Is np thyroid the same as naturethroid. Nature Throid Availability in 2023: Exploring Alternatives and Understanding the Recall
Will Nature Throid be available in 2023. What led to the recall of Nature Throid and WP Thyroid. How does Thyroid USP differ from branded thyroid medications. Why do some patients prefer desiccated thyroid over synthetic options.
The Current Status of Nature Throid Production
Nature Throid, a popular desiccated thyroid medication, has been unavailable since 2021. RLC Labs, the manufacturer, is currently working with the FDA to reintroduce their products to the market. However, as of 2023, there is no Nature Throid in production. Instead, RLC Labs is now selling the active pharmaceutical ingredient, Thyroid USP, which was used to produce Nature Throid and WP Thyroid.
This development means that patients can now obtain a compounded version of their medication using the same active ingredient found in the original RLC Labs branded medications. This alternative may provide a similar treatment option for those who previously relied on Nature Throid or WP Thyroid.
Understanding the Nature Throid and WP Thyroid Recall
The unavailability of Nature Throid and WP Thyroid stems from a voluntary recall initiated by the manufacturer in 2021. This recall was prompted by FDA inspections that revealed inconsistencies in the actual strengths of the finished medications, exceeding the acceptable range of variability.
While some variability is expected due to natural variations in thyroid hormone content within glands, the FDA allows for a +/- 10% range from the labeled strength. When medications fall outside this range, it becomes problematic as patients may receive significantly more or less than the intended dose, potentially leading to the return of hypothyroid symptoms or other side effects.
Potential Risks Associated with Sub-potent Thyroid Medications
- Fatigue
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Puffy face
- Hair loss
- Slow heart rate
- Depression
- Thyroid gland swelling
- Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
For certain vulnerable populations, the risks can be even more severe. Newborn infants and pregnant women with hypothyroidism may face serious complications, including early miscarriage, fetal hyperthyroidism, and impairments to fetal neural and skeletal development. Elderly patients and those with underlying cardiac conditions may experience toxic cardiac manifestations of hyperthyroidism, such as cardiac pain, palpitations, or cardiac arrhythmia.
Thyroid USP: The Common Thread in Natural Desiccated Thyroid Medications
Thyroid USP is the active ingredient found in various natural desiccated thyroid medications, including Nature Throid, WP Thyroid, NP Thyroid, Armour Thyroid, and compounded thyroid formulations. The “USP” designation indicates that the drug meets the reference standard established by the United States Pharmacopeia.
Can patients switch to other thyroid medications containing Thyroid USP? Yes, patients can potentially switch to other formulations containing Thyroid USP, as it is the same active ingredient used in Nature Throid and WP Thyroid. However, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to thyroid medication regimens.
Converting Grain Measurements to Milligrams
Traditionally, desiccated thyroid products were measured in grains, a unit of measurement that is less commonly used today. However, it’s possible to convert grain measurements to milligram equivalents for more accurate dosing when switching to compounded formulations.
RLC Labs provides a conversion chart on their website (https://getrealthyroid.com/conversion-guide.html) that shows the milligram equivalent for each grain dosage. When requesting a prescription for compounded natural desiccated thyroid from a pharmacy, it’s advisable to use the milligram dosage for improved accuracy.
Desiccated Thyroid vs. Synthetic Thyroid Medications
While synthetic thyroid medications like levothyroxine (marketed under various brand names) are commonly prescribed for hypothyroidism, some patients and healthcare providers prefer desiccated thyroid options. What makes desiccated thyroid different from synthetic alternatives?
- Source: Desiccated thyroid is derived from the thyroid glands of pigs, which are dried and processed into a powder for pharmaceutical use.
- Historical use: This form of thyroid medication has been in use for over a century and was the first treatment developed for hypothyroidism.
- Hormone content: Unlike synthetic options that typically contain only one form of thyroid hormone (T4), desiccated thyroid contains multiple forms of thyroid hormone that interact with each other and affect various bodily functions.
Why do some patients prefer desiccated thyroid over synthetic options? Some individuals report feeling better on desiccated thyroid preparations, citing improved symptom relief and overall well-being. The presence of multiple thyroid hormone forms in desiccated thyroid may more closely mimic the natural thyroid function in some patients.
Navigating Thyroid Medication Options in the Absence of Nature Throid
With Nature Throid currently unavailable, patients and healthcare providers may need to explore alternative options. What are some potential alternatives for those who previously relied on Nature Throid?
- Compounded thyroid medications using Thyroid USP
- Other branded desiccated thyroid products (e.g., NP Thyroid, Armour Thyroid)
- Synthetic thyroid hormone medications (e.g., levothyroxine, liothyronine)
- Combination therapy using synthetic T4 and T3 hormones
How should patients approach switching thyroid medications? It’s crucial to work closely with a healthcare provider when considering any changes to thyroid medication regimens. Factors such as individual health status, thyroid hormone levels, and personal response to different formulations should be carefully evaluated to determine the most appropriate alternative.
The Importance of Consistent Thyroid Hormone Dosing
The recall of Nature Throid and WP Thyroid underscores the critical importance of consistent and accurate thyroid hormone dosing. Why is precise dosing so crucial in thyroid hormone replacement therapy?
Thyroid hormones play a vital role in regulating numerous bodily functions, including metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, and cognitive function. Even small fluctuations in thyroid hormone levels can have significant impacts on a patient’s well-being and overall health.
Potential Consequences of Inconsistent Thyroid Hormone Dosing
- Recurrence of hypothyroid symptoms
- Development of hyperthyroid symptoms
- Increased risk of cardiovascular complications
- Impaired cognitive function
- Mood disturbances
- Disruptions to metabolism and weight management
- Bone density changes
- Menstrual irregularities in women
How can patients ensure they receive consistent thyroid hormone dosing? Regular monitoring of thyroid hormone levels through blood tests, open communication with healthcare providers about any changes in symptoms or well-being, and strict adherence to prescribed medication regimens are essential for maintaining optimal thyroid function.
The Future of Natural Desiccated Thyroid Medications
As RLC Labs continues to work with the FDA to reintroduce Nature Throid and WP Thyroid to the market, the landscape of natural desiccated thyroid medications may evolve. What potential developments might we see in the future of thyroid hormone replacement therapy?
- Improved quality control measures in the production of desiccated thyroid medications
- Development of new formulations or delivery methods for thyroid hormones
- Advancements in personalized medicine approaches to thyroid hormone replacement
- Increased research into the benefits and drawbacks of different thyroid hormone preparations
- Enhanced regulatory oversight to ensure consistent potency and safety of thyroid medications
How might these developments impact patients with hypothyroidism? As our understanding of thyroid function and hormone replacement continues to grow, patients may benefit from more tailored treatment options, improved medication consistency, and potentially better overall management of their thyroid conditions.
Navigating Thyroid Health in a Changing Medication Landscape
The unavailability of Nature Throid and the broader recall of certain desiccated thyroid products have created challenges for many patients with hypothyroidism. However, this situation also presents an opportunity for patients and healthcare providers to reassess treatment strategies and explore alternative options that may be equally effective or even better suited to individual needs.
Key Considerations for Thyroid Patients
- Open communication with healthcare providers about symptoms and treatment efficacy
- Regular monitoring of thyroid hormone levels through appropriate testing
- Willingness to explore alternative thyroid hormone replacement options if necessary
- Awareness of the importance of consistent medication dosing and adherence
- Staying informed about developments in thyroid medication options and research
How can patients take a proactive role in managing their thyroid health? By staying informed, maintaining open lines of communication with healthcare providers, and being willing to adapt to changes in medication availability or personal health needs, patients can play an active role in optimizing their thyroid health and overall well-being.
As the thyroid medication landscape continues to evolve, patients and healthcare providers must remain flexible and informed. While the unavailability of Nature Throid may present temporary challenges, it also opens doors to exploring alternative treatment options that may prove equally effective or even superior for some individuals. By working closely with healthcare providers and staying attuned to their bodies’ responses, patients can navigate these changes and maintain optimal thyroid health.
Nature Throid 2023 – Will Nature Throid be Available in 2023?
Will Nature Throid be available in 2023? According to the RLC Labs website, “RLC Labs is continuing to work with the FDA to get our products back on the market as soon as possible.” However as of right now, there is no Nature Throid in production. The manufacturer is now selling the active pharmaceutical ingredient, Thyroid USP, which they used to produce Nature Throid and WP Thyroid. That means that patients can get a compounded version of their medication using the same active ingredient that was in these RLC Labs branded medications.
Why are Nature Throid and WP Thyroid Unavailable?
Nature Throid and WP Thyroid have been unavailable since 2021 when there was a complete recall of all lots. This recall was voluntary and initiated by the manufacturer. The recall came after FDA inspections found wider than acceptable ranges in the actual strengths of the finished medications. There is certain variability that is acceptable since the amount of thyroid hormones in a single gland can vary. When a batch is made, there can be +/- 10% of the labeled strength. However once you start getting outside of this range, it is considered unacceptable as the patient may be getting significantly more or less than the expected dose. Inconsistency in dosing can lead to hypothyroid symptoms returning or other side effects.
According to the FDA recall notice (https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rlc-labs-inc-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-all-lots-nature-throidr-and-wp-thyroidr-current)
Patients being treated for hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), who receive sub potent Nature-Throid® or WP Thyroid®, may experience signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) which may include, fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, dry skin, puffy face, hair loss, slow heart rate, depression, swelling of the thyroid gland and/or unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight. There is reasonable risk of serious injury in newborn infants or pregnant women with hypothyroidism including early miscarriage, fetal hyperthyroidism, and/or impairments to fetal neural and skeletal development.
In elderly patients and patients with underlying cardiac disease toxic cardiac manifestations of hyperthyroidism may occur, such as cardiac pain, palpitations or cardiac arrhythmia. RLC Labs, Inc. has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.
Nature-Throid® and WP Thyroid® (thyroid tablets, USP) is composed of liothyronine and levothyroxine, and are used to treat hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). The products subject to recall are packaged in 30, 60, 90, 100 and 1,000 count bottles.
What is Thyroid USP?
When you see the letters “USP” after the name of a drug it means that the drug meets a reference standard established by the United States Pharmacopeia. Nature Throid, WP Thyroid, NP Thyroid, Armour Thyroid, and compounded thyroid all use the same active ingredient – Thyroid USP. There is nothing proprietary about this ingredient. Manufacturers simply change the excipients used to make the medication. Our pharmacy purchases Thyroid USP directly from RLC Labs – the manufacturer of Nature Throid and WP Thyroid when they were available.
Nature Throid and WP Thyroid came in specific dosages that were measured in grains. The grain unit of measurement is not really used anymore but is still used to measure desiccated thyroid products as it was when the products were first made available. However it is still possible to convert grains to a milligram equivalent. This makes it easier to get an accurate dosage when switching to a compounded form of the drug. If you look at the conversion chart on the RLC Labs website here: https://getrealthyroid.com/conversion-guide.html you can see that each grain dosage has an equivalent milligram dosage. When you are sending a prescription to a compounding pharmacy for natural desiccated thyroid, you should use the milligram dosage.
Desiccated Thyroid
There are several synthetic medications on the market for treating hypothyroidism. The typical synthetic medication that is prescribed is levothyroxine (marketed as Synthroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid, Tirosint, and other names).
This medication is only one form of the thyroid hormone – T4. There are actually multiple forms of thyroid hormone that affect each other and multiple functions throughout the body.
Desiccated thyroid is actually derived from the thyroid glands of pigs which are dried and turned into a powder that can be used as a pharmaceutical ingredient. This form of thyroid medication has been used for over a hundred years and was the first treatment for hypothyroidism. Desiccated thyroid contains all forms of thyroid hormone including T1, T2, T3, T4, and thyroid co-factors. Patients who report that their hypothyroid symptoms improve more with the use of desiccated thyroid may be improving due to the combination of T4 and T3 with other thyroid co-factors.
These are some key features of Nature Throid according to RLC Labs:
- T4 & T3 replacement hormones derived from natural desiccated porcine thyroid
- Naturally occurring thyroid cofactors T1, T2, calcitonin and iodine (in trace amounts)
- Always gluten-free
- Contains NO artificial colors or flavors
- Contains NO soy, yeast, egg, fish or shellfish, corn, peanut, or rice
Source: https://www.
naturethroid.com/
These benefits are the same for compounded thyroid made in a dosage to match Nature Throid or WP Thyroid. The main brands of desiccated thyroid are Amour Thyroid, NP Thyroid, Nature Throid, and WP Thyroid. Most of these have experience recalls or shortages at some point. Usually the reason for the recall is regarding consistency in dosing. A compounding pharmacy can provide desiccated thyroid capsules that do not experience the same kind of recalls as brand-name medications.
Desiccated thyroid was “grandfathered” by the FDA into an approved status, which means it did not go through the traditional FDA approval process. However that does not mean it is not regulated at all or that it can be purchased without a prescription. A prescription is required for all forms of desiccated thyroid including when it is made by a compounding pharmacy. The FDA regulates the production of thyroid to ensure its production meets certain high standards of quality, cleanliness, and consistency.
The FDA also regulates compounding pharmacies in general to ensure they meet high quality standards.
Why Do Patients Use Desiccated Thyroid?
As mentioned previously, desiccated thyroid contains all forms of thyroid hormone and co-factors. Synthetic thyroid usually only contains T4. Patients may start their hypothyroid treatment by using levothyroxine and find that they are still experiencing symptoms. For some of these patients, dose adjustments do not work and they look for alternatives. Desiccated thyroid helps some patients who have symptoms that do not improve with synthetic thyroid medication.
One theory is that patients who do better on desiccated thyroid do not effectively convert T4 to T3. T3 is the active form of the thyroid hormone. Taking NDT leads to higher circulating levels of T3 than when taking levothyroxine. The higher T3 levels lead to an improvement in symptoms for patients who have difficulty converting the inactive to the active form of the hormone.
Regardless of what is actually happening with thyroid hormone conversion, patients take NDT simply because it works for them. There are various ways of telling whether a thyroid treatment is working but the best indicator is how the patient feels. Are the symptoms of hypothyroidism being relieved? If the answer is no then there may be medication adjustments, lifestyle changes, or other treatments needed.
Nature Throid and WP Thyroid Availability in 2023
Will Nature Throid be available in 2023? It is hard to say right now but a good guess is that it will not be available at least at the beginning of the year. All lots are currently not in production per the RLC Labs website and there is no indication that the company is going to restart production anytime soon. Until it does become available, RLC Labs is selling Thyroid USP to compounding pharmacies like National Pharmacy so patients can continue their treatment.
Looking to send a prescription for compounded NDT capsules? Contact us here.
Articles
Desiccated thyroid extract compared with levothyroxine in the treatment of hypothyroidism: a randomized, double-blind, crossover study – The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Nature-Throid vs NP Thyroid Comparison
Nature-Throid vs NP Thyroid Comparison – Drugs.com
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Nature-Throid may also be used for purposes not listed in this comparison guide.
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NP Thyroid may also be used for purposes not listed in this comparison guide.
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