Although a few bottles can still be found here and there, Thyrotril appears to be discontinued.
According to Sterling Grant, makers of Thyrotril…
“Thyrotril” is a potent thyroid booster that helps optimize your metabolic rate to eliminate excess body fat!”
Of course, the claims don’t end there. Apparently the ingredients in Thyrotril are also effective in suppressing appetite, reducing hunger pangs, and positively effecting blood lipid levels.
If you’re familiar with Sterling Grant’s popular fat burner Lipovarin (reviewed here) you’re probably aware that this company does not have a problem with making outrageous product claims with little evidence to back them up. Certainly reading Thyrotril’s promotional material will give you the impression that this product will have your thyroid levels cranked, and your metabolizing racing along like an F1 race car.
While there are certainly some useful ingredients in this product, in most cases their effect on thyroid metabolism is largely unproved. Let’s take a closer look at the compilation, and reveal the real scoop on Thyrotril. What’s in it?…
i. Selenium (as Selenomethionine — an organic, and better-absorbed form of selenium): A trace mineral, selenium is a powerful antioxidant, an immune-system booster, and a cancer-fighter. And yes, it does play a role in thyroid function. According to Dr. Atkins’ Vita-Nutrient Solution…
“Selenium is important for thyroid function because the enzyme that activates the main thyroid hormone (T4) depends on it.”
Selenium may be especially helpful boosting thyroid function for those suffering iodine deficiency.
ii. L-Tyrosine: an amino acid, and the precursor to several important neurotransmitters, a full review of L-Tyrosine can be found here.
L-Tyrosine is also a thyroid-hormone precursor, and retailers have long surmised that supplementation may increase thyroid hormone levels and boost your metabolism.
Unfortunately, there’s no definitive evidence that this is so.
iii. Olive Leaf Extract: its most active ingredient is known as calcium enolate, which works as a super-effective killer of viruses and bacteria. Thyrotril only contains 100 mg per serving, which is a little on the low side. 500 mg would be a much more effective dosage for this supplement.
Great supplement, but not sure why its in this formulation… it has no effect on thyroid levels or metabolism.
iv. Guggulsterones: the standardized extract of a resin of a tree native to India. This resin has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. A study published in The Journal of Associations of Physicians in India in 1989 showed this substance to have a powerful effect in decreasing blood fats (called triglycerides) AND LDL cholesterol (that’s the “bad” cholesterol), while elevating levels levels of the good cholesterol “HDL.”
Interestingly though, a recent study published in the Journal of American Medical Association showed the opposite results. For North Americans at least, guggelsterones do not raise levels of good cholesterol. In fact, they increase the levels of LDL (the bad stuff) by 9-10%. Several studies verify guggulsterones’ ability to raise thyroid hormone levels.
Thyrotril contains 40 mg of active ingredient (e+z gugglesterones) per serving. That’s well over twice the amount that’s present in competitive products like Metabolic Thyrolean. It’s a potent dose, to be sure.
vi. Atlantic Kelp: a rich source of iodine. Iodine is used by the thyroid gland to make the various thyroid hormones necessary for optimal performance. Low or sluggish thyroid performance can lead to low energy levels or overweight.
Of course, iodine supplementation is only helpful if you actually have low levels of thyroid hormone. If you are not iodine deficient, kelp may possibly induce hyperthyroidism. According to the Natural Database, “prolonged, high intake of dietary iodine is associated with goiter and increased risk of thyroid cancer.”
Rob Dente of Sterling Grant labs contacted me to let me know that Thyrotril contains a mere 18 mcgs of iodine per serving. That’s well below the US RDA (recommended daily allowance) of 150 mcg. He was quick to point out that no one will experience any difficulties with such a tiny amount of naturally occurring iodine added to his or her diet.
vii. Bioperine (reviewed here): The patented extract of the black pepper and long pepper berries harvested in India. Bioperine’s value is that it has been established to enhance the bioavailibility of certain supplements through increased absorption.
In other words, when combined with Bioperine, numerous vitamins, minerals, amino acids and anti oxidants are more efficiently absorbed and utilized in the body.
Bottom line on Thyrotril?
It’s pretty decent formula. I like the fact that it has a significant dose of the core ingredient guggulsterones, a supplement that does have some documented evidence of effectiveness.
That said, experimenting with a thyroid formula is not a particularly good idea until you have seen your doctor, and have had your thyroid levels checked with blood work. If you have normal levels of thyroid hormones, you don’t need this supplement. And if you don’t – well, an over-the-counter thyroid booster is NOT equivalent to genuine thyroid hormone replacement.
