May 26, 2009

nature-throidWith so many folks reporting problems with the newly-formulated Armour, there is a growing body of individuals stating they are switching to Naturethroid by RLC Labs (formerly Western Research), another prescription brand of desiccated thyroid.  Here is info to carry with you if you switch:

1) Naturethroid has a coating on the outside, and some patients state they bite on the pill to remove the coating, and still try to do it sublingually. No sugar, but some are determined.

2) One grain of Naturethroid is 65 mg rather than the 60 mg that Armour users have been used to. Two grains are 130 mgs, etc. (One grain is actually 64.8 but it’s easier to round it up). Strengths are 1/4, 1/2, one grain, two grains, three grains.

3) The makers of Naturethroid will be creating a 1 1/2 grain tablet by next year to add to the sizes they currently have. Other sizes are in the works, as well.

4) Ingredients are:

  • Porcine Thyroid Powder, U.S. Pharmacopeia
  • Microcrystalline Cellulose
  • Dicalcium Phosphate
  • Sodium Starch Glycolate
  • Magnesium Stearate
  • Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
  • Stearic Acid
  • Carnauba Wax
  • Polyethylene Glycol

5) Naturethroid uses the same USP thyroid powder as any good desiccated thyroid product—it “adheres to full pharmaceutical purity and standardization on the consistency of the hormones along with full pre-and-post testing procedures associated with quality prescription products.”

6) RLC Labs is a small and friendly pharmaceutical company, and you are going to see improvements to their website coming.

7) Twitter has a new Nature Throid website.

8 ) RLC labs also distributes Westhroid, which is identical and mostly used by veterinarians.  There won’t be newly-created strengths for Westhroid as there will be for Naturethroid.

9) When switching, you will have to figure out if you need to be on a similar amount as before, or a different amount, according to symptoms.

10) And finally, it’s been around since the 1930’s–another tried and true desiccated thyroid product!

*From the UK? The Royal College of Physicians isn’t too smart.  See below.  And for other still-very-relevant posts, scroll down.

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56 Responses to “Are you switching to Nature-throid? Here’s 10 good things to know!”

  1. Kaia said:

    May 29, 09 at 9:24 pm

    Thank you for the information. I’m incredibly disappointed with the new Armour, so I will be switching to Naturethroid soon.

    Any idea if RLC Labs has any plans to create a sublingual formulation? (We can all wish)

  2. nichole said:

    Jun 02, 09 at 10:25 am

    I am so glad I have found this. I have been hypothyroid for 20 years, and over the last 2 or 3 I have been complaining to my doctor about my horribly swollen legs (complete lack of ankles – I’m 35 and 140lbs.) and all he tells me is to wear support hose. I recently discovered I have EXTREME High cholesterol too, there is no hist of it in the family, and I eat pretty healthy. Yet Doc can’t explain it just wants to put me on more pills.

    After finding this sight I can finally hopefully experience what its like to be really happy again no more Eeyore

    I can’t say Thank you enough!

  3. Bridget said:

    Jun 10, 09 at 3:49 pm

    Is Nature-Throid as effective as Armour? I have been doing some searches on one vs. the other, and am reading that it isn’t. This is only based on a few hits.

  4. Jane C. said:

    Jun 16, 09 at 1:36 pm

    Bridget…give it a try. I switched from Armour to Naturethroid about 3 weeks ago and I feel that I’m doing better on it. I take it sublingually and the new Armour wasn’t working for me. My pharmacy had never heard of Naturethroid but thankfully they ordered it for me.

  5. Becci said:

    Jun 23, 09 at 10:00 am

    Please also know that there are many of us out here who have stayed with Armour even after the formulation change. Up your dosage and then give it time…you don’t have to switch if you can be patient and find the correct dosage that works for you. It still works, just may need to work on the dosage a bit.

  6. Alex S. said:

    Jun 26, 09 at 1:11 pm

    How can I take Naturethroid sublingually?

  7. Norah H. said:

    Jul 10, 09 at 8:18 pm

    My doc won’t give me Armour or anything but Levothyroxine. I feel like total crap and keep having problems. They keep testing me for EVERYTHING and coming up with nothing else. The rheumatologist wants me to try Plaquenil, which is an immunosuppressant, so I’m thinking about asking him to prescribe Naturethroid for me first before I try that…..what kind of docs are letting you guys on the dessicated thyroid??

  8. Sarah said:

    Jul 12, 09 at 12:02 pm

    I finally got my Dr.to prescribe Armour but she wouldn’t up my dose to help me feel better.So I went to see a Naturopath and he is working with me to increase my dose safely(as described on this website).I don’t feel well yet,since I am still slowly increasing my dose but I am also not sure if I will feel well since I have just got my script refill and discovered it is the new Armour.I might switch to Naturethroid if I don’t get results soon.Also, how do people do Naturethroid sublingually?I am having a hard time doing the new armour sublingually:it is disgusting and takes a long time to dissolve.

  9. Ms. C Hill said:

    Jul 13, 09 at 10:13 am

    I am devasted because of the new armour. I did well on Armour until the formula change. I have experienced The same problems and then some. I am a type 1 diabetic- since the age of 9. I am now 50. After 3 yrs. of being on Armour, the outer part of my eyebrows had just started to fill in. Now I have lost almost all of my eyebrows. I look 65 -70 yrs. I can’t sleep, can’t concentrate and my memory is just about lost. I feel horrible. Look worse and can not control my blood sugars, thanks to Armour. My hair is falling out again and I am experiencing a roller coaster- emotionally. I’m afraid to make any major decisions. How can I contact Forest. I want them to know—that they are literally -killing me.

  10. Marian said:

    Jul 13, 09 at 5:03 pm

    If you want to try Nature-Throid and have been getting denied by your pharmacy, you can have your pharmacist call RLS directly or have RLS call them. RLS will provide the order code they need to work with whomever is their distributor. I called them to ask for a lead on which pharmacy to contact, and they took the bull by the horns and said they’d call my pharmacy for me. Now I will be getting my exact prescription of Nature-Throid, no pill splitting or substitutions in strength. You can call them at 1-877-797-7997. RLC labs is awesome and indeed very friendly!!

  11. kendra said:

    Jul 19, 09 at 5:08 am

    Now I know whats going on with me! I wish i could be happy about they answer, but i feel like, now what? Hopefully the Naturethroid will work but how to undo the damage already done? The days lost? the hair lost! I have scalp psorisis, so bad, been getting sick and have that annoying cough, sensitive to cold, just feel so tired and unmotivated. Sigh, what do we do? could the FDA just keep thier noses out of a good thing? It is them that demanded this change in formulation.
    Best of luck to us all!!!

  12. Lizzo said:

    Jul 20, 09 at 2:43 pm

    I just began Nature-Throid today. I am on 3 grains since I was taking 112 of Synthroid and 90 of Armour. I am anxious to see how long it takes to “kick” in and hope to see some of the effects of the other medications reversed. My pharmacy (Target) had to order the Nature-Throid but it only took a day to get in. The pharmacist did tell me that he has been unable to get Armour so I feel better knowing that I am not being held to a medicine that isn’t readily available.

  13. MariBeth said:

    Jul 28, 09 at 5:33 pm

    Kendra–wow, totally experiencing the same!! I have the scalp psorisis too, can’t get rid of it…come to think of it, it started after the Armour formulation change. I finally got my doc to switch me to Naturethroid so will begin tonight, sure hope the symptoms subside I have been barely hanging in there. Glad to know though it is just not my imagination and others are experiencing the same.

  14. Denise said:

    Jul 30, 09 at 5:20 am

    I don’t get it off the Doc. I order it off the web. Don’t trust the Doc’s. I prefer to self medicate as they nearly killed me on that Levo poison, I had seven months of Levo-Hell until I really had, had enough and ordered Armour. I am not prepared to go back to where I was and I have now ordered Nature-throid. There is no need to beg, cry and plead to the Doc’s order it for yourself!

  15. Stephanie said:

    Aug 03, 09 at 2:53 pm

    Denise,
    How do you order it without Rx? I would’ve done much better for many years if I could self medicate as you do.
    The drs nearly killed me too… long story…
    I’ve had thyroid problems and other hormone problems since age 11- I’m 49. Natural thyroid is the only one that works. The synthetics make me worse. After being quite ill for many years leading to several life-threatening things in the past two years, similar experiences to Nora H above, I finally convinced a dr that those problems started when I was taken off thyroid a long time ago, and that I got better ONLY whenever I’ve been on thyroid (briefly because I’d have a bad reaction because no one understood the difference in levo and natural thyroid, and my adrenal problem needed to be treated too).
    After 4 months and several drs reluctantly giving me only tiny amounts, finally the last one got the dose up to 30mg 3 times a day, and that was working for two months, then the Armour formula change and I started getting worse. My dr refused to believe that, and said the insurance co will not allow her to raise it any higher without tests (that she wouldn’t do because they might show normal despite my bad symptoms), that only an endo can raise it- but I already know the few endos here are terrible.
    So I explained about the Armour backorders and shortages as my reason I asked to be switched to Westhroid. She agreed if I would find where to get it, (I was afraid Naturethroid sounds too “natural”). Westhroid is on WalMart’s distributor’s special order list, but in the wrong dose, so WalMart is trying to get what I need when no other pharmacy here would try. While waiting to get that, I had to call all over to find Armour, finally found a month supply, and when I got it, it is the OLD formula and I felt better with the first pill and it has been a couple weeks and I’m still feeling better! Definitely problems with the new Armour! Now several weeks later Walmart’s distributor is still haggling with Walmart and with RLC labs who contacted Walmart for me (RLC offered to help me), to set up the order. RLC and Walmart have both been very helpful… so far… but still no Westhroid because of the distributor problem… I’m afraid the dr might change her mind before Walmart can get it.
    So I wish I could order it myself…

  16. julie Hayes said:

    Aug 08, 09 at 2:03 pm

    I have Hashimoto thyroiditis and have been on a low dose 1gr for nearly 2 years. Armour kept me sane but it never eliminated all the symptoms.

    Recently I have changed to Nature-throid and felt the difference straight away. Although it took the depression down within a few days I still feel very tired but feel even worse when I try to raise the dose. My body temperature (pm) is now reaching 37.0 which is something that didnt happen with Armour.
    Recently the temperature went up to 37.4 bit high I think, pulse rate up too.

    I have used Cortef for a while. Is it still my adrenals or do I need to drop the Nature-throid down to maybe .45mc as I think that it actually is working and maybe overdosing a little. Feel quite anxious not. (from Janie: you are definitely here: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/adrenal-info and here: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/mistakes-patients-make And use a patient group for feedback: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/talk-to-others)

  17. k said:

    Aug 09, 09 at 5:23 pm

    Stephanie I know you can order your westhroid from womens international pharmacy they have the one grain available you can get the number from rlc labs.
    or google it it should be there but i have definately found the number on the naturethroid website.

  18. robbielyn said:

    Aug 10, 09 at 2:55 pm

    CVS pharmacies uses a distributer that can get nature-throid. Just got the doc to prescribe. Must be a good doc told him i wanted a 1/2 gr bid and he said fine but you should know I have never heard of it, its a prescription? I said yeah its same as armour only different fillers. Ok but I think bid is wierd but so be it. I didn’t tell him about taking it sublingually he was concerned that taken by mouth means less absorption cause of food in the stomach. but he went ahead and prescribed for me.

  19. Stephanie said:

    Aug 11, 09 at 5:37 pm

    The CVS here refuses to even discuss the possibility of ordering Naturethroid or Westhroid. They are one of the most difficult to deal with. And the other pharmacies that can order it, the distributors have 1 gr but not 1/2 gr which is the dose that I need to get, because I take it either three times a day or two in am and 1 in afternoon. That is why it was necessary to find a store that would get the 1/2 grain. I think based on my symptoms, even the (old, good) Armour might have needed to be raised by another 1/2 gr, which would make it possible to use the 1 gr Naturethroid/Westhroid. But when my Rx was filled with the new Armour, I started getting so much worse again that it was like taking nothing at all and this had the dr very confused. But she also knows that the blood tests are very inaccurate for me so she didn’t order them, because she explained that if her records are audited it would be questioned why she had me on thyroid Rx EVEN though my symptoms show I still have my lifelong hypothyroidism. At least she understands that, unlike most drs I’ve used in the last 30 yrs.
    So rather than hunt all over town for the useless Armour that is backordered most places, I asked the Dr to switch me to Westhroid and she agreed. To be sure that wouldn’t be a problem obtaining it, I’d already checked with the mfg, RLC, to set up so my pharmacy could get it. But when lots of people started switching (probably because of the excellent info on this website!), RLC had difficulty keeping up with suddenly shipping out so many orders. But mine finally arrived at my local pharmacy today.

    From Janie: I warned RLC last month, but I figured warning them is quite different from the actual reality of so many switching. lol. I’m sure they are sweating with a smile.

  20. m. said:

    Aug 12, 09 at 2:45 pm

    i want to try nature-throid but not sure how to convince a doc, it seems from this site and my past experiences it can be quite difficult to get your doc to believe you when you know what you want/need. i have an appt next friday with an endo

    i have found a few places online to get naturethroid, but how do i know its the real deal? if my doc wont Rx for me, i’m getting it myself. so i want to be sure i get the best stuff. my doctors have frustrated me to no end but i am hopeful for a new one. again. sigh. but in the event i am told its synthroid for a few months, or whatever else everyone on here has had to put up with, i am running for the hills and getting my own natural meds.

  21. Tanya said:

    Aug 13, 09 at 9:01 am

    Hi, I am from South africa, however do not know where to get Naturehthroid. I have phoned some pharmacies, however with no luck.

    Does anyone know where i can:
    1. Find a South African doctor that will consider this as an alternative med
    2. Where I can purchase it in South Africa?
    3. If not, what alternative can be considered.

    One thing I know is that I cannot continue like this anylonger.

    Thanks

  22. Kemi said:

    Aug 15, 09 at 7:43 am

    Hi Tanya,
    I’m currently looking into finding Nature Throid in SA. Leave me an email and if I have any luck I will contact you to let you know.
    Blessings
    Kemi

  23. Michele said:

    Aug 16, 09 at 2:12 pm

    I did talk my Dr. into prescribing Naturethroid for me, switching from synthroid that was making me feel so horrible, dry hair & skin, migrains, lack of energy and concentration, forgetfulness. I went to my Costco pharmacy and they had filled a generic thyroid for me. I decided to try it and the first two months were so great, this 3rd month I am feeling so horrible again, the exhaustion is overwhelming. I called Costco and asked if they could please just fill my original prescription and they said they could not get Naturethroid or Armour; They were both on backorder. So I called RLS, who were so nice to me before and they told me that Naturethroid was on backorder but to try Westhroid which is the same as Naturethroid.
    So I called my Dr. and she said she would write me another prescription that would say no substitutions. Costco said if they couldn’t fill it they would help me find another pharmacy that could. So I wish us all luck on our journey to find the correct medication…

  24. lynn said:

    Aug 17, 09 at 9:42 am

    Tanya

    Yes you can import some Nature thyroid or Westhroid from here http://www.internationalpharmacy.com/en/products/search/thyroid/1. You do not need a prescription for shipping to South Africa.

  25. Ingrid said:

    Aug 17, 09 at 1:40 pm

    Once again I feel compelled to thank this site for answering my questions. When I first came across STTM three years ago it was the beginning of a health revolution for me. Now, after weeks of bewildering hair loss, EXHAUSTION, joint aches, etc., I immediately realized I was on the new Armour (actually considered that I’d gotten a ‘bad batch’) after I read this. Started Naturethroid three days ago and having some symptoms that are probably related to needing a slightly higher dose. I often refer people to this site with the warning that everything they read here is true–no matter how far-fetched it may seem. THANK YOU again.

  26. kendra said:

    Aug 17, 09 at 5:31 pm

    Hello all!
    have been On Naturethroid now for a month, and am feeling better! yay! more energy for sure, still have a ways to go but hang in there it will work! I am taking 4 NT compared to the 3 Armour I was taking. Also taking it sublingually with a bit of sugar.
    Best!

  27. April said:

    Aug 19, 09 at 6:23 am

    Hey everyone. I’ve been on Armour for over a year and just picked up my RX’s and realized the RX was switched to Naturthroid (it said Armour was unavailable). I started looking around online and realized that many people have been experiencing prob’s w/Armour. I immediately came to this site b/c I know the info here is very accurate.

    So anyway I’ve realized that I’ve been having prob’s w/the Armour as well. The last time I went to my doc (a few months ago) I told him I was still feeling fatigue and lack of motivation. He did a blood test and said that my thyroid was actually elevated – which surprised me. He put me on iodine (25mg) and decreased my Armour dose. I went from 1 1/2 grains down to 1 grain. This helped w/the little bit of palpitations I was having, but I’ve still been really tired.

    Sooo…now I realize that I’ve been taking a different version of Armour all this time and I’m wondering if that’s been my problem?

    The bottle of Naturethroid says for me to take 3 tablets (1/2 grain each). But should I start out with 2 tablets since that’s the dosage of Armour that I was taking?

    Sorry this is so long! Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated! Thanks in advance…
    April

  28. Karl said:

    Aug 19, 09 at 6:37 pm

    Can you switch from synthroid to Naturthyroid straight across without any type of adjustment?

    (www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/things-we-have-learned)

  29. Lauren said:

    Aug 24, 09 at 5:24 am

    I have been on 100 mcg of synthroid for a few months and started my first dose of Nature Throid (63mg) today. I so far have noticed that my heart beat is very slow again as it was before I was increased to 100 mcg of synthroid. I have tried to look for websites or any info about what to expect if any side effects after switching over to Nature throid but can’t find any info….any personal experiences or websites would be extremely helpful:)

    (This page is always helpful for those starting on desiccated thyroid: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/things-we-have-learned followed by this page: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/mistakes-patients-make )

  30. Justine said:

    Aug 25, 09 at 6:00 am

    Help! I was on 88 mg Synthroid but had the side effect of losing hair. So my nutritionist looked at my numbers, noticed I needed both T3 and T4, and we worked on getting Nature Throid. I had dropped to 44 mg of Synthroid over the past 2 weeks while trying to find Nature Throid as the hairloss was too drastic.

    They gave me 1/2 gr. (32.5 m) of Nature-Throid which I started yesterday. And immediately got hot flushes, anxiety, etc. I see these are side effects–does this go away? Is this too strong for me and maybe I’ll have to work my way up? And can I cut these in half in the meantime.

    One more comment–yes, I have had exhausted adrenals and have been on Isocort for a year.

    Thanks for this great site.

    (from Janie: Bingo. You aren’t on enough cortisol. Use the NTH Adrenals group here for feedback which will help with your doctor: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/talk-to-others)

  31. Michelle said:

    Aug 26, 09 at 7:52 am

    I am on the phone with Cigna and according to their pharmacist, Naturethroid has been discontinued in all strengths but one, with no other natural thyroid alternatives. I’m lost right now in figuring out how to get dosed properly with just synthroid and cytomel.

    (From Janie: see my latest blog post for August 25th. Erfa.)

  32. Jane said:

    Aug 31, 09 at 6:24 pm

    I’m trying to post again. My first post was not accepted for some reason but I believe the public should know. Be wary of anyone who is all against or all for any type of med. They all work differently for people. I switched from generic levothyroxine to naturethroid because I believed it was a better product and I prefer natural over synthetic. Naturethroid seemed to work fine until 3 months into it, I was getting heart palpitations/fluctuations that really bothered me. I was actually even reduced to 1/4 grain the smallest dose possible and still it was not right for me. Perhaps too much T3 and maybe my body can convert T4 to T3 just fine. I do believe naturethroid is a good med for some people and can entirely change how well one feels. You just have to listen to patients who will tell you that. It is a lifesaver for some, just not for me. I talked to my doctor who is a naturopath and he said he’s only run into 4 cases like mine where synthetic works better. My son is on 1.5 grains of naturethroid with no real side effects so far (5 months into it) and can tolerate it quite well. I, on the other hand could not. People need to be careful to completely rule out one med over another and try them out to see what works best for an individual. I am back on synthetic levothroxine but a name brand this time and so far feel good.

    (From Janie: Jane, this is the first time a post like this from you has come through. Probably something went wrong in it’s transmission. As far as your experience, it would be wise to do a 24 hour adrenal saliva test as well as check your ferritin. One or the other may have been causing your experience with naturethroid, not that it wasn’t right for you. :)

  33. Jane said:

    Sep 01, 09 at 6:59 am

    In response to Janie, I think I understand the adrenal part but how would ferritin affect that? Iron causes low energy I know, anything else I need to know? My TSH is above the normal range. At TSH 3.8 I could hardly function with varying degrees in between. At 1.5 I feel good. My T4 and T3 levels are on the low end too. Since this already shows a thyroid issue, I’m not one of those with normal thyroid tests with symptoms. All I know is that without thyroid meds, I feel so drained and dragging. I considered adrenal fatigue and had tests done and went that route before trying any thyroid meds and did do the things suggested to recover from that for several months but my problem seems to be my thyroid affecting my adrenal health making them work overtime. I also have a family history of thyroid problems but I’m catching mine early. My aunt ignored her symptoms and had her thyroid removed at 50 due to a tumor. I am 37 and currently have the symptoms she had.

    (From Janie: read these two pages: http://hwww.stopthethyroidmadness.com/ferritin and http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/mistakes-patients-make)

  34. April said:

    Sep 02, 09 at 2:40 pm

    I started Armour in April for Hashmotos at a 3.5 TSH, the real reason I did it was to get pregnant as lowering your TSH helps with this during IVF.

    My hair started to fall out right way on the med (did nto have this before or ever in my life) and then got increasingly worse in June until I had to off of it. Thinking, well hoping it was the new and bad formulation of Armour I switched to Nature throid. Within two week my hair was falling out again> My hair never fell out before these drugs. In between the meds my TSH rebounded and shot up to 6. So I had to cancel IVF and now can’t do it at all because my TSH is WAY out of range.

    Next I tried Levothyroine with MAJOR hair loss within two weeks again- and went off it two weeks ago> Now my hair is massively falling out on its own> great.

    I am in hell now, crying as my hair is falling out beyond description. I can’t even try IVF which is devastating. I am freezing in my hands and feet and have no doubt that my TSH has shot way up now. I think now my hair is falling out from my thyroid.

    I am thinking about giving the Nature-throid another chance because I read there can be an interaction with it and birth control pills (who knows what just an “interaction” I read) I was on birth control for 2 weeks right when I was on the Nature-throid.

    Do people think I should give it another shot maybe at even a lower does like 1/4 instead of 1/2? I feel horrible right now in so many ways, despair to put it lightly.

    Any support or advise would help. Most people have their hair loss STOP on armour or Naturethroid… I had it begin because of them and now is falling out on its own.

    (From Janie: you need to read these pages, because one or more of them can explain your experience: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/mistakes-patients-make and http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/adrenal-info and http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/ferritin)

  35. shelly said:

    Sep 03, 09 at 7:26 am

    Can you tell me if there are any differences between westrhroid and nature throid? I went from one to the other and have red itchy bumps randomly but daily now. I also changed from generic syntrhoid to brand at the same time sooo… I am trying to determine which is to blame??

    From Janie: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/armour-vs-other-brands

  36. Jennifer said:

    Sep 09, 09 at 9:59 am

    I contacted a compounding pharmacy near where I live and they advised that Naturethroid is on backorder. But they said that while it is on back order this allows them to mix up their own replacement there in-house. has anyone ever heard of or tried this?

  37. Candice said:

    Sep 10, 09 at 11:12 am

    Jennifer, I also called my pharmacist today and they can no longer get Nature Throid/Westhroid – it is on back order for at least 3-4 months. My doc and the pharmacist “believe” nature-throid and Westhroid will be discontinued all together because this drug is NOT FDA approved. They did say they can compound it – but most insurance companies will not cover “compounding” and it’s pretty expensive.

    I called Nature Throid and they confirmed they are on back order – but did not speculate they will be discontinuing the drug.

    My doctor said Armour Throid, Westhroid and Nature-throid are the ONLY alternatives to Synthroid and Levohyroxin (sp?). THIS STINKS!!!

  38. Margaret said:

    Sep 10, 09 at 6:53 pm

    Shelly,
    Our pharmacies in VA are saying the same things to us. I have no clue what will happen to us if the FDA shuts down our natural thyroid replacements. I’m confused as to how we all got scripts from our doctors for a non-approved FDA drug? Why is it suddenly a problem? I’m all for better natural hormone replacement-and if there are problems solve them, don’t remove them. I have severe itching on ALL thyroid meds-Synthroid, Levothyroxine, Reformulated Armour, Nature Throid. Playing around with Adrenal complex, Isocort, short term Prednisone, but thinking it’s a protein, or amino acid, deficiency. Oh, I also have Lyme, so I’m sure the FDA and WHO will ban any natural Lyme remedies, as well. That will make us buy from private dealers. Oh, the insanity of it all, and thank God for STTM, and you wonderful people.
    Thyroidless in VA…

  39. catherine said:

    Sep 18, 09 at 7:59 am

    has anyone tried the iodine 6 mg/iodide 7.5mg formula of dr andrew jones of the women’s health institute of texas? my endo. says the natural thyroid meds are not going to be made anymore..i refuse to go on synthroid or other drugs. i had a throidectomy in ‘67 (i/2 removed) been on 30mg armour for yrs w/no problem, now hair loss, no energy, scalp itches etc..endo took blood test says everything is fine..boloney!..those blood tests are never accurate as far as t-4 is concerned..i want to try the iodine formula..would appreciate any feedback. cathy

  40. catherine said:

    Sep 18, 09 at 8:08 am

    i really wld like to know if anyone tried the 6 mg iodine/7.5 mg iodide formula from the women’s health institute of texas. thank you. cathy

  41. Laura said:

    Sep 22, 09 at 8:28 pm

    Was told today all the natural thyroids meds will be discontinued EXCEPT Armour…it will be shipping again ..last of Sept first of Oct.

    I hate the idea of ONE supplier of our natural thyroid med…

    I have been on Armour for two years..BUT I am wondering if the new formula is why I got better…but not as good as I think I should have gotten..

  42. Abbie10 or Judy said:

    Sep 24, 09 at 12:00 pm

    Any one that lives in Indiana is… you know what out of luck.
    Wally World, CVS and I do not know about Walgreens,or Target for sure. If their warehouse does not carry it. They can not order it for you or do a drop shipment.
    We are, I believe the only state that has a law that does not allow drop shipments. This came from RLC labs
    I think this may be a restriction that involved shipping of wine
    We still this law.
    RLC labs saved me a lot of money and stress learning not to search in Indiana.
    My self and husband purchased in different states desiccated thyroid tablets. We have a years supply each.
    I read it is wise and reccomended to have a years supply on hand.
    We both became sick on the New Armour.
    Took me four months before I learned of the Armour change.
    I will never buy their Armour product again.
    You can not tell me they did not know what they were doing to us. And to think I used and trusted this company I used and advised others to do so.
    It really ticks me off. What one will do for money or power.

  43. LauriefromPhili said:

    Sep 26, 09 at 4:12 pm

    Folks:
    I was on Armour for 2 years until around April 2009 when I started to lose my hair (I lost 1/2 of my head of hair!!). I also noticed that my depression came back and I gained about 15 pounds (I was always hungry!). I was tired… It was after some research that I realized that they altered the Armour formulation and that is why I’m having all these problems….

    So I now order Armour out of Canada… only in Canada its called “Thyroid.” Its been around for 30 years and they havent changed the formulation. Since I’ve been on it, my hair stopped falling out and the depression is almost gone. I’m feeling much much better. I ordered it from

    http://www.crossborderpharmacy.com/

  44. Sarah said:

    Oct 06, 09 at 1:20 pm

    Help someone! I made a switch last week from Armour to Nature throid and am having such a tough time! I have gained 5lbs although my appetite is totally gone. I also feel a bit jittery although I am on the same dose as when on Armour. I thought I should perhaps go down in dose because I was feeling so jittery with the switch but my weight gain and low body temperature (96.6) made me think it wouldn’t be a good idea. Has anyone have a hard time with the switch? Anyone have to change their dose from their set armour dose? Thanks for your help!!

  45. Amy said:

    Oct 07, 09 at 7:27 am

    (From Janie: here is what you can do during this shortage time: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/options-for-thyroid-treatment Patients routinely report desiccated thyroid to give far better results than synthetic T4 and synthetic T3)

    I am currently taking levothyroxine and cytomel–have been on t4 meds for 5 yrs. with no improvements–did some research on my own–found this site and finally started taking control of my hypothyroidism!–started cytomel about 6 weeks ago–feel alot better but still having symptoms–the more I read about the Naturethroid the more I want to change over to it–but with all of the info about how hard it is to get from the doc and the pharm. and such I am surely confused now about what to do–have doc. appt today–I have read so many success stories about the natural thyroid meds that I was convinced to change but seems the more I read the more I find reasons NOT to change over– just stay on my levoxyl and cytomel? just dont know what to do now–how unfortunate–

  46. Dorie said:

    Oct 17, 09 at 1:40 pm

    I had a total thyroid collapse about 5 weeks ago. Has any one else had their legs affected by their hypo symptoms? 8 years ago when I became hypo I was not getting enough thyroid hormone in my legs and they actually buckled under me and I was bedridden for about 3 or 4 months till I got onto armour. The reformulation is a joke, Forest Labs should be sued for all our suffering.I would have rather not been on any armour than on a poorly regulated drug in the disguise as armour. My osteopath doctor was not very helpful so I thought I would give synthroid a try since (plus it is so much easier to be medicated on this drug regarding the doctors in this country) it was 8 years since I last went onto synthroid with no luck, well after about 4 weeks of immense suffering on synthroid. Again I have become housebound and have very weak painful calves, so I went off the synthroid and now am on Naturethroid. 2 days and I think I am doing better. You never know right away, but I did not have to take my pain killers the minute I woke up so that is a very good sign. I have to go back to the osteopath doctor because she prescribed the Naturethroid, although I did see a link on this site to buy some kind of natural thyroid without a script. If I did not have the internet to see what other thryoid patients were experiencing I truly would have thought that I lost my mind. I had an entire years worth of Armour because I heard of the upcoming shortage, but who would have thought Forest would have changed the formula without contacting all the pharmacies and informing them of this change, which seems like they forgot to include any active thyroid hormone in their new tablets. I knew the tablets looked, smelled and felt very unlike the old armour tablets. I just wish we, all the thyroid patients who did suffer could get some restitution.

  47. Dorie said:

    Oct 17, 09 at 7:46 pm

    If any one knows of a excellent endo doctor in the Tri-state NY area who can connect weak muscles and painful legs to this hypo condition please put a post on this website for me. Thank you

  48. Trini said:

    Oct 29, 09 at 7:56 pm

    Has anyone had a thryoidectomy? If so what dosage of Naturthroid did you start with? I’m 5 months post-op and was switched from levothyroxine to Naturthroid 6 weeks ago at 2 grains and I decided to increase my dosage to 3 1/4 grains over a six week span but lab results recently came back really high on my t3. My doctor is now backing me down to 1.5 grains. Anybody??

  49. Traci said:

    Oct 31, 09 at 5:09 pm

    I switched from levothyroxine to Naturethroid at the end of August. My muscle pains improved significantly, but I have become increasingly fatigued, to the point of complete and utter exhaustion all the time. I just had my labs done and my TSH had gone from 1.67 in mid August to 25.6 last week. It is no wonder I was exhausted. It appears the Naturethroid did not work AT ALL!

  50. Brenda said:

    Nov 01, 09 at 6:54 pm

    HI, I am on Levoxyl. I am having huge issues. Have no idea if it is the medicine. I feel better than I use to when I was on no meds. But am now seeing a neuro for problems with my nerves. They are saying it is neuropathy. But my hubby researched and found you guys. I am wondering if I switch to Nature will it help. Will my thyroid problems come back? And if I am on .050 Levoxyl daily. How much Nature do I take? Any ideas will help.

    (From Janie: Brenda, here is a page of patient groups you can join and get good feedback: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/talk-to-others Because yes, Naturethroid will be much better)

  51. Catherine said:

    Nov 19, 09 at 11:04 am

    Dorie..from personal experience…Dr. Marcie Wolinsky-Friedland in Ridgefield, CT. She is brilliant.

  52. jackie hales said:

    Dec 08, 09 at 2:03 pm

    I changed from Armour thyroid to Nature-throid and feel so much better. I have two weeks left and cant get it any where any suggestions

  53. Regina G. said:

    Jan 15, 10 at 5:10 pm

    I would like to know if there is any class action against the Labs for Armour Thyroid… Please let me know.

    I had the same problems as most of you with weight gain, hair loss, exhaustion, insomnia, hot flashes, etc…, all started after the Armour Thyroid changed it’s formulation…

    We should be compensated for our sufferings, because we PAID for our medicine to get better, not to get so much worse…

    Please let me know if there is any lawsuit.

    Thank you,

    Regina

  54. Shelly R. said:

    Jan 19, 10 at 4:10 pm

    I too,had the same problems as most of you with weight gain, hair loss, exhaustion, insomnia, hot flashes, etc…, all started after the Armour Thyroid changed it’s formulation…

    We should be compensated for our sufferings, because we PAID for our medicine to get better, not to get so much worse…

    Please let me know if there is any lawsuit.
    Sincerely,
    Shelly

  55. amanda said:

    Feb 11, 10 at 7:55 pm

    was on synthroid due to Hashi’s for 8 years, and stopped taking it 2 years ago due to the severe joint pain, muscle aches so painful could’nt sleep or roll over in bed, no libido, hair falling out etc. TSH rose to 55 at first, then tapered down to 15 eventually. At first, I crashed but then I felt better NOT being on thyroid meds than with synthroid. I wanted to switch to armour, but was now too afraid to try anything! My endo wrote me a script for 30mg of armour last year, I filled the script but was still too frightened to try it. Flash forward to december when the sheer exhaustion forced me to take something. The Armour script is from 2/11/2008. started with the 30 mg for a month then upped it to 60mg for the past 2 weeks. At first slept amazingly well, but it seems that I have NO energy, am out of breath doing the smallest activity, still have no libido and seem to have new joint pain. Could it be that the dosage it too low? Are the meds too old? I do believe that this is the old formula . Does my body need to adjust to any thyroid med after not being on them for 2 years? Has anyone else had a big adjustment period or not felt well immediately?

    Any help or input would be appreciated,
    Amanda

    (From Janie: Hi Amanda. If you get no answers here, which is really more for comments than questions, it might be better to take this to patient groups for great feedback: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/talk-to-others )

  56. hope said:

    Mar 09, 10 at 3:28 pm

    Has anyone had to lower their dose when sitching from new Armour to Nature-throid?

    I just started N-T a couple of weeks ago (at the same dose as I was on Armour) but my heart feels like it’s beating out of my chest and am having other hyper symptoms.

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