Natural Desiccated Thyroid Drugs: A Survey of Pharmacies & Availability

I filled out the FDA drug shortage form, Told them due to the shortage that I have to go to Canada to get my Natural Thyroid..See how caring they are…

Please note, the FDA’s current importation policy is that the United
States Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) (21 U.S.C. section
331) prohibits the interstate shipment (which includes importation) of
unapproved new drugs. Thus, the importation of drugs that lack FDA
approval, whether for personal use or otherwise, violates the Act. You
should be aware that unapproved new drugs are any drugs, including
foreign-made versions of U.S. approved drugs, that have not been
manufactured in accordance with and pursuant to FDA approval.

Can’t wait for Obama Health Care…Thyroid, Breast cancer….all the same as a common cold…

We need to keep fighting, call or write you elected officials.

Just wondering Mary, or staff! Do ya’ll have a clue how Thyroid treatments will be handled in this Massive new Heath Care Reform bill that our US Congress is trying to push & shove its public into? Thanks for think’g of this

Just a comment to people like Brenda. I am a Canadian citizen married to an American but living in the U.S. You should know that the medical system in Canada is far better than this horrendous system in the U.S. Care isn’t defined by how much money you can spend to get better care. The care just is better because everyone gets the same care. Drugs are cheaper there because the government doesn’t allow pharmaceutical companies to gouge people like they do here. My medication is currently being altered but unfortunately I take Synthroid but want to take Armour Thyroid. As soon as I can get my prescription right, I’m going to try to get this medication from Canada. I know it’s safe and reliable.

I ordered NDT from Erfa and was THRILLED that it seems to be like the Old Armour Thyroid – able to take it subligually!

Yeah! And I got a one year supply from them, too. I am so happy, happy, happy. It did take abot two weeks to get it, but it is so superior to the Natur-throid and new Armour.

I cannot say enough good things about Erfa.

jacqueline,
the last thing i want is the “same” care as everyone else. We’re all different. I want medical care “individualized” to my body’s needs. There is no “one size fits all” in medical treatment. Getting the “same” care would probably mean we’ll all be prescribed T4 only meds. And I doubt we’ll be able to lawfully import natural thyroid.

The FDA has waived the restriction on Americans getting natural thyroid from other countries, as they are aware of the problem.

I ordered ERFA’s “thyroid” and it was the same mg as Armour (60 in my case) and cost $19 for 100 pills plus $10 for shipping.

I used AffordableDrugs.com in Canada, who seem to cater to American clients. Their pharmacist was very helpful and he told me exactly what your doctor has to put on the prescription faxed to them. So my doctor put Armour Thyroid but checked the “substitution allowed” box and that was all it took. Great service, fast delivery and absolutely no problems. Affordable Drugs phone number is 1-800-887-6890. You can also check them out online at affordabledrugs.com.

Marie
Derry NH

CindiS
C’mon…you’re completely missing Jacqueline’s point. The “same” care does not mean we’d all be prescribed T4 only meds. It means we’d all have the same ACCESS to health care, unlike now where you have access if you are rich or lucky enough to have an employer who provides health insurance. Anyone who’s lived in Canada or Europe understands that this system in the U.S. IS horrendous and inferior.

And as far as being able to import natural thyroid, there are plenty of us already getting it lawfully from Canada.

well why is it that the government officials are not required to share in the “same care policy” if it is so great. tread very carefully on policies that differ from the ones making the laws.

I don’t think i missed the point. Yes, I do think “same” means we’d be expected to follow the “standard of care” for thyroid treatment.
And although this isn’t the place for this discussion…remember over 60% of American’s don’t want gov’t mandated health care, there is no health care crisis, and over 80% of Americans are satified with their health care coverage. And over the years, I’ve heard far more complaints about Canandian health care than I have positive reports.
My understanding of the FDA language above is that it is currently illegal to import a drug that does not have FDA approval. Natural thyroid is an “unapproved thyroid product”.

Women’s International Pharmacy 1-800-279-5708 http://www.womensinternationalpharmacy.com It’s a compounding pharmacy, they can supply you with a list of doctors in your area. I’m using a natural thyroid compound for the first time, I’m 77, and notice a difference with my energy level. I have read a lot of negative opinions of Armour’s new formula, I took one dose and had an allergic reaction to it, it was the lowest dose available. Good luck.

I was able to get a three-month supply of Armour (60 mg.) from Medco recently.

I also was allergic to Armour Thyroid, but can take Natur-throid very well. It formulated as a non allergenic without fillers.

To CyndiS

It must be nice for you that you have health care insurance. I am uninsurable in the U.S. – only a totally insensitive person would say there is no health care crisis in this country. You’re right though that this is not the forum for it, so why don’t you drop the subject and be helpful instead of hateful.

My Canadian shipment of Thyroid had FDA paperwork in it so it is not illegal.

When did some Americans get so mean and selfish! To everyone else, thank you for your imput.

Marie

FYI – All foods, drugs, and vitamins are slowly being irradiated, (x-rayed or pasteurized) which ruins the potency. This process happens after the Lab Essay is produced so you never have anything in writing proving its potency has gone bad. I tried to hire an independent lab to test my thyroid meds, too expensive. I don’t have a thyroid gland and notice any and all changes. I caught on to this change two years ago. I have three different bottles of Thyrolar, they are all different in potency, the newer the prescription, the less the drug inside. FDA also now only requires med’s to be 80% of potency; it used to be 95%. I have a friend who owns a compounding pharmacy and keeps me in the loop. Good luck to all Americans. The fear factor of bacteria is what has driven this craze along with money and politics of the drug companies… They are screwing us! But I believe in God, it’s all in the bible. We need to pray!
Heidi

I was lucky and found 10 Armour 30mg at a walgreens, 10 at a walmart and 100 at a target in NJ. I than had my M.D order 30×3 renewals. I really need to take 15mg and have sliced them with a brand new razor blade.I get usually a pretty good half but the rest is powder that I discard. I am happy at least that I have it if my homeopathic does not continue to provide enough suoport.

To Gary, you can purchase pill cutters at Walmart or any drug store.

HeidiW

Marie,
I have health insurance but don’t use it for the doctor I go to. The good docs often don’t take insurance. And my deductible is so high anyway, it doesn’t do me much good – and hasn’t for years. We’ve considered dropping it many times, but guess we do need it for catastrophic coverage. Which is what most people need. Health care is not a right. Unless you think having enough food is a right – which would then seem to be a more important item to be working on anyway. And why not everyone having a house be a right? Or a car?
Perhaps you’re just not familiar with our Constitution?
I was in Benefits Administration for many many years. I understand that we, the consumer, helped create the health insurance problems. I’ve followed this since the ’80s…I saw the problem developing. When we got out of knowing what medical items costs (because our insurance would pay it all of course), the problem started. I also understnad that government mandates caused price increases too. I’m fully informed on the subject.
And it is a complicated one.
But having a different opinion from you does not make me insensitive, hateful, selfish, or any of the other names that some like to call people who have a difference of opinion with them – instead of having factual debate…or at least respectfully disagreeing. and really, there is NO health crisis in this nation. If people need treatment, they go to the emergency room and are treated. No one is dying on the streets. Again, over 80% of people are satisfied with their health insurance (btw, health insurance does not guarantee access to health care), and over 60% of people do not want the government in our health care. Changing the whole system to accomodate the minority is like me building a new house because my linoleum needs replacing. Doesn’t make sense.
The gov’t in our health care is about control…not caring…

I am in Europe, and find it almost unbelievable that the U.S. lacks universal health care, and we hear lots of stories from journalists or other people visiting or working temporarily in the States telling us about ridiculous prices of meds.

One journalist had to get a prescription of Tamiflu, and the appointment to get teh prescription was outrageously expensive, and two pachets of Tamiflu were five times the price in europe. Just an example.

Thyroxine is also less than one fifth the price here i Europe.

It’s always interesting to read about meds being so much cheaper outside the USA.
You have to remember that it is because of our torte system, that our meds cost so much more.
With all the law suits, pharmacy manufacturers have to charge more. I can only imagine what their insurance costs are. Any one with a side effect can sue the manufacturer.
I would think, that once the FDA has approved a medicine, the customer should not be able to sue…that would bring down the cost for everyone!
As I understand it, people in other countries cannot sue a company because the med has been approved by their government.
Until Americans change their torte system, the cost for meds, insurance, and health care will continue to sky rocket.

So, CindiS, a “minority” of 43.6 million people justifies letting them go without access to health care?
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/2003-09-30-insurance_x.htm

That a “minority” of 45,000 Americans dying each year because, for a multitude of legitimate reasons including losing their jobs and coverage, they could not get the care they needed to live, is not your concern or responsibility?
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/17/eveningnews/main5318652.shtml

Even one needless death is one too many.

Owning a car is a privilege; transportation is a right. Owning a house is a privilege; housing is a right.

Getting a face lift or a private hospital room is a privilege; health care is a right.

There IS a health crisis in this country. People ARE dying on the streets, and in their homes, in all our neighborhoods all over this country, and they have been for years. Sixty percent of bankruptcies are caused by excessive medical bills, from people who actually have insurance.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/05/bankruptcy.medical.bills/index.html

People sell their homes to pay their medical bills. They use up their savings and retirement just to pay these bills. And private insurance companies make millions each year from denying claims and canceling sick policyholders.
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jun/17/business/fi-rescind17

The emergency room is for emergencies, not long-term care. Cancer can’t be fixed like a like a broken finger or cut. People can’t just walk into an emergency room and get treatment and therapy for their Alzheimer’s, dementia, heart disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus or any other disease or chronic illness that requires long term care, including thyroid disease, which if untreated can be fatal. Usually, by the time uninsured people with chronic illnesses get to the emergency room they are too far gone to be treated. Many are sent home to die.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/18/deaths.health.insurance/index.html

By the way, a CNN poll from early December shows that 53 percent of people are in favor of a government-run public option. Another similar poll from Research 2000 showed that 58 percent favor both a public option and Medicare expansion together, and are not interested in reform without a public option.
(opens a PDF document) http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/12/10/rel18h.pdf
http://act.boldprogressives.org/cms/sign/natpollresults121809/

Mary,

Thanks for posting this information. As a compounding pharmacist, I appreciate the fact that consumers can access this information and find places to get the medication they need. Compounding pharmacies are designed to meet this type of need.

Mike

I contacted RLC Labs and they responded on 1/7/10 –

“We are pleased to announce we have started to release Nature-Throid 65mg, 1 grain, in limited quantities. Please be aware it may take several weeks for the product to be readily available at your local pharmacy or physician’s office. If you need a prescription filled immediately please contact Clark’s Pharmacy.”

Clark’s Pharmacy

480-488-2007 phone

480-575-0541

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE.

My husband and I have been on Armour thyroid for over 10 years….we are healthy and Thankful to the Lord for abundant health. We are praying about what to take for our future meds. for our thyroid. It is looking like that we will go with grass fed animal thyroid compound with no fillers but vegetable base.
We recently have used:
a compound by our pharmacy and also Erfa from Canada.
We would recommend the compound because you can control the purity of the product and know your source.

We were very disappointed with Erfa and WOULD NOT RECOMMEND BECAUSE:
:
sugar is one of the fillers and we do not eat white processed sugar.
Also Erfa advertises that they have plenty of supply of the porcine thyroId from America. (Why does America have shortage then)?????
Erfa used to be Phiszer(sp) from America
After taking Erfa for six days..noticed tiny red spots on my body caused from the sugar.
Affected my focus and clarity.
Ingredients are: desiccated thyroid from US, sugar,talc, magnesium stearate and cornstarch.
Will not take this product and would not recommend.

Here are some sites that you can check out about Erfa:
Blessings and Prayers for the person reading this to find the right product for them IN JESUS NAME.

Sincerely,
DJP
henri.knafo@erfa.net
thyroid.erfa.net

Have taken armour for over 10 years.
ERFA DID NOT WORK FOR ME…TERRIBLE
COMPOUND WITH PORCINE THYROID, AVICEL IN VEGIE CAP DOES WORK.
BLESSINGS AND PRAYERS,
DJP

make sure you check out the compounding pharmacy.
what organization are they affil with?
do they make your compound fresh
do they have good customer service.
are they in any law suits concerning their quality control.
ask questions ask questions
are they kind and helpful now
first impressions count.
WOULD NEVER RECCOMMEND APOTHECARY IN DALLAS
WHAT IS IN MY COMPOUND AND WHAT CHOICES CAN I MAKE?
BLESSINGS AND PRAYERS,
DJP

I’m wondering if anyone here can tell me why (if this shortage is due to a lack of quantity and/or quality thyroid powder), compounding pharmacies are able to meet our needs? Whether it’s in Armour, Westhroid, or whipped-up at the pharmacy it all depends on desiccated thyroid powder.
So does this mean:
1. I’m getting inferior powder in my compounded capsules?
2. pharmacists are using powder sources that manufacturers can not or will not use?
3. Or are we still not getting the whole story here?

Hi is Armour Thyroid Available in Uk.If so could I please have recommended online pharmacies.I have been on synthetic hormones for ten years and feel like hell.

if you check out thyroid uk it lists all the chemists that stock armour, nature throid, westhroid and erfa. Can anyone tell me if the new Armour is as good as the old? can get it in the uk now:)

After trying the new Armour, Naturethroid and Levoxyl with T3 cream, I finally have luck with the olive oil compounded desiccated thyroid, but the last batch isn’t working. Hunch is that it was filled during the extreme heat wave late July, and it spoiled.

Another serious snafu since Armour reformulated!

Mary said something about heat effecting thyroid meds.

i’ve found this site helpful. I’ve been on Snthroid for a yr. undiagnosed for 5yrs. but, seeing drs. MY dosage has changed 6 times in a yr. I f like I cant go on, feeling so sick. I’d like to put myself on natural thyroid, tired of being sick. I’ve not been able to work very much….losing hope.