SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) A medication thousands rely on is suddenly in short supply. Armour Thyroid has been used to treat hypo-thyroidism, and is the drug of choice for many because it includes both T-3 and T-4 hormones. But right now the drug manufacturer, Forest Laboratories is apologizing for a supply interruption.
Local pharmacist, Dean Jolley says he is receiving calls from concerned customers. “There’s definitely a shortage of the product. It’s been over several months and I guess it’s being allocated and supplied as fast as they can get the ingredients and make it and supply it.”
Patients like Cecilia Salvesen take thyroid medication to feel alive and to live. She lost her thyroid to another medical condition. “It is basically the battery of your body. I am totally reliant on that pill, that one pill a day, and if it comes to an end through whatever means then I come to an end.” She says her pharmacist gave her the discouraging news last time she went in for a re-fill. “I was told it could be three months to six months there is no definite date given.”
Jolley says the thyroid gland normally produces the hormones now missing in Salvesen’s body. They regulate metabolism, help burn fat, increase cognitive thinking, and control the health of skin and hair. He says patients who used to get those benefits from Armour Thyroid are now scrambling to find alternatives.
There are alternatives to Armour Thyroid, which is derived from pig thyroid. Jolley says “There’s a company that makes Westhroid, as well as Nature-throid, they are exactly the same at this point, but they are also unavailable because of the supply and demand issue.” There is also another variety of thyroid medication that is available, but Jolley says it’s formulated differently; the hormones are created chemically, and include only the T-4 hormone. He says it is effective for most people, but some experience side effects because of resistance to some of its components. “Some people don’t convert well and they might have antibodies that block things.”
For some, the solution might be old fashioned medicine. Jolley recommends finding a reliable and experienced compounding pharmacy. So far, his pharmacy has been able to get all of the raw materials needed to create the medication found in Armour Thyroid. “We mix it up following the recipe and formulas and double check it to make sure we have got it and its very precise micrograms.” They have also been able to get Armour in a stronger dosage and break it apart. “We can crush up the larger strengths of Armour Thyroid which sometimes is available, and then recapsulate it to get a pretty close product like a half grain from a five grain capsule.”
Jolley says if you are having difficulty finding your medication check with your doctor and find out which option is best for you.
