
September 9, 2020
Important information about a voluntary recall on Natural Thyroids from PMCM
Hello Everyone,
You may be interested in the story on natural thyroid products, Naturethroid and WP Thyroid.
The company making these products has issued a “voluntary” recall on many of their products for “possible inconsistent content.” In 500 batches tested by the FDA, 6 batches were deemed to be “sub-potent.” Effective potency is at least 90% of that listed on the bottle, and the six batches were between 87-89%. So, there’s not a lot of difference here and from my perspective, that’s likely true for many medicines as well as herbal and nutritional supplements.
Let me just say that the idea of natural thyroid has had its challenges with the FDA, and I will let you consider what the reasons for that may be. We believe that the current Naturethroid and WP Thyroid, some that we have in our office is safe although we should all consider that it may be a tad “light’ on the amounts listed on the bottle.
Of course, this issue has everyone concerned, and that’s offices like ours, as well as pharmacies and patients, who are in a bit of a quandary. Still, people want their thyroid and not everyone wants to switch to synthetic thyroid, although that’s an option that would require a consultation with your practitioner. There are also a couple other natural thyroids (extracted from porcine or pig thyroid), which people like because they contain both active thyroid hormones, T4 Levothyroxine and T3 liothyronine. Those are still available as Armour Thyroid or NP Thyroid, made and sold by other companies that do not have “voluntary recalls.”
If you want us to provide with and thyroid that we have on our shelves, that is possible and we would ask you to sign a waiver that you understand what I have stated above and you are taking the responsibility for your choice.
Healthy regards,
Elson Haas, MD
Medical Director, PMCM