Out of Armour in China

[HypoInChina]

Hey all!

I am a 34 year old American female living in China. I was prescribed Armour last June and it has completely changed my life for the better. Usually, I order online from a reputable Canadian online pharmacy (that charges me TOO much for delivery). However, Armour is currently on backorder and the pharmacies restock date is well after my current prescription will be finished, with shipping time, I will be without medication for at least a month. I have been taking a reduced dose in order to stretch the medication that I have. I am becoming symptomatic and my T3/T4 levels are no longer optimal. I am open to any suggests that DO NOT involve taking the synthetic form of Armour.

[Hidden]

Do you prefer to stay on the brand Armour or would you be open to trying other brands of NDT, including Thai NDT?

[HypoInChina in reply to Hidden]

I would prefer to stay on Armour. However, I am looking at the chemical makeup and it seems similar. Is it available in China?

[Hidden in reply to HypoInChina]

The suppliers of Thai NDT I know of ship worldwide. I'll PM you a few links.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

A few months ago the Westminster brand of desiccated thyroid was recalled in the USA. The reason was the conditions in the factory that makes the desiccated thyroid (Thyroid USP) powder - which is located in China.

My point being, if it is being manufactured within China, there is very likely a Chinese product available. Maybe try to get an appointment with a Chinese medic?

[HypoInChina in reply to helvella]

Hey Helvella,

Thanks for the information. I am currently under the care of a great Chinese doctor. She recommended that I contact Matilda hospital in HK or kowloon in Thailand.

[HypoInChina in reply to helvella]

Any idea which city/ region thyroid USP powder is manufactured in?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to HypoInChina]

I'd guess, Sichuan.

Westminster Pharmaceuticals, LLC is voluntarily recalling all lots, within expiry, of Levothyroxine and Liothyronine (Thyroid Tablets, USP) 15 mg, 30 mg, 60 mg, 90 mg, & 120 mg to the wholesale level. These products are being recalled as a precaution because they were manufactured using active pharmaceutical ingredients that were sourced prior to the FDA’s Import Alert of Sichuan Friendly Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., which as a result of a 2017 inspection were found to have deficiencies with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). Substandard cGMP practices could represent the possibility of risk being introduced into the manufacturing process.

fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm6...

Sichuan Friendly Pharmaceutical Co Ltd

Address

No.680, Hongpai road, Dongxing district, 641100, Neijiang, Sichuan, China

Telephone

[phone]

Website

fdl.com.cn/

(Website link doesn't work for me. No idea as to the validity of address and phone.)

[HypoInChina in reply to helvella]

Omg! I lived in Sichuan for 2 years. I don’t trust the FDA! They’re “regulations” allow some big pharmaceutical companies to take advantage of consumers like me. I will be contacting this company directly! Thank you

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to HypoInChina]

I think we'd all be very interested in what you find out.

We know next to nothing about desiccated thyroid in China. Please do post anything you find out.

[HypoInChina in reply to helvella]

UPDATE: After several attempts to contact the manufacturer, I was able to find out that they only produce the powder and that because it is considered a "raw material" they can not provide it to consumers. However, I was able to finally get my meds!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to HypoInChina]

Very glad you got your tablets, eventually.

Did you find out if they supply any Chinese tablet makers with the powder?

[HypoInChina in reply to helvella]

Unfortunately, they do not. My PCP asked them during week 2 of waiting for my meds. This complication made me realize that I was relying too heavily on the medication for stability. I am now looking into other safe reliable sources of T3, I have changed my diet to AIP and I'm looking into post-RAI thyroid regeneration methods. Any ideas?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to HypoInChina]

What little I have read of regeneration of thyroid tissue seems to say that although regrowth is reasonably common, that tissue doesn't function the same as the original thyroid.

Maybe best if you post a new question so that other see it and can answer more fully. At least, I hope someone might!

[LAHs]

You could call or email Forest Pharmaceuticals in Ohio, their tel# is 1-800-678-1605, you will have to prefix that with the code for the US which I believe is 01. I am sure they will sell you some or tell you of another supplier. International shipping costs are colossal these days, the other day I wanted to send a letter to Canada and UPS wanted $78 dollars, the post office wanted about $4. It's got something to do with going through customs.

[HypoInChina in reply to LAHs]

The amount of money I’ve spent on shipping over the past year is maddening, yet “necessary”. I’ll contact Forrest as well, I’m actually from Ohio. Thank you