There are 3 strong reasons to look at all options right now for better thyroid treatment.
- Armour by Forest Labs was reformulated with a raise in cellulose in 2009. As a result, patients found it to outright suck, causing a return of hypo symptoms and stress on one’s adrenals. A partial solution is to pulverize/crush the tablet, which breaks down the cellulose and makes the des. thyroid more accessible.
- The same is true for Naturethroid – it was reformulated, and many patients report a return of symptoms on it. So pulverizing is your best option.
- If you tire of crushing your tablet, Erfa’s “Thyroid” in Canada is a wonderful product for most, as it resembles the old Armour, and can be done sublingually. The FDA is allowing US citizens to order it.
Here is a summary of ALL your options, with a repeat of some of the above, plus more .
1) CANADIAN PHARMACIES: patients are finding good luck with ordering the Canadian “Thyroid” made by Erfa from website pharmacies. It’s similar to the old Armour — i.e. you can do it sublingually. I, Janie, am using it along with Naturethroid. You will need your doctor’s prescription faxed to the site you choose. If one site is closed down, check others. Prices below may be different – let me know. They are in no particular order. See the January 20th blog post about favorite Canadian pharmacies.
- 77canadapharmacy.com As of 9 – 09, $81 for 300 tabs of 60 mg, plus a flat $14 express shipping fee. Patient states these people were wonderful. As of 11 – 09, $119.97 plus 10.99 for shipping for 300 tabs. of 60 mg “Armour”
- www.canadamedicineshop.com Shipping to US 9.95.
- universaldrugstore.com 60 mg — 100 pills (used to be $11; then $18 as of 12 – 09). As of Summer, 2010, 400 one grain tabs cost $71.75, not including shipping exchange rate cost. Use Promotion code 945 to get $5 off first order.
- canadadrugsonline.com 60 mg — 100 pills $45
- pharmacy-online.ca 60mg — 100 pills $22.64
- northwestpharmacy.com –60mg 100 pills $34.99
- doctorsolve.com/ — 60mg 100 pills $
- candrugstore.com/ 60 mg 100 pills $47
- discountrxmart.com/ 60mg 300 pills $49 (this one doesn’t say Erfa) but it’s that by the description.
- crossborderpharmacy.com (same as canadameds.com) 60 mg — 500 pills $62 (as of 9 – 15-09, this has gone up to $119 on canadameds.com. Ludicrous)
- www.valuepharmaceuticals.com
- You can order directly from the makers of Erfa with a prescription: http://thyroid.erfa.net
2) ARMOUR by Forest Labs and NATURETHROID by RLC: Both products were in short supply in 2009 and started returning in 2010. And both were reformulated and causing a return of symptoms. To make them work as well as possible, you may have to crush them with a mortar and pestle, or chew them up thoroughly.
3) COMPOUNDED DESICCATED THYROID: Any compounding pharmacy should have plenty of powder in stock, since their distributors do. Others will compound synthetic T3 and synthetic T4. Use this link to find a compounding pharmacy and you’ll need a prescription: http://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Compounding-Pharmacy BEWARE: Be sure to ask what you are actually getting in case it matters to you – some called the two synthetics “compounded Armour” when it isn’t. Also, many compounders are adding a slow release filler like methyl cellulose, and patients report bad results. A better alternative can be to ask for ascorbic acid powder (Vit. C) or acidolphilus rather than ANY cellulose. They don’t seem to get that cellulose mixed with desiccated thyroid is not good.
4) A GERMAN PHARMACY will supposedly send the medication abroad, prescription required and credit cards accepted. They source the thyroid from Europe and have no shortages. They will also compound any strength and combination you require. GERMANY’S THYREOGLAND from Munchen (Munich), Kloesterl Apoteke, Waltherstrasse, 80337 Muenchen. Phone: 089 54343211 (Let me know if my information is incorrect, please)
5) NUTRI-MEDS: available for several years, Nutri-Meds is an OTC desiccated thyroid product in both bovine and porcine. It’s far weaker so you’ll have to take a lot more. Tell you doctor you are using it to maintain the relationship. http://www.nutri-meds.com/
6) THYROID-S or “THIROYD”: These are two different brands of desiccated thyroid made in Thailand that many patients swear by. Google “thyroid-s Sriprasit” or “thiroyd greater pharma” to find sources. Information on ingredients here. Keep your doctor informed of your use.
7) SYNTHETIC T4 and SYNTHETIC T3: Yes, it will seem a bit nauseating for some to have to get a particular name brand of T4 that you can’t stand. But the combo will help you, and you’ll have to play with amounts to find the most optimal amount. You can even choose to be just on T3, but you’ll have to remember that you’ll have no T4, the storage hormone, to covert to T3 for you.
8 ) HEALTH FOOD STORE products: There are good over-the-counter products with raw thyroid you can check out. But as it true for Nutri-Meds, they are far weaker. Additionally, to raise these products high enough to get some relief of hypothyroid symptoms can result in you getting too much of added substances in these products. Check the labels.
Let me know of other options you have discovered and I’ll add them.
How to find a good doctor: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/how-to-find-a-good-doc
Ingredients in different thyroid brands: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/armour-vs-other-brands
Why desiccated thyroid is a better choice than T4: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/t4-only-meds-dont-work
Order your own labwork to show your doctor later: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/recommend-labwork