Just had a good conversation with Dr. Henri Knafo, the Director of Medical Affairs at Erfa Canada, Inc.
On my post below from yesterday, you will see hopeful information on getting this excellent Canadian desiccated thyroid. And below is more information you have been asking for as patients who know the efficacy of desiccated thyroid.
Erfa’s “Thyroid” comes in three strengths: 30 mg, 60 mg, and 125 mg. Amounts you can order, and costs, are as follows:
30mg 500 tablets $52.00 US; 100 tablets $18.00 US
60mg 500 tablets $70.00 US; 100 tablets $39.00 US
125mg 500 tablets $100.00 US; 100 tablets $ 50.00 US
Erfa will charge a 10$ handling fee (for first time users) and shipping is around $20 US. Knafo states the prices are equivalent to Armour.
Erfa’s Thyroid has been in production for 30 years and they have 5000 Canadian patients on it.
Erfa’s Thyroid is approved by Health Canada (their equivalent to FDA). Erfa spoke to the FDA, and in order for their desiccated thyroid to cross the US border, you have to fill out and sign the FDA patient study form which is mentioned below.
Erfa’s Thyroid is made in Europe with the raw materials, and they bought an excess of it. So there will be no problem getting it and they expect no shortages the rest of the year.
One canadian pharmacy you can use (and is not associated with Erfa) is the Canada Pharmacy Online.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 and is filed under hypothyroidism. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
carri said:
Aug 26, 09 at 11:24 amHi There, everyone is so excited about what Efra has, but I’m a little concerned about the Magnesium Stearate, corn, and talc in it. I’ve heard some not so good things about those ingredients. Hope someone can check them out a little more before we all hop on the band wagon. I did write them about it, will let you know what they say to me. Thanks Carri
Dawn said:
Aug 26, 09 at 12:21 pmI feel that we who are stuck self medicating under the NHS rules of not giving us NTH probably won’t be able to get hold of this? Even though it is produced in Europe (ironic eh?) we probably won’t be able to get it back in unless they market the drug to a decent pharmacy that supplies us without a script.
take care
Joy said:
Aug 26, 09 at 2:25 pmI have looked over the Erfa site and have read the FDA document that they require be filled out by your physician. The problem is that the FDA form requires that the doctor say he is doing a clinical study, and that he/she will share the results, etc. What doctor is going to sign that form?! I know mine wont! I wouldn’t even dare to ask, to be honest. I would be asking him to lie. I *desperately* want to try Erfa’s Thyroid, but wish there was another way to get it by prescription.
Henry said:
Aug 26, 09 at 2:27 pmI ordered 500 tablets last week. That should last a little while!
Dawn said:
Aug 26, 09 at 2:42 pmAlso Ms Shomon thinks there is something ‘going down’ that Medco knew about earlier and she either knows or feels that this may be the end of Natural Thyroid Hormones, what do you think Janie?
(From Janie: I think it’s negative speculation, Dawn, about the end of Natural Thyroid Hormones in the US.
On the other hand, I think each and very individual needs to shout to the world in their own way how desiccated thyroid has changed your life. Write the media; write to your political leaders; write to anyone influential. Send me your story for the Stories of Others page. IF, and I say IF her quite-negative speculation comes to pass, our first power lies in millions of voices about the efficacy of natural thyroid.)
Enrique said:
Aug 26, 09 at 11:14 pmI ordered some Thyroid last Tuesday and received it today. My doctor just faxed the prescription to the toll free number. Simple.
Heidi said:
Aug 27, 09 at 5:39 amFrom crossborderpharmacy.com:
RESULTS FOR THYROID 125MG TABLET
(THYROID) OR EQUIVALENT
Canada
ARMOUR THYROID 125MG TABLET
This drug is marketed under the name THYROID in Canada
500 TABLET(S) $64.59 Canada shipping Fee $9.95
All prices are listed in U.S. dollars
This was how I ordered it, so I don’t know how come the prices above are so expensive unless you are going through another pharmacy. Yes, you need your doctor to call or fax a prescription to them but that was it. It’s on it’s way!
Try these people it’s the same thing, Thyroid, made by ERFA. Just go to the website crossborderpharmacy.com and you’ll type in thyroid in the search box and it brings up the different strengths, the 125 mg being the best buy by far. It cost me total for a bottle of 500 $74.54 and that includes shipping and handling. Hope this helps!!!! Heidi
Jerry said:
Aug 27, 09 at 8:14 pmI’d like to personally thank “Kiwi,” for giving us all the information on crossborderpharmacy.com, where I was able to get my Thyroid meds. Without this post and her immediate concern in this matter, none of us would have our thyroid meds.
It’s rare when someone will help in this world, but this person was remarkable…
Many thanks !!!
christina said:
Aug 28, 09 at 2:12 pmthank you KIWI for the information!!! i was able to order my new Rx through Crosstheborder
Sheila Turner said:
Aug 28, 09 at 10:40 pmI am in correspondence with Dr Henri Knafo who has told me that he is in discussion with Idis World medicines (the organisation who source unlicensed drugs for use in the UK). He told me the few talks he has had with them so far about how they could acquire ‘Thyroid’ were not completed, but he says they will have a meeting to discuss what strategies he will put in place to help UK patients.
He promises to keep me updated and he is positive that he can find both a short and long term solution for all in the UK.
Vicki Jones said:
Aug 29, 09 at 12:49 amHas anybody been able to get this Canadian product into Australia successfully?
If so, can you please advise me the process to follow.
many thanks
Vicki
Darlene King said:
Aug 30, 09 at 3:20 pmI would like to know if anyone has received their Canadian thyroid meds? I have heard that they are not being allowed across the border. If that is the case then we would be wasting our money.
Enrique said:
Aug 30, 09 at 6:40 pmVicky and Darlene: Yes I got my order of Thyroid from Canada and it only took 1 week. They made it across the border somehow I guess.
Jerry said:
Aug 31, 09 at 12:19 pmYes, I have received my Thyroid ERFA from the Canadian pharmacy that “Kiwi” suggested to all of us. She seems to be the only one who knows the correct information. There are no issues with it being sent through the mail system and so far the meds are working famously. I suggest you email her and ask her any questions you may have. She’s extremely helpful.
Jamie said:
Aug 31, 09 at 3:33 pmWho is using the Erfa or Thyroid-S? What are your experiences so far, and how equivalent is it to your Nature-throid or Armour dosage?
Darlene King said:
Sep 01, 09 at 9:21 amJerry, Did you order it from Canada Pharmacy Online?
Janet B. said:
Sep 10, 09 at 8:54 pmJust FYI – Cross Border Pharmacy has doubled their prices since the above info. was posted.
Dianne said:
Sep 13, 09 at 10:28 amYes, they have definitely gone up! I ordered on Sept 8th and my doctor faxed the rx the same day. The price at that time was 70 something dollars for 500 60 mg tablets. I just noticed that I was billed $129 on my credit card.
I wrote down the actual price but I can’t find that paper now. Does anyone remember what the price was before it skyrocketed? I was thinking $72.94 or something like that. Any help would be appreciated because I am going to dispute this higher charge.
Makenzie said:
Sep 15, 09 at 1:52 pmDoes anyone know of a doctor in the US or Canada who does online (skype) consultations? I’m a patient of a doctor in Brooklyn, but have reduced to the point of tears by his his office staff (or, one person in particular).
Is it unreasonable of me to expect help from my MD’s ofice when dealing with something like a nationwide shortage? The only response I get when I call is that I called at the wrong time because she is having a really bad day. In the meantime, my symptoms are progressively going back to what they were before. It’s a shame too, because this doctor is a fantastic MD.
I’m not sure where to turn to get the Erfa meds since my own MD’s office told me to “take a number” and “call back when it’s less crazy”. It seems faxing a script is something they are unwilling to do, and I am at the mercy of this doctor’s staff.
What can I do? I can only think of getting a MD to do an online consult, but cannot find any natural thyroid MD’s who do so. If anyone knows of one, please let me know. I’ve started back to school full time thanks to Armour giving me back my life, and I may have to withdraw as my symptoms go back to before.
Thank you so much in advance.
Jen Q said:
Sep 17, 09 at 1:26 pmMakenzie,
Please try to make an appointment with the doctor as soon as possible. This way she see’s you face to face. Since you were already on Armour, tell her you want her to write a script for when it comes back in stock. Have her write on the prescription for “Dessicated Thyroid” not Armour. This way, you can get any brand of dessicated thyroid you want. If she won’t write one, please find another doc. If she does, your next step would be to find an online Canadian pharmacy that you feel comfortable with. Most allow you to scan in your prescription or mail it in. I used the scan in method. Go to pharmacychecker.com for a list of trustworthy pharmacy websites. Be careful because some are bogus. On the pharmacychecker.com site, type in Thyroid and the strength you take. The site will then come up with a list of pharmacies that have your dosage and the price they charge. Then you go to the site, create an account, and scan or mail the script. Most take 1-2 weeks for you to receive your meds. All you need is a doc to write a script for dessicated thyroid. This is not something most docs are willing to do on a phone consult. I feel your frustration, because I went through the same thing. Hope this info helps you get the medicine you need. Feel better
G. Beatty said:
Sep 21, 09 at 7:36 pmI have ordered Efra thyroid from the Canadian Pharmacy – it came today shipped from Vanuatu (South Pacific island).
This seemed risky ordering out of United States with the
Canadian supplier, but now it comes from a small island.
How could I ever trust this med – having other physical issues?
chris moore said:
Sep 22, 09 at 1:08 pmhttp://www.canadameds.com/order_your_medication_by_fax.html#option_a
You can get Canadian meds online without filling out that weird form for the FDA.
cmoore
Larry said:
Sep 22, 09 at 1:13 pmIf the thyroid came from Vanautu it is probably not of Canadian origin. Most likely it came from India. I’ve dealt with one Vanuatu pharmacy for the last ten years and have always gotten good product. India makes a quality thyroid powder so it is likely okay. You’ll know by the results.
Maude said:
Oct 02, 09 at 10:14 amI think Erfa wants you to fill out those forms so they can advertise themselves to drs here in the states so maybe they can get a foothold here. I have seen several people post now who are ordering online from canada without the FDA form and they have no problem, I think they are preying on our fears that “us people who buy drugs from canada will get into problems. total marketing ploy but thats just my opinion.
Hugo Chavez said:
Oct 12, 09 at 11:46 amI got Erfa from my local pharmacy in Germany ordering via an international pharmacy. After half year on Armour I was really devastated to hear the sad news what was going on with Armour. So I had to switch on synthetics t3/t4 what was even more devastating and anxiously awaiting my shipping from Canada. But even with an Armour prescription everything went fine and after two very strange synthetics weeks I had my shipment. I am still not sure whether dosage is Armour equivalent – at least it tastes like good old Armour. I had to pay 100€ for 500 1 grain which is a substantial mark up for shipment etc… However it is still cheaper than Armour and by now I think I will stick to it. It would be nice to know how others compare Erfa to Armour?
Greetings from Germany
Carolin said:
Oct 15, 09 at 1:08 pmI’m in Germany too and ordered Erfa thyroid from a pharmacy here. I originally wanted to try out 100 tablets but they only had bottles of 500, so I got 500 instead for 95€ (for 125mg tablets).
I only got started on them today; I’m not sure if 125mgs equal 2 grains of Armour exactly, as Armour was 120mgs? But I’ll treat it as if it was and see how it goes.
BTW, I was told there is a new law in Germany that says that you can only import products if Germany doesn’t have an equivalent…but as no German pharmaceutical company makes anything like Armour/Erfa/etc., this wasn’t a problem.
Deb Raterman said:
Oct 17, 09 at 6:38 ami have been taking the erfa 125 for about two weeks now. i wake up with headaches every day. i know it is not from any food or vitamins i take. today i found out that the erfa has corn in it- that’s a trigger for me. are there any other thyroid meds that don’t have corn or sugar in them?
(From Janie: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/armour-vs-other-brands )
Carol P. said:
Oct 17, 09 at 3:15 pmI ordered “Thyroid” online from Canada’s Univeraldrugs.com. It took about 2 weeks to get my meds in the mail. I have been taking it for only a few days and I am noticing symptoms: muscle aches, sleepiness, headache. I am interested to see how others do on these drugs. I also had a problem with the reformulated Armour; mostly sinus trouble and simply not feeling “well”. I will be very happy to see Nature-throid or Westhroid back on American shelves.
Carla said:
Oct 18, 09 at 9:21 amI ordered 2 bottles of 500 30mg ERFA Thyroid directly from ERFA Canada in late September. Within a couple of days I got a phone call and letter from the FDA that they had detained my package. After calling the FDA and telling them that I cannot get dessicated thyroid in U.S. they released the package after checking with headquarters. After severe hypothyroid symptoms while on Armour Thyroid for the past few months including memory loss, hair loss, dry skin, low body temperature, low heart rate, and extreme fatigue I was happy to be relieved of many of those symptoms within only a few days of being on ERFA Thyroid. For me, ERFA Thyroid works better than Armour ever worked, my morning temperature went up from 97 to 98 within one day, my energy came back within a couple of days, my extremely rough, dry skin became smoother within a week, I am no longer getting sleepy in the middle of the day, my hands are no longer cold and dry but are warm and moist, my heart rate is normal instead of going into the low 50’s and my menstrual cycle was regular for the first time in over a year. For those of you who became hypothyroid while on the reformulated Armour I highly recommend that you try ERFA Thyroid and see if it works for you. If it does get confiscated by the FDA you just need to call them and explain that you cannot get “dessicated thyroid” in the U.S. and they will agree to release your medication.
mair jones said:
Oct 21, 09 at 1:13 pmHi all,
My doc just wrote a script for erfa 60mg tabs for me which I faxed direct to erfa (Im in uk);but I am a little confused as to dosage.
I’m a 100kg woman with Hashi’s and partial thyroidectomy
(so no thyroid to speak of)
The old Armour 60mg was 38t4/9t3
Erfa 60mg is 100t4/25t3
Has anyone else switched from Armour to Erfa and got their dosage spot on yet?Or has anyone got info that could help me ? Much obligued.
Mair.
Kathy said:
Oct 22, 09 at 11:04 pmHi Mair,
I think the Erfa numbers are off.
Here is what Janie wrote is in the Erfa 60mg
“In each Erfa 60 mg tablet embossed “ECI 60”, there is 35 mcg. of T4 and 8 mcg. of T3;” vs. Armour 38T4/9T3.
This is the link: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/2009/09/02/erfas-canadian-thyroid-details/
lisa said:
Nov 03, 09 at 8:37 pmI started taking efra thyroid after not being able to get Armour, which I’ve been on for 15 years. I did not have a good reaction! It made my heart race, kept me awake and made me feel like I was jumping out of my skin! It almost felt like a panic attack! Not good!
I think the ratio must be off for me, or else the dose just doesn’t translate. I am considering taking a half (60 mg tablet) but am actually too nervous to try it since the feeling was just too awful. Any thoughts?
Mel D said:
Nov 18, 09 at 10:07 pmHello
Just reading your posts on ERFA Thyroid meds …. I’m in Australia and can’t get any more of the Armour or Nature thyroid I had been taking – I’m wondering is ERFA a porcine based pill too ? Where exactly can I order some ?
many thanks in advance
Mel xxx
Pinky said:
Nov 24, 09 at 6:10 amI’d like to offer another way of treating whilst this current fiasco is insitu. A few years ago i tried the original Somatomed by Vespro and was impressed but at the time did not know it was a nine month treatment then it’s a managemenmt dose after. It assists your own glandular system to release it’s own hormones,it supports liver function too,it was trialled in the nineties for chronic fatigue syndrome with favourable results. I tried with no ill effects and felt it worked,and it was suggested by a doctor! in 2002 and now aim to try it out for good properly,it also has the building blocks of amino acids,it is considered homeopathic/herbal,it has Mumiyo a Russian herb in it too. ALSO Gluten actually stops the Pituitary Gland from producing Growth hormone.
Ruth said:
Feb 02, 10 at 12:57 pmBought a 500 bottle of 60 mg Erfa thyroid tabs Sept ‘09, $100 total delivered cost to US, worked great. Having trouble re-ordering 500 bottle outside of Canada (Erfa deleted ordering). Erfa said perhaps could do 500s Special Order from inside Canada. Is FDA/Customs/US gov meddling somewhere in there, or Canadian hoarding?
Alexi said:
Feb 14, 10 at 6:36 pmHas anyone ordered Erfa Thyroid in 2010? I ordered one bottle of half grain which cost $18 and they charged me $31 to ship to the US!! I could not believe it…is this the norm?
(From Janie: Alexi, it’s too bad you didn’t define who they” is or was. Shipping rates and even the price of Erfa is different from place to place. http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/options-for-thyroid-treatment )