Originally posted September 11, 2009
For years I've suffered from low thyroid function, a condition that causes fatigue, mood problems, weight concerns and many other unpleasant symptoms. Luckily, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Stephen Langer, author of Solved: The Riddle of Illness, now a classic text on thyroid health. Many years ago Dr. Langer put me on Armour Thyroid, a natural thyroid medication made from desiccated porcine thyroid gland. Finally, I felt like a person again.
Everything was great until this summer, when I began to hear rumors of a shortage of Armour Thyroid. The rumors turned out to be true and now, not only is Armour Thyroid almost impossible to get, but other natural thyroid alternatives like Naturthroid and Westhroid are in short supply as well.
What's behind the shortage? It's a complex issue, to be sure, but most of us in the patient community have come to believe the situation is due to overt governmental interference designed to protect the interests of Big Pharma.
The most widely prescribed thyroid medication in the U.S. is Synthroid, manufactured by Abbott Laboratories. Of course, Abbott and makers of other synthetic thyroid medicines want to protect their market. But the fact is, these drugs simply don't work for many patients.
The important difference between natural thyroid and the synthetics is that natural thyroid preparations contain both T3 and T4 (along with all the other naturally occurring hormones), while the synthetics only provide a laboratory created version of T4. Those who don't respond well to synthetics overwhelmingly find relief with natural thyroid medicines that provide the full spectrum of thyroid hormones.
Luckily, my friend and Swanson Advisory Board member Jack Slama, a local pharmacist here, has been stockpiling various forms of natural Thyroid USP ever since he received word of the shortage. He now has supplies available in three potencies - 1/4 grain, 1/2 grain and 2 grain - and he'll ship anywhere in America as long as supplies last.
If you or someone you love uses natural thyroid like Armour, Naturthroid or Westhroid, call Jack today to reserve your supply (800.323.3873).
To learn more about the shortage, visit http://thyroid.about.com. To join the community of concerned patients working to save natural thyroid alternatives, visit www.savenaturalthyroid.com.
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