A look at the various drugs and treatments used for thyroid conditions, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiter, nodules, thyroid cancer, and autoimmune thyroid disease, developed by thyroid patient advocate Mary Shomon.
During 2009, the unprecedented shortages of natural desiccated thyroid drugs -- like Armour Thyroid and Nature-Throid -- has caused major shortages, backorders, and concerns for patients. The following is key coverage of the issue in 2009.
During the Spring of 2009, the natural desiccated thyroid drug, Armour Thyroid, apparently underwent a reformulation of fillers, including a decrease in the amount of dextrose, increase in cellulose, and the addition of cornstarch to the tablets. Since that time, some patients have been reporting a variety of problems with this new Armour formula, and some are choosing to switch to other drugs, including Nature-Throid and Westhroid.
Remembering to take your thyroid medications and pills is one of the most essential things we can do as thyroid patients that will help ensure that we get the best results from treatment. But sometimes, it can be hard to remember to take medications as prescribed. What tips and tricks do you have to help you remember to take your thyroid medication?
Ongoing coverage of potential risks of swine flu from the natural thyroid drugs that are made from desiccated porcine thyroid -- derived from pigs -- including Armour Thyroid and Nature-Throid.
People who have thyroid conditions -- including hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism / Graves' disease -- sometimes choose to not take their prescription medications for various reasons. Patient advocate Mary Shomon looks at their reasons, along with the health implications that go along with failing to take prescribed thyroid medications.
When you have an underactive thyroid -- hypothyroidism -- a surgically removed thyroid, or a thyroid that has been disabled by radioactive iodine, you need thyroid hormone replacement. Drugs include the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine (i.e., Synthroid, Levoxyl), as well as synthetic forms of the T3 hormone. Natural, animal-derived desiccated thyroid, such as Armour Thyroid, is also used. …
Whether you take a levothyroxine drug like Synthroid, or a natural thyroid medication like Armour Thyroid, it's important that you know how to take your thyroid medication properly. Helpful information including the timing of your medication, interactions with foods, drugs and supplements are covered, as well as creative ways to remember to take your thyroid medication.
When thyroid hormone replacement doesn't seem to be working as well as it should, there are some factors to consider, including the possibility of overmedication, undertreatment, problems with generics drugs, or potency problems due to heat. Here are some issues to troubleshoot in your thyroid hormone replacement regimen.
Desiccated thyroid drugs have been in use for more than 100 years, and are still popular with holistic, alternative and integrative physicians as a treatment for thyroid disease. for thyroid hormone replacement, including Armour Thyroid, used as thyroid hormone replacement and to treat hypothyroidism.
When the thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism) due to radioactive iodine treatment or surgical removal (thyroidectomy), the key medical treatment is thyroid hormone replacement with a prescription medication.
The following is an overview of the key forms of thyroid hormone replacement.
The FDA is narrowing the potency specifications for levothyroxine drugs like Synthroid and Levoxyl, used to treat hypothyroidism and other thyroid conditions. The move is due to concerns about the degradation of the potency over the shelf life of these drugs taken by millions of Americans.
One casualty of heat waves and summer power outages that you may not realize is your prescription medication. If you take any prescription drug, you need to be aware that storage at high temperatures can quickly degrade the potency and stability of many medications. Find out how to avoid heat-related medication problems, and what to do if your medications have been affected.
A look at what thyroid patients can expect in the recuperation period after thyroid surgery / thyroidectomy, from thyroid patient advocate Mary Shomon.
This article looks at complications that can occur after thyroid sugery, including hypoparathyroidism, hypocalcemia, and laryngeal nerve damage.
Thyroid patient advocate Mary Shomon takes a comprehensive look at the various facets of thyroid surgery / thyroidectomy, including the types of surgery, and what the surgery involves.
An experienced thyroid surgeon can reduce your risk of complications, and ensure a better outcome for your health. This article looks at how to find a top thyroid surgeon to perform your thyroidectomy or other thyroid surgery.
A review of key thyroid treatments, including treatments for hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's disease, hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease, nodules, goiter, thyroiditis, thyroid storm, and thyroid cancer.
Thyroid patients have always been told to take their medication in the morning, on an empty stomach, before breakfast. Now research is showing that taking medication at bedtime may help improve absorption of thyroid medication and ease symptoms. Thyroid patient advocate Mary Shomon takes a look.
What should you do if a doctor or pharmacist tells you that Armour Thyroid has been discontinued? Patient advocate Mary Shomon has some eye-opening advice.
A consortium of three organizations involved in thyroid treatment -- the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), American Thyroid Association (ATA) and The Endocrine Society -- are concerned that current FDA standards for levothyroxine bioequivalence and substitution may lead to negative health effects in some patients. What do these concerns mean, and what should thyroid patients do to protect their own health?
Thyroid hormone replacements drugs generally have few side effects, and for those who are hypothyroid due to disease, surgery or radioactive iodine, there are generally few risks to taking thyroid hormone replacement drugs -- levothyroxine drugs like Synthroid, one of the combination drugs like Thyrolar, or a natural desiccated thyroid drug like Armour. The most common risk or side effects of these drugs, however, is overmedication, which is discussed in this article.
thyroid drugs Biotech Armour Naturethroid calcium-fortified juice food Synthroid levothyroxine T4 thyroxine cancer Cytomel Armour desiccated thyroid Thyrolar liotrix Thyrogen recombinant TSH hyperthyroidism Valium Atenolol, Inderal PTU Propylthiouracil Tapazole Carbimazole
medicines quiz test mary shomon
Understanding the Armour Thyroid Recall of Spring 2005: What Patients Need to Know
Research featured in the May 2005 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism has demonstrated that hypothyroidism patients prefer a combination T4/T3 treatment to T4-only treatment. The researchers also found that combination treatment is associated with weight loss, while T4-only treatment is not. This is the largest study to date to show evidence of patient preference for T4/T3 treatment.
The results of a double-blind study crossover trial of thyroid drugs were published in the March 2005 Archives of Internal Medicine. The study, conducted in Spain, compared levothyroxine/T4 treatment for hypothyroidism, versus 2 different combinations of levothyroxine plus synthetic T3 (known as liothyronine), and concluded that T4 only is sufficient. Patient advocate Mary Shomon analyzes the study and finds flaws with its methodology and conclusions.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Jones Pharma Inc. (the subsidiary of King Pharmaceuticals that makes the thyroid drug Levoxyl) have issued a warning letter to healthcare providers, indicating that there are reports of patients having choking, gagging, tablets stuck in the throat, and difficulty swallowing after when taking Levoxyl, primarily without water.
The Generics are Coming, The Generics are Coming!!! Generic Levothyroxine Drugs -- Lower-Cost Versions of Synthroid and Levoxyl -- rom Lannett, Mylan and Sandoz Approved for Sale by FDA
A complete database feauturing information on thyroid hormone replacement drugs, antithyroid drugs, manufacturers and their contact information -- including Synthroid, Thyrolar, Armour, Cytomel, Tapazole, PTU, Thyrogen, and other brands of thyroid drugs.
From Armour Thyroid to Westhroid, and all the drugs in-between, this directory links to all the manufacturer websites for thyroid hormone replacement and antithyroid drugs.
A centralized source for the latest news on thyroid drugs and medicines.
This guide features a comprehensive section on various natural and synthetic thyroid drugs and their pros, cons and use.
An introduction to thyroid hormone replacement, antithyroid drugs, and specific information regarding levothyroxine, liothyronine, liotrix, methimazole, and more.
How to best take your thyroid drugs, the relationship to iodine, kelp supplements, goitrogenic foods like kale and brussel sprouts, interactions with antacids, calcium, iron and much more.
Unithroid was just approved last week, and is the only FDA-approved levothyroxine thyroid drug that is currently available. How did a small company like Jerome Stevens, Unithroid's manufacturer, manage to get approval for its product ahead of a giant like Synthroid? Would you feel better if you switched from an unapproved drug like Synthroid to Unithroid?
Major groundbreaking research reported 2/11/99 in the
New England Journal does complete about-face on current thyroid treatment! You CAN feel better this research shows how!
New Order Form for Armour & Thyrolar info, latest on the Synthroid lawsuit, Can you get Mad Cow disease from Armour, refrigerating Thyrolar, and more...
Latest information thyroid patients need regarding interactions of thyroid hormone with Zoloft and other antidepressants, calcium supplements, and more.
Information about Armour Thyroid and Thyrolar, their inactive ingredients, how to contact the manufacturer for more information, and how to find a doctor willing to prescribe them.
Government finds significant stability, potency and dosage strength problems with levothyroxine drugs such as Synthroid and other brands of thyroid drugs. Find out about the potential serious health consequences you face.
A thyroid patient shares the eloquent letter she wrote her doctor when the doctor refused to prescribe Armour Thyroid, and instead insisted on prescribing Synthroid. A powerful letter that raises many unanswered questions!!
Step-by-step guidelines on how to take your thyroid medication.
Full text of the FDA notice regarding potency and stability problems with Levothyroxine Sodium (Synthroid, Levoxyl, etc.).
Very detailed information on synthetic T4 (i.e., Synthroid) from RxList.
Info on use of nonprescription medicines, from the Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers Association
