy natural desiccated thyroid in the UK – PaulJonesBlog.com

[…] Each capsule contains 50mg of raw thyroid tissue. According to my calculations, this means that each capsule contains about 7.5 mcg of T3 and 32 mcg of […]

2018-06-25 Fabienne

Hi Paul. Thank you so very much for all your valuable information. Fabienne

2018-08-15 Si Osis

Hi Paul. Thanks for the info. I wonder if Raw Thyroid takes the whole dose fasting in the morning. I take levothyroxine of 175mcg and I calculate that I should take two capsules of Raw Thyroid. But do I take both once or one in the morning and another in the afternoon?

2018-08-21 Celina

2018-08-22 Si Osis

Oi Celina. Seu português me parece da América do Sul. Acho que estamos no mesmo local. Comecei o Raw Thyreoid essa semana e vi que não teve boa experiência. Vou ficar atenta. Também não consegui a receita para hormônios naturais. Complicado.

2019-10-15 LEE

https://getrealthyroid.com/conversion-guide.html https://www.iherb.com/r/Natural-Sources-Raw-Thyroid-90-Capsules/6016

2019-08-22 Carla Mccain

Hello i am on levoteroxyne 125 .how much of raw thrroid from natural resourses can i take .and if i start taking it do i stop the levo too or take both?.

Paul Chris Jones is a writer and dad living in Girona, Spain. You can follow Paul on Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.