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The "New Look" of Nature-Throid
Has anyone gotten any of the newly produced Nature-Throid Pills that are so slowly trickling back into the smaller pharmacies? Well, one of the rural pharmacies that I use here in North Texas got two (100 count) bottles of 1 grain tablets drop-shiped in from their supplier. I had 1 refill left on my account there, so they called me. They delivered the meds to my house and when I looked at the pills, I noticed some differences. The new tablets are scored for easier dividing (probably a good idea since they will only be making 1 grain for a while). Also, the old pills had ( NT1) on them. The new ones have N/1 with the dividing line under the N, and RLC on the back of the tablet. Seems legit, but I just wantd to run it by the forum, just incase anyone else had noticed the changes. Thanks!
It's okay froggy- no hard feelings and your points are very valid and make perfect since. As far as where to go next if we can't get good desiccated here in U.S.A. after these forced reformulations of the few choices we had left? I guess it's to Canadian Thyroid we will go. If they (FDA) close the borders for prescriptions (and this will probably be next as Lazy Moose predicts as well as my pharmacist), we can always take our yearly vacation there. I've been to Banfe twice and loved it! I'll just bring a script with me from my doctor or we'll visit one in Canada if we have to. There is also compounded desiccated medication. My pharmacist knows my daughter and I well and I know he would do all he could to help us figure this out. He works closly with my doctor as he refered us to her. Even though I have enough of the original Nature-Throid to get us to November, I will have to change my daughter's medication this summer due to us needing to figure all this out when she is not in school. I know it will be hard on her to adjust to a different medication and takes time to recover from the onset of hypo. symptoms that I'm sure she will incure with any changes we make. It's just such a shame as she has been doing so good over these last 8 months on Nature-Throid. I'd like to think that their new reformulated product will also be fine, however I'm doubtful. Please keep me posted on how any of you who are taking the newly reformulated Nature-Throid are doing as time goes by, symptomatically and blood wise. I'm also curious to see if the dossage will need to be raised to get the same effects/ symptom relief as what I heard that many people discovered with the new reformulated Armour. Please keep me informed here as I will be forced to make some hard choices in the the upcoming summer months. Thanks to everyone here for your help and support and for listening! You are all the BEST!
As far as dessicated being hard to get, this site and thyroidabout help in that area. Many people ordered ERFA throid (Armour copy) from Canada during the shortage, once again, not hassle free if your doctor is not willing to work with you. We have to find it ourselves, the doctors offices are usually no help in this area.
Not many doctors are willing to prescribe dessicated thryroid, and leave many patients with symptoms saying there is nothing else they can do but give them T4. Some will not even prescribe T3 Cytomel. Many are just trained in one type of med and are 'brainwashed' by the pharma reps ect. Like many things its about $ not treating patients.
Was on T4 (tried 3 brands) for 10 years - it didnt work for me. Wish it did. Learned about other options on my own - like others I had no choice.
Dessicated is cheap its $18-25 a month cash price. My insurance did cover the Armour brand, but the ins price was higher than no insurance. What a rip!
Magpieannies last line - exactly.
Not many doctors are willing to prescribe dessicated thryroid, and leave many patients with symptoms saying there is nothing else they can do but give them T4. Some will not even prescribe T3 Cytomel. Many are just trained in one type of med and are 'brainwashed' by the pharma reps ect. Like many things its about $ not treating patients.
Was on T4 (tried 3 brands) for 10 years - it didnt work for me. Wish it did. Learned about other options on my own - like others I had no choice.
Dessicated is cheap its $18-25 a month cash price. My insurance did cover the Armour brand, but the ins price was higher than no insurance. What a rip!
Magpieannies last line - exactly.
From reading your post and story about your daughter...thank god that things have turned around for her.
Is there a reason why the endo did not try the desiccated med sooner??? So, if a person is on "synthroid" for a long time and the symptoms either stay the same or get worse, that is a reason a switch to dessiccated????
Is there a reason why the endo did not try the desiccated med sooner??? So, if a person is on "synthroid" for a long time and the symptoms either stay the same or get worse, that is a reason a switch to dessiccated????
I'm so sorry your daughter has had such of a struggle..(you as well). I'm not saying one med is better than the other. I'm saying what are people to do if they would need dessicated meds and simply can't get them? Being there's a shortage, or depending on your insurance, or where you live, etc. What's a person to do?? It was easier having kidney cancer than having to deal with all this thyroid stuff! I wish we all were well!
Well said LazyMoose!
Froggy, 8 years on Synthroid only here, with lots of hypothyroid symptoms ( low metabolic, low body temp.,constipation and blood in stools, weight gain, blood sugar issues with severe hunger, moodiness, forgetfulness, fatigue, muscle pain, exercise intolerance, and heart issues (PVC's). The heart issues were the last straw and more then we could bare! No Thank you!!!! All this was because my daughter, who was so blessed to be born without this vitally important endocrin gland, was kept thyroid hormonally imbalanced for many years! Her t4 was always high in the range as she was on a t4 only drug. However her t3 (the active thyroid hormone that the cells must have was always very low (conversion issue). You see, if the body does not have enough t3 to function (brain, organs, cellular, metabolicly, etc... then there WILL be problems.) If we could make the readily available, once a day (much easier) synthetic t4 med., convert in her body to enough t3, then we'd still be on it.! However, and for what ever reason, (maybe it's because she has no gland at all, and part of the conversion process happens there?) or (maybe its due to intestinal issues or toxins in the liver which does most of her converting) I have no idea! What I do know is that my daughter has been much improved over the last year on prescription desiccated thyroid hormone! It has plenty of t3 in it so her body is not so burdened with the conversion process, it also has t4(storage hormone) that can convert some to the active hormone, t3 as she needs it, it also has t2 which is also important! It also has t1- who knows here, but it has some sort of purpose? And calcitonan and selinium! Yes, it is at different ratios then what a human thyroid would make, however the components are the same. My daughter has a metabolism now, no heart palps. (PVC's) no constipation, normal body temp., not as hungry, weight gain is stopping, muscle and joint pain gone, emotionally even, fatigue is gone and she has the energy to run and play. This has saved her life as she was headed down a one way street to a sad life and an early grave on her prior treatment! Now that we have found her answer to living with this affliction, it would be nice if the FDA, (big pharma) and it's manufacturers would quit _ _ _ _ _ _ _ with it so we can all stay well!!!!!!
Froggy, 8 years on Synthroid only here, with lots of hypothyroid symptoms ( low metabolic, low body temp.,constipation and blood in stools, weight gain, blood sugar issues with severe hunger, moodiness, forgetfulness, fatigue, muscle pain, exercise intolerance, and heart issues (PVC's). The heart issues were the last straw and more then we could bare! No Thank you!!!! All this was because my daughter, who was so blessed to be born without this vitally important endocrin gland, was kept thyroid hormonally imbalanced for many years! Her t4 was always high in the range as she was on a t4 only drug. However her t3 (the active thyroid hormone that the cells must have was always very low (conversion issue). You see, if the body does not have enough t3 to function (brain, organs, cellular, metabolicly, etc... then there WILL be problems.) If we could make the readily available, once a day (much easier) synthetic t4 med., convert in her body to enough t3, then we'd still be on it.! However, and for what ever reason, (maybe it's because she has no gland at all, and part of the conversion process happens there?) or (maybe its due to intestinal issues or toxins in the liver which does most of her converting) I have no idea! What I do know is that my daughter has been much improved over the last year on prescription desiccated thyroid hormone! It has plenty of t3 in it so her body is not so burdened with the conversion process, it also has t4(storage hormone) that can convert some to the active hormone, t3 as she needs it, it also has t2 which is also important! It also has t1- who knows here, but it has some sort of purpose? And calcitonan and selinium! Yes, it is at different ratios then what a human thyroid would make, however the components are the same. My daughter has a metabolism now, no heart palps. (PVC's) no constipation, normal body temp., not as hungry, weight gain is stopping, muscle and joint pain gone, emotionally even, fatigue is gone and she has the energy to run and play. This has saved her life as she was headed down a one way street to a sad life and an early grave on her prior treatment! Now that we have found her answer to living with this affliction, it would be nice if the FDA, (big pharma) and it's manufacturers would quit _ _ _ _ _ _ _ with it so we can all stay well!!!!!!
I'm sorry if I offended you or anyone else! I know that I am new to this. I know that Synthroid, etc doesn't work for everyone...I guess my point was, what are all these people to do that need the other natural drugs but just can't get them?? And when a person reads STTM it is so pushing for natural med and totally against levo, etc, that a person who doesn't know any better and is sick and scared already will be insistant to dr that they need natural med, when it's not an option for some of us or is very hard to get.
This thread is meaningful to those that need dessicated. Your new, and dont know all this. So let me give you some true facts and a nuetral opinion. A neutral opinion is the only correct opinion on the whole med thing.
People that may seem to have a biased opinion about meds are thinking of what works for them. Thats human nature. If anyone assumes there treatment is what is need for everyone, then they are wrong. Period.
Synthetics work for the many, but not all, fact. Through all your reading I'm sure you have read about that by now. We have used T4 synthetics with continuing symptoms. And many do great with synthetic T3 cytomel added. Some cannot tolerate cytomel - it is faster acting that T3 in Natural and for some the result is chronic headaches that didnt go away. Lastly those have used natural with better results. Notice, I didn't say natural meds were not a hassle to deal with? But its still what some need.
That said, natural dessicated used to be easier to get. For the last 9 months there was a dessicated material shortage. So many people were switching brands of dessicated since synthetic does not work for them - no choice in the matter. And why companies diced to change fillers - I dont know, most likely to speed up and simplify production while lowering cost.
Fact is, in the late 90's there was a supply problem for Synthroid too. And one time FDA interfered because of inconstancy.
So all meds can have there problems like any other manufactured goods. The patients suffer from this.
As with most things, demand is the deciding factor in stores stocking anything, as well as availability.
As far as people judging certain meds, they have no validity unless they actually need it themselves.
Thyroid is more complicated for some people than others. Understand that some thyroid disorders are diseases, the worst are cancerous, and some are just conditions. So when I see someone who only has a hypo thyroid condition, not disease and does great on synthroid, I know they dont have a slightest CLUE how lucky they are.
It would be great T4 med worked for all, it doesn't though. The honest truth from someone who knows about it firsthand.
The real dream, would be more options than available now. For one med to work for all is impossible, as there are two main thyroid hormones, not one.
People that may seem to have a biased opinion about meds are thinking of what works for them. Thats human nature. If anyone assumes there treatment is what is need for everyone, then they are wrong. Period.
Synthetics work for the many, but not all, fact. Through all your reading I'm sure you have read about that by now. We have used T4 synthetics with continuing symptoms. And many do great with synthetic T3 cytomel added. Some cannot tolerate cytomel - it is faster acting that T3 in Natural and for some the result is chronic headaches that didnt go away. Lastly those have used natural with better results. Notice, I didn't say natural meds were not a hassle to deal with? But its still what some need.
That said, natural dessicated used to be easier to get. For the last 9 months there was a dessicated material shortage. So many people were switching brands of dessicated since synthetic does not work for them - no choice in the matter. And why companies diced to change fillers - I dont know, most likely to speed up and simplify production while lowering cost.
Fact is, in the late 90's there was a supply problem for Synthroid too. And one time FDA interfered because of inconstancy.
So all meds can have there problems like any other manufactured goods. The patients suffer from this.
As with most things, demand is the deciding factor in stores stocking anything, as well as availability.
As far as people judging certain meds, they have no validity unless they actually need it themselves.
Thyroid is more complicated for some people than others. Understand that some thyroid disorders are diseases, the worst are cancerous, and some are just conditions. So when I see someone who only has a hypo thyroid condition, not disease and does great on synthroid, I know they dont have a slightest CLUE how lucky they are.
It would be great T4 med worked for all, it doesn't though. The honest truth from someone who knows about it firsthand.
The real dream, would be more options than available now. For one med to work for all is impossible, as there are two main thyroid hormones, not one.
I could be crazy here...but why would anyone use these meds instead of synthroid, etc.???? I was going to order the STTM book, but I don't want to hear how synthetic drugs don't work, etc. That's way to big of a blanket statement! Seems like the book just pushes for armour, etc. I'm very new to this...but what's the reason so few pharmacies carry the "natural med" and it's nearly impossible to get? I know the old "kickback from drug companies, etc as I have many friends who are pharmaceutical drug reps...but from things I've read...the "so-called natural med" isn't all it's cracked up to be!
That would be the "old " NT. The new has RLC on the back of the tablet with NT/1 on the front(with the line under scoring the NT). I have never noticed any type of inserts in or on any of the bottles or lids that I have gotten (old or new) So I also think that is a mute point!
Both bottles were purchased in mid December. The bottle I'm currently using says ND1 on the pills and they are identical in shape and color to TCL pills. So I assume this is old NT. The other bottle I used up, none to look at. Can we be sure of a specific date of when the new NT was released?
The info sheet was glued to the cap like STTM says they did on new NT - that is not correct info they stated then. As far as where the info sheet was included on sealed NT bottles is clearly irrelevant.
The info sheet was glued to the cap like STTM says they did on new NT - that is not correct info they stated then. As far as where the info sheet was included on sealed NT bottles is clearly irrelevant.
Ok, this is interesting. I thought when I first visually compared a NT pill to and old TCL they looked different. The pills from the bottle I am now using looks like a TCL pill in shape and color, but stamped different. Still, the info sheet was glued to the bottle cap.
Switching from TCL to NT has not been easy, might just be me. On my second bottle now of the NT brand and needed to change dose. After a solid 2 months (should have leveled) I went a little hyper for reasons unknown. On the other hand who is to say for sure that the powder from one manufacture always comes from the same supply of pork in the world during a shortage. 'Global' pigs are not all the same, they eat differently.
Switching from TCL to NT has not been easy, might just be me. On my second bottle now of the NT brand and needed to change dose. After a solid 2 months (should have leveled) I went a little hyper for reasons unknown. On the other hand who is to say for sure that the powder from one manufacture always comes from the same supply of pork in the world during a shortage. 'Global' pigs are not all the same, they eat differently.
"Time Caps Labs (TCL) used to make Nature Throid for RLC Labs"-
Thats an interesting statement as my NT 1 grain from december does not in any way resemble my left over Time Caps Labs 1 grain. Or at least the machinery was not the same - these two brands are a little different shape and visual size.
Just remember rumored information can have its flaws. Example : One of my Nature Throid bottles of 100 (pills say NT1) from December came from an older bottle that was factory sealed, BUT the folded up information sheet was glued to the top, not inside like this article says it was. Granted, the above info has nothing to do with the pills ingredients, but the information in not correct, so not all the other details are necessarily correct either.
Given that the US NDT market is now in NT's hands, I doubt they would blow it by making a product that didn't perform as expected.
How NT would change ingredients without FDA approval even though they are grandfathered is a mystery. Armour was grandfathered too, I thought - but FDA did not care.
Thats an interesting statement as my NT 1 grain from december does not in any way resemble my left over Time Caps Labs 1 grain. Or at least the machinery was not the same - these two brands are a little different shape and visual size.
Just remember rumored information can have its flaws. Example : One of my Nature Throid bottles of 100 (pills say NT1) from December came from an older bottle that was factory sealed, BUT the folded up information sheet was glued to the top, not inside like this article says it was. Granted, the above info has nothing to do with the pills ingredients, but the information in not correct, so not all the other details are necessarily correct either.
Given that the US NDT market is now in NT's hands, I doubt they would blow it by making a product that didn't perform as expected.
How NT would change ingredients without FDA approval even though they are grandfathered is a mystery. Armour was grandfathered too, I thought - but FDA did not care.
All I keep thinking of is that "lightening doesn't stike the same place twice!" Well in this situation it certainly has! I just pray that the newly reformulated Nature-Throid will not fail us as the newly reformulated Armour did. The only peace of mind that I have here is that at least my daughter does not have to be the guinea pig here as I have enough of the original N.T. to get us through Thanksgiving. By then, we will certainly know how others are doing on the new stuff. If I hear a bunch of bad reports, then there is no way I will put her through that ever again. I learned my lesson well with the "new" Armour!!!! Fool me once, shame on you-----fool me twice, shame on me! If it is causing any issues for people as the new Armour did, then it will be straight to Canadian Erfa thyroid we go! What is wrong with AMERICA????? (on second thought, don't answer that!)
a granfathered FDA approval.. that's why. OK - I spoke to a woman on the whole shortage deal at RLC and yes, now more answers need to come.
All I can say honestly is until explanation comes - I can't give any more info. I have heard good thing regardless on the NT - so that's a plus - community wise..
I guess stay tuned.. calling RLC again - is on my list for today and hopefully more will be said.
All I can say honestly is until explanation comes - I can't give any more info. I have heard good thing regardless on the NT - so that's a plus - community wise..
I guess stay tuned.. calling RLC again - is on my list for today and hopefully more will be said.
It has to be the FDA. But why change something that has helped so many? I guess it all comes down to Money and not HEALTH?
I can't believe it!!! Why in the world would they too do such a thing? There are no coincidences here. First Forest with Armour, now RLC with Naturethroid. The FDA must be forcing them to change their products or else no NDA approval. What else could it be???? What do you think?
As the one grain tabs of Naturethroid desiccated thyroid by RLC Labs are hitting pharmacy shelves again all across the nation here and there after the recent shortages and the sad reformulation of Armour, and patients are starting to use the new Naturethroid, we are gathering some good information, both anecdotal and factual:
The typical smell of desiccated porcine is less intense with the new tablets. We have no idea why.
The tablets are now stamped with RLC on one side, and N over 1 on the other, whereas before you’d see just NT1 or a reference to the fact that Time Caps Labs (TCL) used to make Naturethroid for RLC Labs
The package insert is no longer inside the bottle but stuck on top of the cap
Lot number info used to be on the edge of the label running vertically, whereas now, it runs along the bottom of the label under the ingredients.
One grain is still 65 mg, with the T3 content being at 9 mcg and the T4 content being at 38 mcg. The T2, T1 and calcitonin still unmeasured.
There are filler/inactive ingredients which have changed:
Calcium filler has moved up from 16 mg to 17 mg (calcium binds thyroid, but you just take more. Don’t swallow it with milk, please.)
The old contained Magnesium, Potassium, and Sodium (each at less than 1 mg), whereas in the new, potassium is now removed
And here’s the best part: the old NT had Hydropropyl Methylcellulose–that’s the larger size cellulose structure which we know binds some of the thyroid hormones. Now, the new NT has Microcrystaline Cellulose, the smaller size. (Too bad we can’t see all cellulose removed!)
Below are the new NT fillers, which are identical to the old except for the cellulose change:
Carnaba Wax, Colloidal Silicon Dioxide, Dicalcium Phosphate, Hypromellose, Lactose Monohydrate, Magnesium Stearate, Microcrystaline Cellulose, Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)-400, Sodium Starch Glycolate, Stearic Acid.
Most all the above comes courtesy of Stephanie Buist, owner of the Iodine group on Yahoo and thyroid and adrenal patient and advocate. Thank you, Steph! You can read about the fillers here by scrolling down.
Oh and by the way, the new tablets are now scored. A helpful addition!
In patient groups, we are seeing a variety of experiences with the new Naturethroid. Most folks seem happy with it so far, and even some report it seems a tad stronger than the old (the cellulose change may have caused that). Occasionally, someone will report problems, but they appear to be from underdosing or a potential RT3 problem which has arisen and needs treatment with T3-only. Changing brands can also bring different reactions, so you have to wiggle the dosage around sometimes to find your sweet spot once again.
All in all, it looks good.
P.S. If you are reading this via the Newsletter Notification, just click on the above link to put yourself right on the actual blog post if you want to comment. Let’s gather all our experiences with the new Naturethroid.
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The typical smell of desiccated porcine is less intense with the new tablets. We have no idea why.
The tablets are now stamped with RLC on one side, and N over 1 on the other, whereas before you’d see just NT1 or a reference to the fact that Time Caps Labs (TCL) used to make Naturethroid for RLC Labs
The package insert is no longer inside the bottle but stuck on top of the cap
Lot number info used to be on the edge of the label running vertically, whereas now, it runs along the bottom of the label under the ingredients.
One grain is still 65 mg, with the T3 content being at 9 mcg and the T4 content being at 38 mcg. The T2, T1 and calcitonin still unmeasured.
There are filler/inactive ingredients which have changed:
Calcium filler has moved up from 16 mg to 17 mg (calcium binds thyroid, but you just take more. Don’t swallow it with milk, please.)
The old contained Magnesium, Potassium, and Sodium (each at less than 1 mg), whereas in the new, potassium is now removed
And here’s the best part: the old NT had Hydropropyl Methylcellulose–that’s the larger size cellulose structure which we know binds some of the thyroid hormones. Now, the new NT has Microcrystaline Cellulose, the smaller size. (Too bad we can’t see all cellulose removed!)
Below are the new NT fillers, which are identical to the old except for the cellulose change:
Carnaba Wax, Colloidal Silicon Dioxide, Dicalcium Phosphate, Hypromellose, Lactose Monohydrate, Magnesium Stearate, Microcrystaline Cellulose, Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)-400, Sodium Starch Glycolate, Stearic Acid.
Most all the above comes courtesy of Stephanie Buist, owner of the Iodine group on Yahoo and thyroid and adrenal patient and advocate. Thank you, Steph! You can read about the fillers here by scrolling down.
Oh and by the way, the new tablets are now scored. A helpful addition!
In patient groups, we are seeing a variety of experiences with the new Naturethroid. Most folks seem happy with it so far, and even some report it seems a tad stronger than the old (the cellulose change may have caused that). Occasionally, someone will report problems, but they appear to be from underdosing or a potential RT3 problem which has arisen and needs treatment with T3-only. Changing brands can also bring different reactions, so you have to wiggle the dosage around sometimes to find your sweet spot once again.
All in all, it looks good.
P.S. If you are reading this via the Newsletter Notification, just click on the above link to put yourself right on the actual blog post if you want to comment. Let’s gather all our experiences with the new Naturethroid.
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