Update - Why is there a shortage of desiccated thyroid (e.g. Armour thyroid, Thyroid (dessicated), Nature-Throid, Westhroid, Thyrolar))

The tincture of time has not helped to resolve the shortage. In fact, since my last post, the shortage has worsened leaving patients with few options to manage diseases of low thyroid.

Reason for the Shortage

• Several thyroid (desiccated) products have been discontinued. The manufacturers would not provide a reason for the discontinuations; however these products are not FDA-approved. Forest states that the shortage of Armour Thyroid is due to a shortage of raw material. Major and RLC will not provide a reason for the shortage.

Estimated Resupply Dates

Major has all strengths on back order and the company cannot estimate a release date.

Forest has available Armour Thyroid 240 mg and 300 mg tablets. All other strengths are on back order and the company cannot estimate a release date.

RLC has all presentations of Nature-Throid on back order and the company estimates a release date of early-December, 2009.

RLC also has all presentations of Westhroid on back order and the company estimates a release date of early-December, 2009.

Products in short supply

Thyroid (desiccated) 120 mg tablets, Major - discontinued
Thyroid (desiccated) 30 mg tablets, Major
Thyroid (desiccated) 30 mg tablets, Major
Thyroid (desiccated) 60 mg tablets, Major
Thyroid (desiccated) 60 mg tablets, Major
Thyroid (desiccated) 120 mg tablets, Major
Thyroid (desiccated) 180 mg tablets, Major

Armour Thyroid 15 mg tablets, Forest
Armour Thyroid 30 mg tablets, Forest
Armour Thyroid 30 mg tablets, unit dose, Forest
Armour Thyroid 30 mg tablets, Forest
Armour Thyroid 60 mg tablets, Forest
Armour Thyroid 60 mg tablets, unit dose, Forest
Armour Thyroid 60 mg tablets, Forest
Armour Thyroid 90 mg tablets, Forest
Armour Thyroid 120 mg tablets, Forest
Armour Thyroid 120 mg tablets, unit dose,Forest
Armour Thyroid 120 mg tablets, Forest
Armour Thyroid 180 mg tablets, Forest
Armour Thyroid 180 mg tablets, Forest

Nature-Throid NT-1/4 16.25 mg (1/4 grain) tablets, RLC
Nature-Throid NT-1/2 32.4 mg (1/2 grain) tablets, RLC
Nature-Throid NT-1 64.8 mg (1 grain) tablets, RLC
Nature-Throid NT-2 129.6 mg (2 grain) tablets, RLC
Nature-Throid NT-3 194.4 mg (3 grain) tablets, RLC

Westhroid 32.5 mg (1/2 grain) tablets, RLC
Westhroid 32.5 mg (1/2 grain) tablets, RLC
Westhroid 65 mg (1 grain) tablets, RLC
Westhroid 65 mg (1 grain) tablets, RLC
Westhroid 130 mg (2 grain) tablets, RLC
Westhroid 130 mg (2 grain) tablets, RLC

Thyrolar tablets, Forest Laboratories - all strengths
12.5/3.1, 25/6.25, 50/12.5, 100/25, 150/37.5

Discontinued Products

Thyroid (desiccated) capsules (Bio-Tech Pharm) - discontinued
Thyroid (desiccated) tablets (Qualitest) - discontinued
Thyroid (desiccated) tablets (Time-Cap) - discontinued