Action Kit: Natural Thyroid Meds May Be At Risk. Here’s What You Can Do.

I wanted to make my Thyroid Pharmacist community aware of a concerning development regarding thyroid medications.

On August 6th, 2025, the Food and Drug Administration issued letters to manufacturers of animal-derived thyroid products (such as Armour and NP Thyroid), often called natural desiccated thyroid (NDT), informing them of the agency’s intent to take enforcement action against prescription animal-derived thyroid medications.

These medications are often life-changing options for those who do not experience benefits with synthetic thyroid medications. They have been around since before the FDA was established and were allowed to be on pharmacy shelves as prescription medications without official FDA approval – until now.

The FDA has granted a 12-month transitional period intended to help patients safely switch to “approved” synthetic alternatives, such as levothyroxine and liothyronine.

I understand the FDA’s goal: to bring all medications, even those that predate the agency, into modern compliance with today’s manufacturing, safety, and labeling standards.

That’s a good thing in theory – it ensures consistent quality, accurate dosing, and rigorous safety testing. The problem is the timeline. The FDA approval process can take years, and the current 12-month enforcement window simply isn’t enough time for manufacturers to go through all the steps required for formal approval.

Here’s what we know:

• Three companies that currently make NDT are already in the process of seeking FDA approval. The problem? This approval process can take years, and neither company will have an FDA-approved NDT ready in the next 12 months.

• Additionally, compounding pharmacies will no longer be able to prepare NDT formulations because of a new “biologics” designation given to animal-derived thyroid products by the FDA. This classification means the medication is now regulated under a much stricter framework intended for products made from living organisms, such as vaccines, blood products, and antibodies, and can only be produced and sold with an FDA-approved Biologics License Application (BLA). Pharmacies are not eligible for BLAs – only large manufacturers can obtain them.

• The FDA is recommending that patients work with their prescribers to switch to synthetic T4 (and potentially synthetic T3). But many of us know from personal experience that synthetic medications alone don’t work for everyone – and for some, NDT is the only therapy that truly restores their quality of life.

Last week I shared on Instagram that the FDA was planning to remove natural desiccated thyroid medications like Armour and NP Thyroid from the market and that we needed to take action and speak out to ensure that this didn’t happen!

I need to be honest here – I regret not acting sooner. Back in 2022, when the FDA first determined that animal-derived compounded meds were “biologics,” I was invited to join a call to discuss the matter and to see if we could ask the FDA to reverse this decision.

After all, most drugs that are classified as biologics are new, bio-engineered injectable products like gene therapies, vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies.

It didn’t make sense that old-school oral medications would get the same classification. I assumed others had it under control. I offered to help circulate a petition if one was created, but I never received one, and I never followed up.

I didn’t act, and now this classification will prevent compounding pharmacists from making natural desiccated thyroid medications and could potentially lead to years where natural desiccated thyroid is unavailable in the United States.

This time, I want to make sure we do everything in our power to keep NDT medications accessible to the patients who need them.

I’ve been sharing about this on Instagram for the past week, along with other thyroid colleagues and patient advocates. A few of us have been working behind the scenes to ask the FDA for one reasonable, life-saving step: Extend the timeline for removing “unapproved” NDT from the market until two FDA-approved versions of NDT are available. 

The good news is that I think our efforts are working. On August 13th, the FDA had put out a statement confirming that they are committed to pursuing FDA approval for desiccated thyroid extract, pending the results of clinical trials. Dr. Marty Makary, the FDA commissioner, also stated that the FDA will ensure access to all Americans. We are hoping to get more clarity on this!

NDT has been used for more than 120 years – long before the FDA was even founded. There is no reason patients should be denied access to medications that are working for them while we wait for FDA-approved versions to become available.

I truly believe this is an achievable request, but only if we raise our voices. If just 1% of the estimated 4 million people currently taking NDT in the United States (that’s about 40,000 of us) speak up, I believe the FDA will listen and grant an extension.

This would allow us to continue using “grandfathered” NDT until the FDA-approved versions are ready. But if not enough of us speak out, these lifesaving meds may be removed from the market after 12 months.

Here’s how you can help:

I’ve put together an Action Kit with clear steps you can take to make your voice heard – including who to contact, what to say, and how to share this message with others in our community.

Call to Action Kit: How You Can Help Save Natural-Dessicated Thyroid Medications

You can help protect access to these treatments by taking a few simple actions. Below is a step-by-step kit to guide you in making your voice heard.

1. Most Impactful: Write Your Senators and FDA Officials

• Action: Write a personal letter to your Senators and key FDA officials expressing your concern about the FDA’s proposed actions and the impact on your health.
• Why: Your elected officials need to hear from you directly. They represent your interests and can help raise this issue in legislative discussions.
• How to Write: Keep your message personal, concise, and respectful. Explain how animal-derived thyroid medications have improved your health and why they are necessary.
• Tip: You can find contact information for Senators on the official Senate website, and for FDA officials on the FDA’s website.
• You can use https://democracy.io to send those emails.
• You can also call your local Reps and Senators.
• Visit https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member and type your address into the search box. A list of your representatives and their contact information will appear! Or, you can call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected to your member’s office.

Sample Email Template:

Subject: Urgent Request to Protect Access to Animal-Derived Thyroid Medications

Dear [Senator’s Name],

I am writing to express my concern about the FDA’s actions to regulate animal-derived thyroid medications. As a patient who relies on these medications, I have seen a significant improvement in my health when synthetic options have not worked. [Can add own experience here]. These treatments are vital to my well-being, and I believe their removal would have a detrimental effect on many individuals.

I urge you to advocate for the preservation of access to these life-changing medications while FDA approved options are being pursued. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Contact Information]

Other ways to help…

2. Make Social Media Posts & Tag the FDA

• Action: Share your personal story on social media and tag the FDA (@FDA), and use the hashtags #SaveThyroidMeds, #ThyroidAwareness, #ProtectThyroidMedications #savethyroidmeds #saveNDT
• Why: Social media is a powerful tool to spread awareness quickly. The more people hear your story, the more likely this issue will gain the attention it deserves.
• How to Share: You can create an Instagram video, post, or Story that shares your experience with animal-derived thyroid medications, and why they are important to you. If you tag me @izabellawentzpharmd, I will share it to my audience to help amplify your message.
• Sample Post: “I’ve been using natural thyroid medications for [time period], and they have made a world of difference for my health. Let’s make our voices heard and protect access to these essential treatments! #ThyroidAwareness #ProtectThyroidMedications #savethyroidmeds #saveNDT @FDA”

3. Share Your Story on Instagram Stories

• Action: Share your experience using Instagram Stories and tag the FDA @FDA.
• Why: Instagram Stories are a fast way to raise awareness, and tagging the FDA directly can help get the attention of the agency.
• How to Share: You can share a personal video or text-based Story with a quick explanation of how these medications have impacted your life. Don’t forget to use the hashtags mentioned above!
• Tip: Keep it short and engaging. People respond well to authentic, real stories.

4. Post to Facebook, X, TikTok & Other Social Platforms

• Action: Post on your social media feed about how animal-derived thyroid medications have helped you.
• Why: Social media allows you to reach a wide audience and spark conversation about the issue.
• How to Share: Post a thoughtful message or video and ask your friends and family to share it with their networks.
• Sample Post: “Animal-derived thyroid medications have been a lifeline for me. Please join me in raising awareness and sharing our stories. #SaveAnimalThyroidMedications #saveNDT #savethyroidmeds”

5. Engage with the Media

• Action: Write a letter to the editor or engage with local media outlets about this issue.
• Why: Media coverage can amplify the issue to a broader audience, potentially bringing it to the attention of policymakers.
• How to Write: Keep your letter brief and compelling, explaining the personal impact of animal-derived thyroid medications and why their availability should be protected.

6. Encourage Others to Participate

• Action: Encourage your friends, family, and followers to take action and share this information with their networks.
• Why: The more people who speak up, the more impact we can have on this issue.
• How to Share: Forward this Call to Action Kit, tag others in your posts, and ask them to join the cause.

If you only have a little time… Sign & Share Petitions That Focus on Saving NDT

• Action: Sign petitions on Change.org (or similar platforms) that are advocating for the continued availability of animal-derived thyroid medications.
• Why: Petitions show a united front and demonstrate that this issue matters to many people. You can also create your own petition if one doesn’t already exist.
• How to Share: Share the petition link on your social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) and encourage your friends, family, and followers to sign as well.
• Sample Post: “Please take a moment to sign this petition to protect access to animal-derived thyroid medications that are essential for many of us. [Add link – see below] Let’s raise our voices to keep these treatments available! #ThyroidAwareness #savendt”
• Here are two petitions created by my colleagues that are getting the most traction. I initially planned on starting my own petition, but for now I feel having one petition with multiple signatures will allow for more impact than multiple petitions with fewer signatures 🙂
  • From Dr. Amy Myers, MD: https://chng.it/xr5BMcxPZq
  • From Dr. Brittany Henderson, MD: https://chng.it/5z6dy6BgBS

Your voice matters! Every post, every letter, and every shared story contributes to raising awareness about the importance of animal-derived thyroid medications. Together, we can protect access to these life-changing treatments for those who need them.

If you haven’t already, please join my Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube communities, where I will be keeping everyone updated about other action items, petitions, and progress.

P.S. You can also download a free Thyroid Diet Guide, 10 thyroid-friendly recipes, and the Nutrient Depletions and Digestion chapter of my first book for free, by signing up for my weekly newsletter. You will also receive occasional updates about pressing issues such as this, new research, resources, giveaways, and helpful information.