I just had the chance to speak at length with Dai Jinn, Chief Pharmacist and Chief Science Officer at RLC Laboratories, the manufacturer of the natural desiccated thyroid drugs Nature-Throid and Westhroid.

I'd had a conversation with Dai back on November 23, and at that point, Dai had said that RLC would begin shipping 1 grain Nature-Throid that week. That didn't happen, and on December 2, I checked back in with Dai to get an update. At that time, Dai said that erratic quality and availability of raw materials were making it difficult to meet their manufacturing goals, but that they expected to begin shipping 1 grain (65 mg) Nature-Throid later that week -- but more likely the following week (which would have been last week). Unfortunately, as of today, RLC is still not shipping product, as they'd hoped.

Patients and some practitioners have become increasingly concerned, to the extent that some have suggested that perhaps RLC is under some sort of gag order from the FDA, or that RLC has been forced to shut down production by the FDA, or some other action has taken place that has prevented RLC from moving forward.

I wanted to reassure thyroid patients that, according to Dai, Read more...

Some people always read "Twas The Night Before Christmas" every holiday season. Others watch "It's a Wonderful Life." But for regulars here at the Thyroid site, it isn't Christmas unless we feature a beloved piece from America's funniest thyroid patient, Jody LaFerriere. Jody got to wondering...why does Santa only go out once a year? Could he be depressed? And then there's Santa's weight problem....what is THAT all about? Is Santa all about ho ho ho or just ho ho hypo? Could it be that Santa is actually hiding a goiter under that beard? Read Jody LaFerriere's hilarious thyroid patient letter to Santa!

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Someone posted on my Facebook wall to ask an important question that in all my years of thyroid patient advocacy, I've never really tackled. The question is: "How do you explain to your family what you are going through?"

It's difficult to fully explain what's going on with a chronic disease that is, in many ways, "invisible" to everyone but the sufferer. But perhaps this "Open Letter to Family and Friends of Thyroid Patients" can be a conversation-starter, or help in some way to help those who love us understand just a little bit better what it is like to have thyroid disease. Read the letter now.

Share YOUR Story: Supporting Thyroid Patients--Good Ideas and Horror Stories

We all know doctors and the public are cavalier, and sometimes cruel, about thyroid disease and thyroid patients. But how do friends and family react when someone they care about has a thyroid condition? Are they supportive, or do they add to the problem? If you're a thyroid patient, share your good ideas, personal experiences, and horror stories about how family and friends have reacted to you, supported you, or been less than a help. And if you're a family member or friend of someone with thyroid disease, what have you been through? Do you have ideas on how to best be supportive? Share your thoughts now!

About Mary Shomon | Thyroid Forum | Twitter | Facebook

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Here are some great holiday gift ideas for that special thyroid patient in your life!! These are gifts that will keep that special someone warm, cozy, healthy and happy all year long! And, if you're a thyroid patient, check out these ideas, and maybe you'll want to print off a copy for Santa -- or your favorite gift giver! (Or, maybe you'd even like to treat yourself this holiday season!) So...let's go shopping!

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