Is np thyroid the same as naturethroid. Nature Throid 2023: Availability, Alternatives, and What You Need to Know
Will Nature Throid be available in 2023. Why are Nature Throid and WP Thyroid unavailable. What is Thyroid USP. How does desiccated thyroid differ from synthetic thyroid medications.
The Current Status of Nature Throid in 2023
As of 2023, Nature Throid remains unavailable in the market. RLC Labs, the manufacturer, has stated on their website that they are “continuing to work with the FDA to get our products back on the market as soon as possible.” However, there is currently no Nature Throid in production. This situation has left many patients seeking alternatives for their thyroid medication needs.
Can patients still access the active ingredient in Nature Throid? Yes, they can. RLC Labs is now selling the active pharmaceutical ingredient, Thyroid USP, which was used to produce Nature Throid and WP Thyroid. This means that patients have the option to obtain a compounded version of their medication using the same active ingredient that was present in these RLC Labs branded medications.
Understanding the Recall of Nature Throid and WP Thyroid
Nature Throid and WP Thyroid have been off the market since 2021 due to a comprehensive recall of all lots. This recall was initiated voluntarily by the manufacturer following FDA inspections that revealed wider than acceptable ranges in the actual strengths of the finished medications.
Why is consistency in thyroid medication strength so crucial? In thyroid medication production, there is an acceptable variability range of +/- 10% of the labeled strength. This allowance exists because the amount of thyroid hormones in a single gland can naturally vary. However, when the strength falls outside this range, it becomes problematic as patients may receive significantly more or less than the expected dose. Such inconsistency can lead to the return of hypothyroid symptoms or cause other side effects.
Potential Risks of Inconsistent Thyroid Medication Dosages
According to the FDA recall notice, patients being treated for hypothyroidism who receive sub-potent Nature-Throid® or WP Thyroid® may experience various signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism, including:
- Fatigue
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Puffy face
- Hair loss
- Slow heart rate
- Depression
- Swelling of the thyroid gland
- Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Are there any specific groups at higher risk? Yes, there are. The FDA notice highlights that there is a reasonable risk of serious injury in newborn infants or pregnant women with hypothyroidism. These risks can include early miscarriage, fetal hyperthyroidism, and/or impairments to fetal neural and skeletal development. Additionally, elderly patients and those with underlying cardiac disease 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 a key component in various natural desiccated thyroid medications. But what exactly does “USP” mean? When you see the letters “USP” after the name of a drug, it indicates that the drug meets a reference standard established by the United States Pharmacopeia. This standard ensures consistency and quality across different products.
Is Thyroid USP unique to Nature Throid? No, it’s not. In fact, 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.
Converting Grain Measurements to Milligrams
Historically, natural desiccated thyroid products were measured in grains, a unit of measurement that is not commonly used today. However, it’s still possible to convert grains to milligram equivalents, making it easier to get an accurate dosage when switching to a compounded form of the drug.
How can patients ensure they’re getting the correct dosage when switching to a compounded form? When sending a prescription to a compounding pharmacy for natural desiccated thyroid, it’s recommended to use the milligram dosage. RLC Labs provides a conversion chart on their website that shows the equivalent milligram dosage for each grain dosage, facilitating accurate prescription and dosing.
Desiccated Thyroid: A Time-Tested Alternative to Synthetic Thyroid Medications
While synthetic thyroid medications like levothyroxine (marketed under various brand names) are commonly prescribed for hypothyroidism, desiccated thyroid offers a different approach. But what exactly is desiccated thyroid?
Desiccated thyroid is 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 a long history, having been used for over a hundred years and serving as the first treatment for hypothyroidism.
The Multifaceted Nature of Desiccated Thyroid
Unlike synthetic medications that typically contain only one form of thyroid hormone (T4), desiccated thyroid contains all forms of thyroid hormone. This comprehensive hormone profile can be beneficial for some patients, as thyroid hormones affect multiple functions throughout the body.
Does this mean desiccated thyroid is superior to synthetic options? Not necessarily. The effectiveness of thyroid medication can vary from person to person. Some patients may find better symptom relief with desiccated thyroid, while others may do well on synthetic options. It’s crucial for patients to work closely with their healthcare providers to find the most effective treatment for their individual needs.
Navigating Thyroid Treatment Options in the Absence of Nature Throid
With Nature Throid unavailable, patients and healthcare providers need to explore alternative options. These may include other brands of desiccated thyroid, synthetic thyroid medications, or compounded thyroid formulations.
Compounded Thyroid Medications: A Personalized Approach
Compounded thyroid medications offer a unique solution for patients who need specific dosages or formulations not available in commercial products. These medications are prepared by pharmacists using Thyroid USP, the same active ingredient found in Nature Throid and other desiccated thyroid products.
How does the compounding process work? Compounding pharmacies can create customized thyroid medications tailored to individual patient needs. This may involve adjusting the dosage, removing allergens or fillers, or changing the form of the medication (e.g., from tablet to liquid). This personalized approach can be particularly beneficial for patients with specific sensitivities or those who require unique dosing regimens.
The Importance of Regular Monitoring in Thyroid Treatment
Regardless of the type of thyroid medication used, regular monitoring is crucial for effective treatment. This typically involves periodic blood tests to check thyroid hormone levels and adjust medication dosages as needed.
How often should thyroid levels be checked? The frequency of monitoring can vary depending on individual circumstances, but generally, thyroid function tests are performed every 6-12 months for stable patients. More frequent testing may be necessary when starting a new medication, adjusting dosages, or if symptoms persist.
Signs That Your Thyroid Medication May Need Adjustment
Even with regular monitoring, patients should be aware of signs that their thyroid medication may need adjustment. These can include:
- Persistent fatigue or low energy
- Unexpected weight changes
- Changes in mood or cognitive function
- Alterations in heart rate or blood pressure
- Changes in body temperature regulation
- Digestive issues
- Hair or skin changes
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider. They can assess whether your medication needs to be adjusted or if other factors might be contributing to your symptoms.
The Future of Nature Throid and Thyroid Treatment Options
As RLC Labs continues to work with the FDA to bring Nature Throid back to the market, the landscape of thyroid treatment continues to evolve. Research into thyroid function and treatment is ongoing, potentially leading to new medications or treatment approaches in the future.
What can patients do in the meantime? Patients who previously relied on Nature Throid should work closely with their healthcare providers to find the most suitable alternative. This may involve trying different medications or formulations to find the one that provides the best symptom relief and quality of life.
Staying Informed About Thyroid Health
Given the complexities of thyroid health and treatment, staying informed is crucial. Patients are encouraged to:
- Maintain open communication with their healthcare providers
- Stay up-to-date with reputable thyroid health resources
- Participate in patient support groups or forums
- Be aware of any changes in their symptoms or overall health
- Understand their medication, including its ingredients and proper usage
By staying informed and proactive, patients can play an active role in managing their thyroid health, even in the face of changing medication availability.
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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