About Thyroid Disease

Nature-Throid Natural Desiccated Thyroid: A Status Report

2009-11-23T17:22:06Z

I spoke with Dai Jinn, Chief Pharmacist at RLC Laboraboraties, today to get an update on the status of their natural desiccated thyroid drugs, Nature-Throid and Westhroid. Like their competitor Armour Thyroid, both drugs have been on long-term backorder in recent months.

According to Dai, they have been working through some issues with raw material supply and testing, and next week they expect to begin shipping a partial supply of 1 grain Nature-Throid (and a smaller amount of 1 grain Westhroid*). They will be ramping up production, so that they can ship greater quantities into mid-December, but expect to be caught up with backorders -- and out of the backorder situation -- on all dosage sizes of Nature-Throid and Westhroid by Read more...

Nature-Throid Natural Desiccated Thyroid: A Status Report originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 17:22:06.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

When Will Forest Laboratories Get Armour Thyroid Back on the Market?

2009-11-23T17:13:32Z

As usual, inquiries to the folks at Forest Laboratories -- a company that is notoriously unwilling to share information with media, patients and practitioners about the status of their thyroid drugs-- are fruitless. My request for an update about the status of their Armour Thyroid brand of natural desiccated thyroid medication resulted in the usual: a brush-off to "see the statement on the website."

So, what does the website say? At the ArmourThyroid.com website, their latest update claims that "Forest has produced and shipped a limited supply of 1 grain, also known as 60 mg. We understand that this limited distribution will not meet the current anticipated demand for the product, and we continue to work diligently to meet demand. Although Forest is addressing the backlog of Armour Thyroid as quickly as possible, we are not prepared at this time to give a definitive date by which the product will be fully restocked..."

What Forest has not mentioned in their statement, or addressed anywhere, is Read more...

When Will Forest Laboratories Get Armour Thyroid Back on the Market? originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 17:13:32.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Forest Laboratories: Still Stonewalling Thyroid Patients About Thyrolar

2009-11-23T16:55:33Z

Forest Laboratories is the manufacturer of the thyroid drug Thyrolar, which is the brand name for liotrix, a synthetic T4/T3 combination thyroid hormone replacement drug.

Thyrolar has been on the market for several decades, but is currently unavailable, after several years of erratic availability. Forest has not been forthcoming regarding the status of this drug, and, according to the statement on their website, they continue to maintain that "U.S. Pharmacopeia, an official public standards--setting authority for all prescription and over--the--counter medicines and other health care products manufactured or sold in the United States, has mandated new specifications for a component used in the manufacturing of Thyrolar. As a result, all strengths of Thyrolar are currently on long-term back order while Forest makes the modifications necessary to meet these new specifications."

This didn't make sense when they announced it back earlier this year (see Why is Forest Pharmaceuticals Lying About Thyroid Drug Thyrolar? And What Else Are They Hiding?) and it still doesn't make sense. Nor has Forest been willing to address the questions and issues, despite direct inquiries.

The truth is, Read more...

Forest Laboratories: Still Stonewalling Thyroid Patients About Thyrolar originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 16:55:33.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Thyroid Disease in the News: Web, Blogs and More

2009-11-19T10:28:40Z

Here are some of the notable and recent thyroid-related stories, blog posts and articles of interest.

One thyroid cancer patient's experience makes it clear that getting radioactive iodine treatment through a feeding tube is not a good idea.

Three cheers to cardiologist Dr. William Davis, who writes the following in a blog post titled T3: The forgotten thyroid hormone at MyHeartCentral.com:

This is a contentious issue among thyroid experts: Some say that T4-to-T3 conversion can be impaired and that T3 supplementation is necessary to fully correct thyroid status. Others argue that T3 is unnecessary. There are studies supporting both sides of the argument, with some studies showing improved mood and energy with T3 added to T4, while others fail to show any improvement.
My experience has been most consistent with the first side of the argument: When someone responds "No" to my question about whether they feel normal, I will ask them to consider adding T3 thyroid hormone to their T4. (This is done by either adding a T3 preparation, liothyronine or Cytomel, or by switching to combination preparations like Armour thyroid or Naturethroid.) With rare exceptions, within a week they feel energized, mood improves, excess weight starts to drop

Thyroid cancer survivor and author Kairol Rosenthal talks about how her thyroid cancer has muddled her mind, in her guest column at the New York Times' "Well" Blog. Says Rosenthal:

The cognitive side effects of my cancer, however, make me feel old before my time and have tanked my self-esteem....I've turned to my doctors for validation. But, like dozens of thyroid cancer patients I've spoken with about memory loss, my doctors do not acknowledge my symptoms, much less explain the causes.

Lisa Knobel, writing a guest column in the Summit Daily News titled "Health care: A cautionary tale" wonders whether thyroid care in a nationalized U.S. health care system might look like the worsening thyroid situation for UK patients under the National Health Service.

About Mary Shomon | Thyroid Forum | Twitter | Facebook

_{Image: istockphoto.com}

Thyroid Disease in the News: Web, Blogs and More originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 10:28:40.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Link Found Between Thyroid Cancer and NY Area Residents' Proximity to Indian Point Nuclear Plant

2009-11-18T17:09:09Z

My first three years of life I lived in Peekskill, New York, and I grew up in Westchester County, right outside of New York City. It's always surprised me how many of my friends and neighbors from the "old neighborhoods" have thyroid cancer and other thyroid problems. I always suspected that there was something in the air or water back in the 60s and 70s that was damaging to our thyroid glands, but we haven't seen any studies or specifics that explained the situation...until now.

An article just published in the International Journal of Health Services has found that thyroid cancer rates in the four counties surrounding the Indian Point nuclear power plant, which is located in Buchanan, New York (south of Peekskill, and 24 miles north of New York City) - Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester -- are the highest in New York State. The thyroid cancer rates in those four counties around Indian Point are also among the highest in the U.S., with a rate of thyroid cancer that is 66% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The accidental release of radioactive iodine into the atmosphere from the nuclear plant, which started operations in 1962 (when I was just a baby) is thought to be the potential cause of this increased risk.

Some media coverage of the issue:

For what it's worth, I'll add that I received a copy of a rebuttal statement from Paul Steidler, Director of Communications for the New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance. (You can read the full statement Read more...

Link Found Between Thyroid Cancer and NY Area Residents' Proximity to Indian Point Nuclear Plant originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 17:09:09.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Preeclampsia Linked to Thyroid Slowdown During and After Pregnancy

2009-11-18T17:08:51Z

Research just published in the British Medical Journal has shown that women who develop the condition known as preeclampsia during pregnancy are more likely than other women to have reduced thyroid function (hypothyroidism) in the last weeks of pregnancy, and may also may face an increased risk of hypothyroidism later in life, even decades after the pregnancy. The greatest risk of hypothyroidism developing over time was seen in women who had more than one pregnancy in which preeclampsia occurred.

Preeclampsia occurs in an estimated 3% to 5% of pregnant women, and involves onset of high blood pressure and protein in the urine in a pregnant after her 20th week of pregnancy. The condition can be dangerous for both the mother and fetus.

The implications of the findings are for women who develop preeclampsia, in that they should be monitored for the development of cardiovascular and renal disease, as well as development of hypothyroidism.

More Information

Thyroid Disease and Pregnancy -- Fertility, Pregnancy & Thyroid Disease Information Center
Preeclampsia -- Get more information from the Preeclampsia Foundation

_{Source: Levine, Richard J, Vatten, Lars et. Al. "Pre-eclampsia, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1, and the risk of reduced thyroid function: nested case-control and population based study." British Medical Journal. 2009;339:b4336 Published 17 November 2009 Online}

About Mary Shomon | Thyroid Forum | Twitter | Facebook

_{Image: clipart.com}

Preeclampsia Linked to Thyroid Slowdown During and After Pregnancy originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 17:08:51.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

FTC Says Diet Pills Like Relacore Are Making Baseless and Bogus Advertising Claims About Stress, Cortisol and Weight Loss

2009-11-17T18:08:28Z

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) three companies and two individuals have been charged with making false advertising claims for their fat and weight-loss pills, Relacore and Ak�var 20/50. According to the charges, the claims violate a 2006 FTC order barring them from making health or weight-loss claims without a reasonable basis.

According to the FTC's statement, "The defendants made claims such as 'eat all you want and still lose weight' and, 'And we couldn't say it in print if it wasn't true!' on product packaging, on the Internet, and in widely read magazines such as Redbook, Star, and Family Circle. The Commission seeks to stop the defendants from making such claims and make them pay civil penalties."

David Vladeck, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, has said: "The Federal Trade Commission ordered the defendants to stop making baseless and bogus advertising claims."

The government's complaint alleges that advertising for Relacore claimed -- without any evidence -- that it reduces "stress-induced" abdominal fat.

The government's charges about Relacore's advertising are similar to charges that were brought almost five years ago against the manufacturer of CortiSlim, another supplement that claimed to fight stress-induced belly fat.

So, can a supplement really help you lose weight by targeting cortisol? Can you get rid of belly-fat simply by taking a pill? Read more in The Cortisol-Weight Loss Controversy.

And learn more about how thyroid patients can successfully lose weight in the Thyroid Diet and Weight Loss Information Center.

About Mary Shomon | Thyroid Forum | Twitter | Facebook

_{Source: FTC Charges Marketers with Making Baseless Weight-Loss Claims Despite Order to Stop}

_{Image: clipart.com}

FTC Says Diet Pills Like Relacore Are Making Baseless and Bogus Advertising Claims About Stress, Cortisol and Weight Loss originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 18:08:28.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Jim Lowrance: Thyroid Patient Advocate

2009-11-17T14:16:02Z

Jim Lowrance, a dedicated patient advocate, was the thyroid editor over at Bella Online Thyroid Health site for a number of years, but recently switched over to editing the Suite 101 thyroid site. Jim writes a series of regular columns on thyroid disease, as well as book reviews. Jim has personally experienced autoimmune thyroid disease, adrenal fatigue, chronic fatigue and other symptoms, and now works to help inform fellow patients. I greatly value Jim's contributions to thyroid patient advocacy!

You'll definitely want to bookmark his site: Jim Lowrance: Thyroid Site at Suite 101.

Jim has also earned the distinction of being the writer/blogger who has reviewed more of my thyroid books than any other patient advocate! Here are links to some of his reviews: �

� About Mary Shomon | Thyroid Forum | Twitter | Facebook

_{Image: clipart.com}

Jim Lowrance: Thyroid Patient Advocate originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 14:16:02.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Chicken Soup by Special Delivery

2009-11-15T20:43:47Z

If you have family or friends who have come down with the H1N1 "Swine" flu, or the regular seasonal flu, or just a plain old bad cold, and you want to do something more than just offer your sympathies by telephone, several companies are now doing mail order delivery of homemade chicken soup.

One company, Spoonful of Comfort, sends preservative-free, freshly made chicken soup, and it's delicious...almost as good as my Grandmother used to make! Spoonful of Comfort also has homemade rolls and cookies that you can send along with the soup. The soup comes beautifully packaged, and the glass jar of soup itself is protected in foil backed insulated bubble wrap. More information is available at their website, www.spoonfulofcomfort.com.

Another company that has a similar service -- and they also have the option of matzoh balls instead of noodles in their chicken soup -- is Grandma's Chicken Soup. (By the way, their H1N1 Swine Flu Gift Package, which includes soup, plus things like hand sanitizer and tissues, totally cracks me up!) More information on their products is available at www.grandmaschickensoup.com.

_{(Disclosure -- I have no connection to either company, but Spoonful of Comfort did send me a free sample of their soup, rolls and cookies so I could try them and see if I liked them, and their soup and baked goods were delicious. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.)}

About Mary Shomon | Thyroid Forum | Twitter | Facebook

_{Image: istockphoto.com}

Chicken Soup by Special Delivery originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 20:43:47.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Thyrogen Drug Used for Thyroid Cancer Treatment is Contaminated with Trash, Says FDA

2009-11-13T14:58:06Z

This is not good news for thyroid cancer patients who rely on the drug Thyrogen (thyrotropin alfa). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that they have found small particles of steel, rubber and fiber -- trash basically -- in vials of their drugs, including the thyroid drug Thyrogen. They also reported that this contamination could cause serious health effects for patients.

This is the second time just this year that Genzyme has been cited by the FDA for contamination of their products. In June of this year, Genzyme had to shut down a key production facility due to viral contamination. (Read FDA press release in PDF format, and Genzyme release.)

In addition to Thyrogen, other Genzyme drugs affected by the current contamination issue include Cerezyme, Fabrazyme, Myozyme, and Aldurazyme.

The FDA is not removing the products from the market, because they say that there are few alternatives to these drugs. The FDA is recommending, however, that practitioners take the following actions:

Discuss with patients and families the potential for foreign particle contamination and development of adverse events, taking into account the clinical necessity of these products, and the risks associated with untreated illness.
Visually inspect the powder in the vial for the presence of particles, before reconstitution.
Visually inspect the reconstituted powder (in solution) and the Aldurazyme solution for the presence of particles.
Do not use any product with visualized particles. Return contaminated products to Genzyme Corporation (1-800-745-4447, option 2).
Monitor for local or systemic allergic reactions after administration.
Consider the clinical utility of levothyroxine withdrawal, an effective and well-established alternative to Thyrogen, versus the potential safety risks from administration of Thyrogen that may contain foreign particles.

MORE INFORMATION

About Mary Shomon | Thyroid Forum | Twitter | Facebook

_{Image: clipart.com}

Thyrogen Drug Used for Thyroid Cancer Treatment is Contaminated with Trash, Says FDA originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 14:58:06.

Permalink | Comment | Email this