Pharmacies Spread Misinformation About Armour -- A Reader Letter

I've had many reports from readers who complain about pharmacies and doctors who pronounce that Armour Thyroid is off the market (it's not), or unavailable, etc. For more information, read my article. In the meantime, here's a letter from a reader...

Hi Mary,

I just read your information on Armour Thyroid and had to chuckle. Two months ago my pharmacy substituted Westhroid for Armour without telling me. And I was so accustomed to getting it filled at the same pharmacy for the past five years that I never look at the bottle. Imagine my surprise when a week later I just didn't feel "right." I looked closer at the bottle and the pills (I had noticed that they didn't smell as strong and (I think were a different color)... I just was NOT paying attention! I looked at the bottle and found the "error" and contacted the pharmacy who told me that they substituted Westhroid because they didn't have Armour at the time and it wasn't a big deal because they're the same drug, same dose. Not quite and my body could tell the difference.

Last month I went to pick up my Armour (again at the same pharmacy) and it wasn't ready (I had called it in 5 days earlier) and they never bothered to call me to tell me they were out.

The pharmacist kindly offered to substitute Westhroid "because it's the same drug/dose because they no longer make Armour." I told him that was a bunch of garbage. He practically laughed in my face. I said "look, I know for a fact that isn't true! "If you would like to check the story out for yourself you can go to [Mary Shomon's site]."

Again he smirked and said they didn't have it. I told him to call it in to the pharmacy up the street and I'd get it there. "Oh, And, by the way, what is the 800 number to lodge a complaint?"

I called the store the following day and in the end they were very apologetic and I got last month's Armour for free (from the same smart alec pharmacist).

Have a Great Day and Keep up the good work!

L.F.