In this episode, Dr. Troy Spurrill, compounding pharmacist Bryana Gregory, and Richelle Voth, PA, tackle the recent FDA warning that threatens patient access to desiccated natural thyroid medication. They discuss how this policy shift could impact those with thyroidectomies and autoimmune disorders who depend on this life-saving treatment. The team explores the FDA's new requirement for a biologics license, which could create a market monopoly, raise costs, and eliminate the role of compounding pharmacies. Listeners will learn the crucial differences between natural and synthetic thyroid hormones, the historical context of desiccated thyroid's use since the 1890s, and what patients and providers can do to advocate for continued access to this vital medication.

Take Action

You can support the cause by signing the petitions discussed in the episode:

• Ask the FDA to Allow the Use of Desiccated Thyroid Medication: https://www.change.org/p/ask-the-fda-to-allow-the-use-of-desiccated-thyroid-medication
• Petition Against FDA's Claims on Desiccated Thyroid: https://www.change.org/p/we-as-thyroid-patients-do-not-agree-with-the-fda-false-claims-against-desiccated-thyroid

Resources Mentioned

• Dr. Antonio Bianco's Book, Rethinking Hypothyroidism: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/R/bo183892827.html
• 2013 Crossover Study: Desiccated Thyroid Extract Compared With Levothyroxine: https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article-abstract/98/5/1982/2536971