Dr. Mercola’s article posted on 9-19-09, www.mercola.com, explains why I haven’t been able to get my Armour Thyroid for the past month! I will include snipits of the article below, but anyone with a thyroid issue must read the information he posted and take action.
The title of the article is “Is the FDA Poised to Ban a Century-Old Natural Remedy?” The article starts out with this shocking news:
“Major Pharmaceuticals has put out a press release saying that they’ve been forced to shut down production of all natural desiccated thyroid drugs, a treatment for hypothyroidism that has been in use for over a century. Major received notice from the FDA that their complete line of desiccated thyroid drugs can no longer be manufactured, and that the FDA is pulling the designation that allowed them to sell these drugs.
Major is also saying that the FDA is requiring that all manufacturers that wish to continue manufacturing submit an NDA or ANDA (New Drug Application or Abbreviated New Drug Application) for approval. Desiccated thyroid drugs were in use in the early 1900’s, and already on the market when the government regulatory groups to oversee medications were formed, so they never went through the new drug application process.
Biotech, Time Cap Labs, and Major are no longer manufacturing natural desiccated thyroid drugs. RLC and Forest are now the last makers of natural desiccated thyroid drugs in the U.S., and their products are unavailable or in short supply in throughout the nation.”
Dr. Mercola cites the work of Mary Shomon, the www.about.com thyroid expert, crediting her as one of the leaders in the field. Shomon raises the warning flag about a very important issue for many people – the potential elimination of bioidentical hormones from the market.
Based upon Dr. Mercola’s endorsement of Shomon, I immediately ordered and can’t wait to read her new book, The Menopause Thyroid Solution: Overcome Menopause by Solving Your Hidden Thyroid Problems.
Ever since I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism this spring, I have been reading everything I can about the significance of the Adrenal Glands and Thyroid Gland on hormone balancing. From all I have studied, I totally agree with her title. Hormone balancing is much bigger and much more complex than simply looking at a woman’s estrogen and progesterone levels.
What is not commonly known by the medical establishment and public is that there is an epidemic of thyroid problems, the reasons for which I will explain in subsequent articles this week.
What is so alarming is that according to Shomon’s report, “the FDA has already shut down natural desiccated thyroid drug production and distribution by three firms:
- Biotech
- Major
- Time Cap Labs
Two other major manufacturers/distributors now have long-term backorders for their bioidentical hormone products, which include Armour, Nature-Throid, and Westroid.
Dr. Mercola explains: “The uncertainty about the future of natural thyroid drug options has led patients and practitioners to form a new coalition designed to help protect your right to choose, under the banner “Save Natural Thyroid.”
They’ve also formed a Save Natural Thyroid Facebook Group to strategize and help keep thyroid patients informed. If you or anyone you love uses bioidentical hormones, you may want to join this group to keep up on the latest updates.”
It was comforting to read that Dr. Mercola and Shomon have had strategic discussions on the next step to preserve this important resource.
I personally plan to research and join the two groups Dr. Mercola has informed us about. I encourage you to do all you can to help spread the word so that we as the public can lend support to stop this travesty from occurring.
I intend to focus on the topic of the adrenals and thyroid in my upcoming articles. Their impact on our hormonal health and balance is huge!
