FDA Armour Thyroid Update

News from the FDA about desiccated thyroid medications has created a lot of uncertainty. If you’re one of the thousands of patients taking it, you’re likely asking: is Armour Thyroid being discontinued? The agency recently sent letters to manufacturers of animal-derived thyroid drugs, including Armour, NP Thyroid, and Nature-Throid, announcing its intent to take enforcement action. This major shift in the FDA’s approach to Armour Thyroid and other similar FDA thyroid medication has left many confused. Here’s what you need to know about this action and how to protect your treatment plan.

The reason? These medications are not FDA-approved and concerns about inconsistent dosing, potency fluctuations, and potential impurities have raised red flags.

For many, this is unsettling news. Desiccated thyroid extract (DTE) medications have been used for decades, often preferred by patients who feel better on them compared to synthetic levothyroxine. But with the FDA’s announcement, the clock is ticking on how long these medications will remain available.

In this article, I’ll break down exactly what the FDA is doing, why it matters, what your options are, and how to make the safest transition if you’re currently taking Armour Thyroid or similar products. I’ll also share insights from my work in functional medicine and hormone optimization helping you understand how to navigate this change without losing control of your health.

What Exactly Did the FDA Announce?
Armour Thyroid FDA Update: The Key Facts
Why the FDA Is Targeting Desiccated Thyroid Medications
Understanding Desiccated Thyroid Extract vs Synthetic Hormones
Safety, Potency, and Quality Concerns
How Many People Are Affected?
What This Means for Your Thyroid Health
Transitioning Off Armour Thyroid: Step-by-Step Guide
Alternatives to Armour Thyroid
Supporting Optimal Thyroid Function During Transition
How Functional Medicine Approaches This Issue
Patient Story: Navigating the Change Successfully
FAQs
Key Takeaways and Next Steps

What Did the FDA Say About Armour Thyroid?

On August 6, 2025, the FDA announced that animal-derived thyroid medications often called desiccated thyroid extract (DTE) do not have approved biologics license applications (BLA) and therefore cannot legally be marketed.

They specifically cited Armour Thyroid, NP Thyroid, and Nature-Throid, among others. While these drugs have been used for decades, they were “grandfathered” into practice without going through today’s rigorous FDA approval process. Now, the agency is moving to close that loophole.

Importantly, the FDA is not removing them from shelves overnight. They’ve outlined a 12-month transition period so patients and providers can move toward FDA-approved alternatives.

Understanding the Conflicting Messages

If you feel great on Armour Thyroid, the FDA’s announcement can feel jarring and contradictory. This is because a major disconnect exists between regulatory standards and patient experiences. The FDA’s primary concern is that there isn’t enough modern clinical data to prove these older medications are consistently safe and effective. On the other hand, many patients report feeling significantly better on natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) compared to synthetic options, even if large-scale studies haven’t shown a clear advantage in symptom control. Adding to the confusion, the FDA has reclassified NDTs as biologic drugs, which now requires manufacturers to get a special, rigorous approval to keep them on the market. This clash between data, personal outcomes, and changing regulations is why the messaging feels so mixed, leaving you caught in the middle.

The FDA and Armour Thyroid: What You Need to Know

Date of announcement: August 6, 2025
Affected products: All desiccated thyroid extract (Armour Thyroid, NP Thyroid, Nature-Throid, WP Thyroid, etc.)
Reason: No FDA-approved status, safety/quality concerns
Transition timeline: Up to 12 months
Recommendation: Switch to FDA-approved synthetic thyroid hormone under medical guidance

The Reclassification to a “Biologic” Product

At the heart of this issue is a technical but important change: the FDA has reclassified Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT) as a “biologic” product. Simply put, unlike synthetic drugs made in a lab, biologics come from living sources—in this case, animal thyroid glands. This new category holds manufacturers to a much higher standard. To stay on the market, they now need to secure a Biologics License Application (BLA). This is a far more demanding and costly process than standard drug approval, requiring exhaustive proof that every batch is consistent in its purity, potency, and safety.

The Accelerated Deadline for Approval

What makes this situation so pressing is the timeline. The FDA originally gave manufacturers until 2029 to get this new approval, but they’ve suddenly moved the deadline up to August 2026. This gives drug makers just over a year to complete the demanding BLA process. If they don’t meet that deadline, their products can no longer be legally sold in the U.S. The real concern for patients is the potential for a treatment gap. This tight timeline could mean your current medication disappears from pharmacies before an FDA-approved version is ready, leaving you without a clear path forward for managing your thyroid health.

Why Is the FDA Focusing on Desiccated Thyroid?

The FDA’s rationale is rooted in modern pharmaceutical standards:

Inconsistent potency: DTE products are derived from pig thyroid glands, and hormone content can vary from batch to batch.
Impurities: As an animal-derived product, there is a higher risk of contaminants.
Lack of formal efficacy/safety data: While used clinically for decades, these drugs haven’t gone through today’s large-scale clinical trials required for approval.

Closing a Regulatory Loophole: The “Grandfathered” Status

You might be wondering how a medication could be so widely used for decades without formal FDA approval. The answer lies in a regulatory loophole. Desiccated thyroid medications like Armour Thyroid came onto the market long before the FDA established its modern, rigorous drug approval process. Because they were already in use, they were essentially “grandfathered” in, meaning they were allowed to remain on the market without undergoing the extensive clinical trials required of new drugs. This historical exception is why they’ve been available for so long despite the lack of a formal biologics license application (BLA).

The FDA’s recent announcement signals a shift in this long-standing policy. The agency is now systematically closing these historical loopholes to ensure all medications meet current standards for safety, potency, and consistent manufacturing. This isn’t an isolated action but part of a broader effort to modernize drug oversight. By requiring DTE manufacturers to seek formal approval, the FDA aims to guarantee that every dose you take is reliable and safe, aligning with the data-driven approach to health that ensures predictable outcomes. This move reflects a commitment to applying the same scientific scrutiny to all medications, old and new, which is a critical step for addressing unapproved thyroid medications.

Desiccated Thyroid vs. Synthetic: What’s the Difference?

Desiccated Thyroid Extract (DTE):

Contains both T4 and T3 naturally, plus trace thyroid hormones.
Measured in “grains” (a non-standardized dosing term).
Many patients report symptom relief, especially if they don’t convert T4 to T3 well.

Synthetic Hormones:

Levothyroxine (T4): FDA-approved, stable, and predictable.
Liothyronine (T3): FDA-approved, faster-acting, used in certain cases.
Can be combined for T4/T3 therapy under precise dosing.

Hormone Ratio Imbalance in NDT

One of the primary concerns with natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) medications like Armour is the fixed ratio of thyroid hormones. These products, derived from pig glands, contain a T4-to-T3 hormone ratio of roughly 4:1. While that might sound balanced, it’s quite different from how your body operates. The human thyroid naturally produces these hormones at a ratio closer to 14:1. This discrepancy means that NDT delivers a much higher dose of the active T3 hormone than your body would typically make on its own. For some, this can lead to symptoms like anxiety, heart palpitations, or a feeling of being overstimulated shortly after taking their dose, followed by an energy crash later in the day.

Duration of Action and Hormone Stability

The stability of your hormone levels is key to feeling consistently well. The high T3 component in NDT is absorbed quickly and has a short half-life, meaning its levels can spike and fall rapidly. This can make it challenging to maintain steady energy and mental clarity throughout the day—something that’s non-negotiable when you’re managing a demanding career and personal life. Furthermore, the FDA has raised concerns about the manufacturing process. Because these medications come from animal sources, there’s a greater chance of inconsistent potency and impurities between batches, making predictable, stable treatment more difficult to achieve.

The Medical Community Consensus

When you look at the guidelines from major medical organizations, the message is clear. The standard of care for treating hypothyroidism is synthetic levothyroxine (T4), such as Synthroid or Tirosint. This recommendation isn’t arbitrary; it’s based on decades of research showing that synthetic T4 provides a stable, predictable, and safe way to restore hormone levels. The approach allows your body to perform its natural conversion of T4 into the active T3 hormone on an as-needed basis, which more closely mimics healthy thyroid function. This gives your physician precise control over dosing, minimizing the hormonal peaks and valleys that can occur with NDT.

Patient Preference and Reported Outcomes

Despite the medical consensus, we can’t ignore the fact that many patients genuinely feel better on NDT. A 2020 study highlighted that over 80% of people taking desiccated thyroid extract felt it worked well for them. This isn’t just in people’s heads. For individuals who struggle with converting T4 to T3 effectively—a problem that standard lab tests can miss—the direct T3 in NDT can provide noticeable symptom relief. This is where the one-size-fits-all approach falls short and why so many people have sought out these medications. It underscores the importance of a personalized strategy that looks beyond standard protocols to understand your unique physiology.

What Are the FDA’s Concerns About Safety and Quality?

The FDA documented that in some DTE batches, T3 and T4 levels deviated significantly from what was on the label. For thyroid patients, even small variations in hormone dose can cause major symptoms ranging from fatigue, depression, and weight gain to heart palpitations and bone loss.

Patient Complaints and Adverse Event Reports

The FDA’s decision didn’t come out of nowhere. For years, the agency has been collecting feedback from patients who have experienced issues with unapproved thyroid medications. According to the FDA’s own statements, they have received numerous complaints about both the safety and strength of these drugs. For anyone taking thyroid medication, consistency is everything. When the potency of your medication fluctuates from one prescription refill to the next, it can leave you feeling exhausted, anxious, or foggy, even when you’re doing everything else right. This lack of reliability is a major reason behind the new enforcement action, as it directly undermines the goal of stable, predictable thyroid support.

Specific Warnings and Side Effects

While many people tolerate Armour Thyroid well, it’s important to understand the potential side effects, which almost always stem from incorrect dosing. As one medical review notes, side effects are rare and typically only occur when the dose is too high. This can inadvertently happen if a batch of medication is more potent than its label suggests—a core concern for the FDA. Symptoms of overmedication mirror those of hyperthyroidism and can include a racing heart, anxiety, shakiness, insomnia, and unexplained weight loss. This is why precise, consistent dosing is non-negotiable for long-term thyroid health. It’s also why working with a provider who regularly monitors your lab work is critical to ensuring your dosage remains optimal for your body.

Interactions with Other Medications

Your thyroid medication doesn’t work in a vacuum. Armour Thyroid can interact with several common medications, potentially altering its effectiveness or the effectiveness of the other drug. Key interactions to be aware of include blood thinners, certain types of birth control pills, estrogen therapies, insulin, and other oral diabetes medications. For example, taking estrogen can increase the amount of thyroid hormone your body needs, requiring a dosage adjustment. This is where a holistic view of your health becomes essential. A comprehensive approach ensures all your medications and supplements are considered together, preventing unintended interactions that could disrupt your hormonal balance and overall well-being.

Contraindication for Thyroid Cancer Patients

There is one group of patients for whom Armour Thyroid is specifically not recommended: individuals with a history of differentiated thyroid cancer. Medical guidelines strongly advise against using DTE in this context. The primary reason is that the combination of T4 and T3 hormones in Armour Thyroid can make it difficult to properly suppress Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH). For thyroid cancer survivors, keeping TSH levels low is a key strategy to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. Synthetic levothyroxine (T4) allows for much more precise control over TSH, making it the standard of care for this specific patient population.

How Many People Are Affected?

In 2024 alone, about 1.5 million Americans received prescriptions for DTE products roughly 6% of all thyroid medication users. That’s a significant community now faced with adjusting their treatment plans.

A Look at Prescription Numbers

To understand the scale of this change, it helps to look at the numbers. In 2024 alone, about 1.5 million Americans received prescriptions for desiccated thyroid extract (DTE) products, which is roughly 6% of all thyroid medication users. This isn’t a small group; it’s a significant community of people who now need to create a new treatment strategy. The FDA’s announcement outlines its enforcement actions against popular options like Armour Thyroid, NP Thyroid, and Nature-Throid. As the agency closes the regulatory loophole that allowed these drugs on the market, it creates an urgent need for patients to find stable, approved alternatives. Understanding what this means for Armour Thyroid users is the first step toward making a smooth and informed transition under medical guidance.

How Does This FDA Action Affect You?

If you are currently on Armour Thyroid:

You can continue using it for now, but availability may phase out.
Now is the time to start the conversation with your provider about alternatives.
If you’ve struggled on synthetic T4 alone in the past, you may benefit from a T4/T3 combination approach under medical supervision.

The Potential for Higher Costs

This regulatory shift isn’t just about medication availability; it could also hit your wallet. If manufacturers pursue formal FDA approval, NDT will likely be reclassified as a “biologic”—a more complex and expensive drug category. That rigorous approval process often translates to higher prices for patients. As a result, experts predict the price could increase substantially, which might make NDT unaffordable for many, especially those with high co-pays or on Medicare. It creates a new financial hurdle for accessing a medication that has worked for you for years.

The Ban on Compounded and Imported NDT

The FDA’s decision also closes the door on two common workarounds for patients seeking personalized thyroid care. Many people rely on compounding pharmacies to create custom-dosed NDT, often to avoid specific fillers or allergens. Unfortunately, this new ruling will effectively ban that practice. Sourcing NDT from other countries will also no longer be an option. This makes it more important than ever to partner with a provider who understands your complete health picture. A data-driven approach can help design a precise, FDA-approved treatment plan—like a specific T4 and T3 combination—that meets your body’s needs now that these other avenues are gone.

How to Safely Switch from Armour Thyroid

Schedule a comprehensive thyroid panel (TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, antibodies).
Review your symptoms and goals with your provider.
Select an FDA-approved alternative (levothyroxine, liothyronine, or a combination).
Adjust dosage gradually to avoid swings in energy and mood.
Re-test labs 6–8 weeks after changes.

### Working with Your Provider for a Smooth Transition This news doesn’t mean you need to panic, but it does mean it’s time to be proactive. The best first step is to schedule a conversation with your healthcare provider to create a transition plan. This is your opportunity to partner with them to ensure your treatment continues to align with your health goals. Before your appointment, ask for a comprehensive thyroid panel that includes TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies. Having this complete set of data is crucial for making an informed decision. During your visit, discuss your current symptoms, how you feel on Armour, and what an ideal outcome looks like for you. Together, you can select an FDA-approved alternative, like a combination of synthetic T4 and T3, and map out a gradual dose adjustment to maintain stability. ### Monitoring Labs and Symptoms Closely One of the FDA’s primary concerns with desiccated thyroid was inconsistent hormone levels between batches. For anyone managing a thyroid condition, you know that even tiny dosage changes can significantly impact your energy, mood, and metabolism. This is why careful monitoring during your transition is non-negotiable. Plan to re-test your thyroid labs six to eight weeks after making any medication change. Just as importantly, keep a simple journal to track your symptoms. Note any shifts in your energy levels, sleep quality, digestion, or mental clarity. This combination of objective lab data and subjective feedback gives you and your provider the complete picture needed to fine-tune your new dosage and ensure you feel your best.

What Are the Best Alternatives to Armour Thyroid?

Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Tirosint) – T4-only
Liothyronine (Cytomel) – T3-only
Compounded T4/T3 – Custom ratios, requires a skilled compounding pharmacy and prescription

### Synthetic T4 (Levothyroxine) For many people transitioning off Armour Thyroid, the first and most common alternative is synthetic T4, known as levothyroxine. This is the standard-of-care treatment for hypothyroidism for a good reason: it’s incredibly stable, predictable, and FDA-approved. Unlike desiccated thyroid, which can have batch-to-batch variations, levothyroxine provides a consistent dose of thyroxine (T4) every single time. The body is designed to convert this storage hormone (T4) into the active hormone (T3) as needed. For a majority of patients, this process works efficiently, and their symptoms resolve completely on T4-only therapy. A comprehensive approach to lab testing that looks beyond just TSH can confirm if your body is making this conversion effectively, ensuring you’re on the right path from the start. ### Combination T4/T3 Therapy If you’re one of the many who tried levothyroxine in the past and still felt foggy, tired, or unable to lose weight, you’re not out of options. Some individuals have a genetic predisposition or nutrient deficiencies that impair their ability to convert T4 into the active T3 hormone. In these cases, combination therapy can be a game-changer. This approach involves taking synthetic T4 along with a separate, small dose of synthetic T3 (liothyronine). This provides your body with the active hormone directly, bypassing any conversion issues. This method requires careful hormone optimization and medical supervision to find the precise ratio that works for you, but for many, it’s the key to finally feeling like themselves again.

Why Thyrolar Is No Longer an Option

You might have heard of a medication called Thyrolar (liotrix), which was a single pill containing a fixed combination of synthetic T4 and T3. While it seems like a convenient solution, Thyrolar was discontinued and is no longer available on the market. The primary issue was its one-size-fits-all, fixed-ratio formula, which didn’t allow for the personalized dosing that is so critical for thyroid health. Every person’s T4-to-T3 conversion rate and needs are different. Today, the preferred approach is to prescribe T4 and T3 as separate medications, allowing your provider to fine-tune the dosage of each hormone independently to match your unique physiology.

Tips for Supporting Your Thyroid During a Medication Change

Ensure adequate selenium, zinc, and iodine (but avoid excess iodine).
Support gut health for hormone conversion.
Manage stress and inflammation, which can block thyroid hormone activity.

Nutritional Strategies for Thyroid Health

While your medication handles the heavy lifting, your diet provides the essential building blocks for thyroid hormone production and conversion. Think of nutrition as the foundation that makes your treatment more effective. A diet rich in a variety of whole foods supplies the key micronutrients your thyroid depends on, like iodine, selenium, zinc, and iron. Focus on lean proteins, colorful vegetables, and healthy fats to support overall function. You don’t need to fear cruciferous vegetables like broccoli or kale; while they can interfere with iodine uptake when raw and in massive quantities, simply cooking them mitigates this effect. The goal isn’t a restrictive or complicated plan. It’s about creating a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory environment that allows your body to respond optimally to your medication during this transition.

The Role of Stress Management

For high-performing people, chronic stress often feels like part of the job description. However, its impact on your thyroid is direct and significant. Persistent stress elevates cortisol, a hormone that can suppress the conversion of inactive T4 thyroid hormone into the active T3 your cells actually use. In essence, unmanaged stress can make your thyroid medication less effective. Integrating consistent stress management into your routine is non-negotiable for optimal thyroid health. This means prioritizing seven to nine hours of quality sleep, engaging in regular exercise to lower inflammation, and finding a mindfulness practice that works for you. By actively managing your stress response, you create an internal environment that supports proper hormone balance and allows your body to get the full benefit of your treatment.

A Functional Medicine Perspective on the FDA’s Decision

In functional medicine, we don’t just swap one pill for another, we address the entire hormonal ecosystem. That means:

Looking at adrenal health, sex hormones, and nutrient status alongside thyroid function.
Using advanced testing to personalize dosing.
Supporting the body’s natural ability to convert and utilize thyroid hormones.

One Patient’s Story of Switching Medications

Sarah, 46, had been on Armour Thyroid for 8 years.

When the FDA announcement hit, she panicked. She had tried levothyroxine years ago and felt terrible. Working together, we:

Ran advanced labs.
Identified low ferritin and selenium deficiency as root contributors.
Transitioned her to a T4/T3 combo.Within 3 months, her energy stabilized, hair shedding slowed, and her weight plateau broke.

FAQs: Armour Thyroid FDA Action

Is Armour Thyroid banned?
No, not yet. The FDA has not ordered an immediate recall or outright ban. Instead, they have issued warning letters to manufacturers, indicating their intent to enforce existing laws that require these products to have full FDA approval.

Timeline: The agency has granted up to 12 months for transition to FDA-approved alternatives. After this period, manufacturers may be required to stop producing and distributing these products in the U.S.
What this means for you: You can still get your prescription filled for now, but it’s best to start planning with your provider so you aren’t left scrambling when supply becomes limited.

Why is the FDA doing this now?
The FDA’s actions are part of a larger effort to ensure all prescription drugs meet modern safety, efficacy, and manufacturing standards.

Potency concerns: Studies have shown that some batches of desiccated thyroid extract (DTE) vary in their T4 and T3 content, sometimes significantly outside the labeled dose.
Consistency & quality: As an animal-derived product, DTE carries a higher risk of impurities and variations compared to synthetic hormones.
Approval status: While DTE has been in use for decades, it was never evaluated under today’s rigorous clinical trial requirements the FDA is closing that regulatory gap.

Can I still get my prescription filled?
Yes, during the transition period. However:

Availability may change: Some pharmacies may run out sooner if manufacturers scale back production.
Refills could get harder: Your pharmacy may require extra verification or may suggest switching to an FDA-approved alternative when stock is low.
Tip: If you choose to stay on Armour Thyroid temporarily, request a 90-day supply (if allowed) to reduce the number of times you need to refill.

What is the safest alternative?
The safest option depends on your health history, lab results, and how you respond to different formulations. Common options include:

Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Tirosint) – A T4-only medication with stable dosing and predictable absorption.
Liothyronine (Cytomel) – A T3-only medication, often used in combination with T4 for patients who don’t convert T4 efficiently.
Compounded T4/T3 – Customized ratios from a compounding pharmacy, useful for patients who do best on both hormones but want precise dosing.

Note: Combination therapy should be done under close medical supervision to avoid over- or under-replacement.

Will my insurance cover the switch?
In most cases, yes, levothyroxine is widely covered and often available at low cost.

T3-containing therapies (liothyronine or compounded T4/T3) may have more variable coverage. Some plans require prior authorization or proof that you’ve tried and not tolerated T4-only medication.
Tip: If cost is a concern, ask your provider about generic levothyroxine paired with generic liothyronine as a more affordable T4/T3 combo.

What if I’ve tried levothyroxine before and felt worse?
You’re not alone some patients experience persistent symptoms on T4-only therapy, especially if their body doesn’t convert T4 to T3 efficiently. In these cases:

Ask about a T4/T3 combination (synthetic or compounded).
Make sure nutrient deficiencies (selenium, zinc, iron) and other hormone imbalances aren’t affecting your thyroid metabolism.
Work with a provider who is willing to monitor both your lab values and how you feel, numbers alone don’t tell the full story.

Can I stockpile Armour Thyroid before it’s gone?
Technically, you could fill larger prescriptions during the transition period, but there are risks:

Shelf life: Armour Thyroid has an expiration date, expired medication may lose potency.
Medical safety: Stockpiling may delay your transition, making dosage adjustments more abrupt later.
Best approach: If you want more time, coordinate with your provider for a gradual switch rather than hoarding medication.

Is this change permanent?
Most likely, yes, unless manufacturers decide to go through the full FDA approval process, which involves costly and time-consuming clinical trials. Given the expense, it’s unclear if companies producing Armour Thyroid, NP Thyroid, or Nature-Throid will pursue this route.
How should I prepare for the switch?

Schedule a full thyroid panel (TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, antibodies) before any medication changes.
Keep a symptom log for at least 2 weeks before and after switching.
Recheck labs 6–8 weeks after any dose change.
Discuss a backup plan with your provider in case your first alternative doesn’t work well for you.

How does functional medicine approach this differently?
Functional medicine providers often:

Look beyond thyroid numbers to assess adrenal health, sex hormones, nutrient status, and gut health.
Use targeted supplementation to improve hormone conversion.
Customize T4/T3 ratios when standard therapy falls short.
Focus on lifestyle changes sleep, stress, and diet, that directly influence thyroid function.

Looking Beyond Medication with Comprehensive Testing

Successfully managing your thyroid health, especially during a medication change, requires looking at the bigger picture. Simply swapping one pill for another often isn’t enough because your thyroid doesn’t work in isolation. It’s part of a complex hormonal ecosystem that includes your adrenal glands, sex hormones, and nutrient levels. A functional medicine approach recognizes this interconnectedness. Instead of just focusing on TSH levels, it aims to support your body’s natural ability to convert and use thyroid hormones effectively. This means investigating potential root causes of imbalance, like chronic stress or nutrient deficiencies, that could be holding you back from feeling your best.

How 1st Optimal Uses Data to Personalize Care

This is where a data-driven approach becomes essential. At 1st Optimal, every patient journey begins with comprehensive lab testing that goes far beyond a standard thyroid panel. We use advanced diagnostics like at-home blood work, DUTCH hormone metabolite testing, and GI-MAP gut health analysis to get a complete view of your unique physiology. This detailed information allows us to uncover hidden barriers—like cortisol dysregulation or low selenium—that directly impact thyroid function. With this data, we can create a truly personalized care plan that addresses root causes, ensuring your treatment is tailored precisely to what your body needs to thrive.

Creating a Holistic Thyroid Health Strategy

While your provider guides your medication transition, you can build a strong foundation for your health with targeted lifestyle and nutritional support. Focus on supplying your body with the building blocks it needs for healthy hormone production and conversion. This includes ensuring you have adequate levels of key nutrients like selenium, zinc, and iron. Since much of your T4 is converted to the active T3 hormone in the gut, supporting your gut health is also critical. Finally, actively managing stress and reducing inflammation can prevent them from blocking your thyroid hormone activity. Remember to re-test your labs about six to eight weeks after any medication change to confirm the new plan is working for you.

Myth vs. Fact: Is Armour Thyroid Being Discontinued?

Myth 1: The FDA banned Armour Thyroid overnight.

Fact: The FDA is not banning Armour Thyroid immediately. They announced a 12-month transition period to allow patients and providers to move to FDA-approved alternatives. Armour Thyroid is still being dispensed for now, but production and availability may gradually decrease.

Myth 2: Desiccated thyroid extract (DTE) is unsafe for everyone.

Fact: Many patients have safely used DTE for decades. The FDA’s concern is about consistency, potency, and regulatory compliance, not that every patient will have a bad reaction. The issue is standardization ensuring each dose contains exactly what the label states.

Myth 3: Synthetic T4 (levothyroxine) is the only replacement option.

Fact: While levothyroxine is the most commonly prescribed, it’s not the only choice. Patients can also use:

Synthetic T3 (liothyronine)
T4/T3 combination therapy
Compounded thyroid hormones (custom ratios)

Myth 4: If Armour Thyroid works for me, I can just stockpile it for years.

Fact: Armour Thyroid has a limited shelf life, and potency can degrade over time. Stockpiling also delays the inevitable transition and may make it harder to adjust later. A gradual, monitored switch is safer.

Myth 5: Switching means I’ll go back to feeling awful.

Fact: Not necessarily. Many patients transition successfully by:

Combining T4 and T3 in synthetic form
Correcting nutrient deficiencies (iron, selenium, zinc)
Monitoring both lab values and symptoms closely
Functional medicine and integrative approaches often result in patients feeling as good or better than they did on DTE.

Myth 6: The FDA is targeting Armour Thyroid because it’s natural.

Fact: The FDA regulates all medications, natural or synthetic, to ensure safety, consistency, and efficacy. Their action is based on the fact that DTE lacks formal FDA approval under current standards, not because it’s an animal-derived product.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

The FDA’s action on Armour Thyroid is significant, but it doesn’t have to mean a loss of quality of life. With the right plan, you can transition smoothly, maintain symptom control, and potentially improve your overall health.

If you’re ready to create a personalized transition plan, schedule a consultation with 1st Optimal today.

References

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “FDA’s Actions to Address Unapproved Thyroid Medications.” August 6, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/enforcement-activities-fda/fdas-actions-address-unapproved-thyroid-medications
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “FDA Letter to Manufacturers on Animal-Derived Thyroid Products.” August 6, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/media/188081/download
Garber JR, et al. “Clinical Practice Guidelines for Hypothyroidism in Adults.” Thyroid. 2012;22(12):1200-1235.
Taylor PN, et al. “Management of Hypothyroidism in Adults.” BMJ. 2020; 368:m332.
Peterson SJ, et al. “An Online Survey of Hypothyroid Patients Demonstrates Prominent Dissatisfaction.” Thyroid. 2018;28(6):707-721.
Santini F, et al. “Thyroid Hormone Content in Commercial Preparations of Desiccated Thyroid.” J Endocrinol Invest. 2016;39(9):1055-1062.
Smith RN, et al. “Liothyronine and Levothyroxine Combination Therapy for Hypothyroidism.” JAMA. 2019;321(3):249-259.
Bahn RS, et al. “Hyperthyroidism and Other Causes of Thyrotoxicosis: Management Guidelines.” Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(12):4001-4042.
Hoang TD, et al. “Desiccated Thyroid Extract Compared with Levothyroxine in the Treatment of Hypothyroidism.” J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013;98(5):1982–1990.
Wiersinga WM. “Paradigm Shifts in Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapies for Hypothyroidism.” Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2014;10(3):164-174.

Is Armour Thyroid Being Discontinued? FDA Action Explained

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