Is np thyroid the same as naturethroid. Nature Throid Availability in 2023: Alternatives and Updates for Thyroid Patients
Will Nature Throid be available in 2023. Why are Nature Throid and WP Thyroid unavailable. What is Thyroid USP and how does it relate to desiccated thyroid medications. How can patients manage their hypothyroidism without Nature Throid.
The Current Status of Nature Throid Production
As of 2023, Nature Throid is not in production. RLC Labs, the manufacturer, states 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 no definitive timeline for when Nature Throid might become available again.
In the meantime, RLC Labs has taken an alternative approach to serve patients who relied on their products. They are now selling the active pharmaceutical ingredient, Thyroid USP, which was used to produce Nature Throid and WP Thyroid. This development allows patients to obtain a compounded version of their medication using the same active ingredient that was in these RLC Labs branded medications.
Understanding the Nature Throid and WP Thyroid Recall
Nature Throid and WP Thyroid have been unavailable since 2021 due to a complete recall of all lots. This recall was voluntary and initiated by the manufacturer following FDA inspections. The inspections revealed wider than acceptable ranges in the actual strengths of the finished medications.
While some variability is expected in thyroid medications due to natural variations in thyroid hormone content, there are limits to what is considered acceptable. Typically, a batch can have a +/- 10% variance from the labeled strength. When medications fall outside this range, it becomes problematic as patients may receive significantly more or less than the expected dose.
Potential Risks of Inconsistent Thyroid Medication Dosing
- Return of hypothyroid symptoms
- Unexpected side effects
- Complications in newborn infants or pregnant women with hypothyroidism
- Potential for early miscarriage
- Risk of fetal hyperthyroidism
- Impairments to fetal neural and skeletal development
- Cardiac issues in elderly patients or those with underlying heart conditions
It’s important to note that at the time of the recall, RLC Labs had not received any reports of adverse events related to these issues.
Thyroid USP: The Common Thread in Natural Desiccated Thyroid Medications
Thyroid USP is the standardized form of thyroid extract used in various natural desiccated thyroid medications. The “USP” designation indicates that the drug meets the reference standard established by the United States Pharmacopeia.
Thyroid USP serves as the active ingredient in several well-known thyroid medications, including:
- Nature Throid
- WP Thyroid
- NP Thyroid
- Armour Thyroid
- Compounded thyroid formulations
The key difference between these medications lies in the excipients used by manufacturers to create the final product. RLC Labs, the company behind Nature Throid and WP Thyroid, now sells Thyroid USP directly, enabling compounding pharmacies to create customized thyroid medications for patients.
Dosage Considerations: From Grains to Milligrams
Historically, desiccated thyroid products have been measured in grains, a unit of measurement that dates back to when these products were first introduced. However, modern medical practice prefers the use of milligrams for more precise dosing.
How can patients convert their grain dosage to milligrams? 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 switching to a compounded form of natural desiccated thyroid, it’s crucial to use the milligram dosage for accuracy.
The Unique Properties of Desiccated Thyroid
Desiccated thyroid offers a comprehensive approach to thyroid hormone replacement. Unlike synthetic medications that typically contain only one form of thyroid hormone (T4), desiccated thyroid is derived from pig thyroid glands and contains multiple thyroid hormone forms.
Key Facts About Desiccated Thyroid:
- It has been used for over a century to treat hypothyroidism.
- The thyroid glands are dried and powdered for pharmaceutical use.
- It contains all forms of thyroid hormone, potentially offering a more complete treatment.
- Some patients report feeling better on desiccated thyroid compared to synthetic options.
Alternatives to Nature Throid: Navigating Treatment Options
With Nature Throid currently unavailable, patients and healthcare providers need to explore alternative treatment options. What are some viable alternatives for managing hypothyroidism?
1. Compounded Thyroid Medications
Compounded thyroid medications offer a personalized approach to thyroid hormone replacement. Using Thyroid USP as the active ingredient, compounding pharmacies can create custom formulations that closely match the composition of Nature Throid or WP Thyroid.
2. Other Natural Desiccated Thyroid Brands
Patients may consider switching to other available natural desiccated thyroid brands such as NP Thyroid or Armour Thyroid. These medications use the same active ingredient (Thyroid USP) but may have different fillers or excipients.
3. Synthetic Thyroid Hormones
Synthetic thyroid hormones like levothyroxine (T4) or a combination of T4 and T3 (such as Synthroid plus Cytomel) are widely used and well-studied options. Some patients may need to adjust to these medications, as they differ in composition from natural desiccated thyroid.
Managing the Transition: Tips for Patients
Transitioning from Nature Throid to a new thyroid medication requires careful monitoring and adjustment. How can patients ensure a smooth transition?
- Work closely with your healthcare provider to determine the best alternative medication.
- Be prepared for potential dosage adjustments as you switch medications.
- Monitor your symptoms closely and report any changes to your healthcare provider.
- Schedule regular blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels during the transition period.
- Consider keeping a symptom journal to track your progress and any side effects.
The Future of Natural Desiccated Thyroid Medications
The recall of Nature Throid and WP Thyroid has sparked discussions about the future of natural desiccated thyroid medications. Will these products make a comeback, or will the market shift towards other alternatives?
While RLC Labs continues to work with the FDA to bring their products back to market, the landscape of thyroid treatment is evolving. The availability of Thyroid USP for compounding offers a potential bridge for patients who prefer natural desiccated thyroid formulations.
As research in thyroid health progresses, we may see new innovations in thyroid hormone replacement therapy. These could include more precise formulations, improved delivery methods, or even personalized treatments based on individual patient profiles.
Potential Developments in Thyroid Treatment:
- Advanced manufacturing processes for more consistent natural desiccated thyroid products
- Novel synthetic combinations that more closely mimic the natural thyroid hormone profile
- Improved diagnostic tools for more accurate thyroid function assessment
- Personalized medicine approaches tailored to individual thyroid hormone needs
As we look towards the future of thyroid treatment, patients and healthcare providers must stay informed about new developments and options. The temporary unavailability of Nature Throid, while challenging for many patients, has also opened up discussions about thyroid treatment diversity and the importance of having multiple options available to suit individual patient needs.
Empowering Patients: Knowledge and Advocacy in Thyroid Care
The recall of Nature Throid underscores the importance of patient education and advocacy in thyroid care. How can patients take an active role in their thyroid health management?
- Stay informed about your medication options and any updates from manufacturers or regulatory bodies.
- Engage in open discussions with your healthcare provider about your treatment preferences and concerns.
- Join thyroid support groups or patient advocacy organizations to share experiences and stay updated on thyroid health news.
- Educate yourself about thyroid function and the various forms of thyroid hormone to better understand your treatment.
- Be proactive in monitoring your symptoms and advocating for adjustments to your treatment plan when needed.
By taking an active role in their thyroid care, patients can work more effectively with their healthcare providers to find the best treatment approach, whether that involves natural desiccated thyroid, synthetic hormones, or a combination of therapies.
The Role of Personalized Medicine in Thyroid Treatment
As the field of medicine advances, there’s a growing trend towards personalized treatment approaches. How might this impact thyroid care in the future?
Personalized medicine in thyroid treatment could involve tailoring hormone replacement therapy based on an individual’s genetic profile, lifestyle factors, and specific symptoms. This approach may lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects.
Potential Aspects of Personalized Thyroid Care:
- Genetic testing to identify factors that influence thyroid hormone metabolism
- Advanced imaging techniques for more precise thyroid gland assessment
- Customized combination therapies that address individual hormone imbalances
- Integration of lifestyle factors such as diet, stress management, and exercise into treatment plans
- Use of artificial intelligence to analyze complex data and predict optimal treatment strategies
As we move towards more personalized approaches in thyroid care, patients may find that their treatment options expand beyond the traditional choices of synthetic or natural desiccated thyroid hormones. This evolution in care could potentially lead to better outcomes and improved quality of life for individuals living with thyroid disorders.
Navigating Insurance and Cost Considerations
The unavailability of Nature Throid has not only impacted patient treatment options but also raised questions about insurance coverage and medication costs. How can patients manage these financial aspects of their thyroid care?
With some patients transitioning to compounded thyroid medications or alternative brands, insurance coverage may vary. It’s important for patients to understand their insurance policies and explore options for coverage or financial assistance.
Tips for Managing Thyroid Medication Costs:
- Check with your insurance provider about coverage for alternative thyroid medications or compounded formulations.
- Explore patient assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.
- Consider generic versions of synthetic thyroid hormones, which are often more affordable.
- Discuss cost concerns with your healthcare provider, who may be able to suggest more economical treatment options.
- Look into prescription discount programs or coupons that may help reduce out-of-pocket costs.
As the thyroid medication landscape continues to evolve, staying informed about cost-effective treatment options and advocating for appropriate insurance coverage will be crucial for many patients managing thyroid disorders.
The Importance of Ongoing Research in Thyroid Health
The challenges faced by patients due to the Nature Throid recall highlight the need for continued research and innovation in thyroid health. What areas of research could potentially improve thyroid care in the coming years?
Promising Areas of Thyroid Research:
- Development of more stable and consistent natural desiccated thyroid formulations
- Exploration of novel synthetic thyroid hormone combinations
- Investigation into the role of the gut microbiome in thyroid function
- Research on thyroid hormone receptor modulators for targeted treatment
- Studies on the impact of environmental factors on thyroid health
- Advancements in thyroid cancer detection and treatment
Ongoing research in these areas could lead to improved diagnostic tools, more effective treatments, and a better understanding of thyroid disorders. As new findings emerge, patients and healthcare providers may have access to an expanded range of options for managing thyroid health.
The thyroid health community, including patients, healthcare providers, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies, plays a crucial role in driving this research forward. By participating in clinical trials, sharing experiences, and supporting thyroid health organizations, individuals can contribute to advancements that may benefit thyroid patients worldwide.
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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