Dr. Friedman prescribes various thyroid hormone preparations to his patients with hypothyroidism. This includes natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) of which two preparations are WP Thyroid and Nature-Throid, both made by RLC Labs. On August 25, 2020, RLC Labs announced a voluntary, consumer-level recall of all lots of Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid tablets because somel ots contain less than the required 90% of the active ingredient as determined by the FDA. The RLC spokesperson said to Dr. Friedman that one lot of WP Thyroid and 5 lots of Nature-Throid contained between 87% and 90% of the labeled amount of levothyroxine (T4) or liothyronine (T3). The recall did not disclose which of the lots were affected and all lots are recalled, not just the affected lots. According to the recall, if a patient receives a sub-potent tablet, hypothyroid symptoms may not be controlled. To date, there have been no reports of adverse events related to this recall. Patients who have had an adverse event should contact RLC Labs.

RLC Labs advised that patients should talk to their healthcare professional before they stop taking their Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid medicine. Consumers with questions about the recall can email RLC at recall@rlclabs.com or RLC Customer Service  (877) 797-7997. Patients may return unexpired Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid tablets to their pharmacy who are legally required to refund the cost of the tablets. Currently no lots of Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid tablets are commercially available, so a replacement with the same product is not an option. It is unknown how long it will be before Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid become commercially available.

Dr. Friedman has several comments about this recall. This is the second recall of desiccated thyroid as some lots of NP thyroid were recalled in May 2020. Dr. Friedman sees this as unfortunate, but still believes desiccated thyroid is a good option for patients with hypothyroidism. Secondly, the “subpotent” Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid pills are only slightly less potent than stated in that only a few lots are between 87% and 90% of the T4 and T3 levels. For most patients, they will not have symptoms from these subpotent pills and if they are taking a lot that is subpotent, the dose can be adjusted based on laboratory levels at your next appointment with Dr. Friedman.

According to Dr. Friedman, patients taking Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid have three options: 1) they can continue taking Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid knowing they may have a subpotent lot and knowing that they may not be able to get a refill at least temporarily. 2) patients can be switched to Armour thyroid, NP thyroid or have a compounding pharmacy compound the equivalent dose using USP grade porcine powder. Please let Dr. Friedman’s office know if you would like to go on a different desiccated thyroid product (and which one) and what pharmacy you would like to use, 3) Dr. Friedman has a small supply of desiccated thyroid that is available at his clinic for those in Los Angeles on the last Tuesday night of each month. He will not be able to mail desiccated thyroid. Please contact his office about this option.

Patients do not need to contact Dr. Friedman, but if you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment with Dr. Friedman, please email us at mail@goodhormonehealth.com or schedule an appointment on his website at goodhormonehealth.com.