Forest Labs reformulated Armour in spring of 2009. Many patients saw their hypo symptoms return, and requested to swith to Naturethroid and Westhroid, made by RLC, which is equivalent to the original form of Armour, a formula that has worked so well for thyroid sufferers for over a century now.

The FDA cannot ignore so many complaints about Armour, so they have to do an inquiry. Production is still happening though, and they have recently been shipping 1-grain tablets to pharmacies.

RLC is backordered right now, due to the extremely high demand of Naturethroid and Westhroid; they expect to be caught up and have their products readily available by Nove/Dec I believe.

In the interim, hypo patients are finding a lot of luck having their doctors fax prescriptions to Canadian pharmacies for "Thyroid" made by Erfa. There are many on-line Canadian pharmacies to order from, and their prices are not extraordinary.

A lot of patients are also finding luck with pharmacies who compound, many of them have the dessicated powder in stock and can compound you what you need, as well as ship to you. I have learned that you have to ask for a bonding agent other than cellulose, as it interferes with the absorption of the hormones - acidophilus is a common binder that will not interfere.

Lastly, you can order "Thyroid-S" and "Thiroyd" from Thailand - WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION - it runs about $23 a bottle for 120 1-grain tablets, and it also comes in quantities of 1000, though I don't know the price of those off the top of my head. TONS of patients are having a lot of luck with these two meds. I myself use Thyroid-S, sublingually, and I feel amazing relief. It's equivalent to the old formula of Armour, sweet taste and all, though it's a tad bit stronger. I had absolutely no problems with my ordering on the internet and my package arrived in about 7-10 days. My osteopath/endocrinologist was THRILLED with this option and she okayed this medication.

NOTE TO GLUTEN FREE PEOPLE: Thyroid-S contains gluten, Thiroyd by Greater Pharma does NOT contain gluten.

Lastly, there are certain pharmacies, especially on in North Dakota who saw the shortage coming and has stockpiled Armour, Naturethroid, and Westhroid and are selling them in 100 x 120mg (2 grain) tablets at a time, prices are about $35, and the one on ND offers free shipping, USPS. I have the phone number for this, if you want it, PM me.

There are options out there, so don't fret. THe FDA isn't pulling it off the market, it's just Armour that's being investigated. My friend at the pharma research company whose client in Forest has assured me of this. Just give RLC a chance to catch up and take advantage of Canadadian and Thailand pharmacies, or compounding domestic pharmacies.