What’s Happening
Sign the petition: https://chng.it/2yq27kKBfy (takes 2 seconds)
On August 6, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced plans to phase out animal-derived thyroid medications, also known as Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT) or Desiccated Thyroid Extract (DTE), within the next 12 months.
This includes some of the most widely recognized brands:
- Armour Thyroid
- NP Thyroid
- Nature-Throid
- WP Thyroid
The FDA’s stated reasons for this move are that these products are “unapproved” under current pharmaceutical regulations and that they may pose dosing consistency and purity concerns. Since NDT is made from dried pig thyroid glands, the FDA says there can be natural variability in hormone content between batches.
If enforcement moves forward, these medications could be completely removed from the U.S. market by mid-to-late 2026, unless manufacturers undertake the lengthy and expensive process of obtaining FDA approval — a process that may be financially out of reach for smaller companies.
Why This Matters
For many people living with hypothyroidism, NDT is not just a medication option, it’s the only treatment that works for them.
While the standard first-line treatment for hypothyroidism is synthetic levothyroxine (T4-only medication), this approach doesn’t work for everyone.
Here’s why:
- The human thyroid naturally produces both T4 and T3 hormones.
- Levothyroxine only contains T4, relying on the body to convert it into the active form, T3.
- Some people have impaired T4-to-T3 conversion due to genetics, nutrient deficiencies, chronic illness, or other factors.
For these individuals, NDT’s natural blend of T4 and T3 more closely mimics human thyroid output, helping to restore energy, mood, metabolism, and overall quality of life.
Who Relies on NDT
NDT has been safely prescribed for over a century. Patients who may rely on it include:
- Hashimoto’s patients in advanced stages who have low or no natural thyroid function and difficulty converting T4 to T3
- Post-thyroidectomy Graves’ disease patients who have had their thyroid removed and have zero natural thyroid hormone production
- People with central hypothyroidism or pituitary/hypothalamic disorders where T4-only therapy is insufficient
- Patients who have tried levothyroxine, liothyronine (T3-only), or combination synthetic therapy without adequate symptom relief
For these groups, NDT often provides symptom control where synthetic options fall short.
The Potential Consequences of Losing NDT
If NDT is pulled from the market without a replacement pathway:
- Millions could be forced to switch to medications that don’t work for them
- Return of debilitating hypothyroid symptoms, including:
- Extreme fatigue
- Weight gain or inability to lose weight
- Hair loss and dry skin
- Depression and anxiety
- Brain fog and memory issues
- Low libido and menstrual irregularities
- Heart palpitations and cardiovascular changes
- Increased frustration, hopelessness, and reduced quality of life for patients who have fought hard to find a treatment that works.
The FDA’s Perspective
The FDA states that because NDT is made from animal tissue, there can be variability in the hormone content from batch to batch, potentially leading to over- or under-treatment. They also note that NDT products currently lack formal FDA approval and have not undergone the same modern clinical trial process as synthetic levothyroxine.
However, many patients and practitioners argue that NDT’s safety and effectiveness have been demonstrated through decades of real-world use, and that patients should have the right to choose the treatment that works best for them.
Why Patient Advocacy Matters Now
This proposed enforcement is not yet final. We have a window of time to speak up and influence the outcome.
The goal is to push for:
- A regulatory pathway for NDT products to remain available while meeting quality and safety standards.
- Patient choice in thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
- Recognition of the individual differences in thyroid hormone needs and conversion ability.
How to Take Action
1. Contact Your Lawmakers
- Find your U.S. Senators & Representatives: www.congress.gov/members and search by ZIP code.
- Find your state legislators: Google “Find my state legislator [Your State].”
- Contact the FDA: Email druginfo@fda.hhs.gov. Reference Enforcement of Unapproved Animal-Derived Thyroid Products – August 6, 2025 Notice.
2. Use This Letter Template
Subject: Keep Natural Desiccated Thyroid Available
Hello [Representative/Senator Name],
I am writing to strongly oppose the FDA’s proposed removal of Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT) medications, such as Armour Thyroid, NP Thyroid, Nature-Throid, and WP Thyroid, from the market.
These medications have been safely used for decades by patients with hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s disease, and post-thyroidectomy Graves’ disease. NDT provides both T4 and T3 in ratios closer to natural human thyroid production, which is essential for patients who do not feel well on synthetic T4-only medications.
For many, NDT is the only treatment that keeps symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, depression, brain fog, and cardiovascular issues under control. Removing this option will harm quality of life and limit patient choice.
I urge you to advocate for patient access to NDT medications and push for a regulatory pathway that keeps these important options available while ensuring quality and safety.
Thank you for your time and support.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City, State]
3. Spread the Word
- Share this information with friends, family, and support groups.
- Post your personal NDT success story on social media. (My post is up on my @soulscript.co page: https://www.instagram.com/soulscript.co/ )
- Encourage others to send letters and emails.
The Bottom Line
For those who depend on NDT, this is more than a policy change, it’s a threat to their health and daily functioning.
We must act now to protect access to all thyroid hormone replacement options. Patient care should be personalized, and treatment decisions should be made between a patient and their healthcare provider, not dictated by limited market availability.
Now is the time to raise our voices, share our stories, and push for a future where NDT remains a viable, safe, and accessible option for those who need it.
Rooting for you, Elena