Understanding Natural Thyroid Medication
Understanding Natural Thyroid Medication: Armour®, NP Thyroid®, and What Changes May Mean for You
Thyroid hormone replacement is deeply personal.
For many of my patients, finding the right thyroid medication has been a journey — not just a prescription. It affects energy, mood, metabolism, cognition, sleep, weight regulation, and overall quality of life.
One option we use in select patients is natural desiccated thyroid (NDT), including Armour® Thyroid and NP Thyroid®.
Let’s talk about what it is, why some patients do better on it, and how to prepare thoughtfully for potential changes in availability.
What Is Natural Desiccated Thyroid?
Armour and NP Thyroid are derived from porcine thyroid and contain a combination of T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) in a fixed ratio that occurs in nature.
Most conventional thyroid medications — including levothyroxine (Synthroid®, Tirosint®) — contain T4 only.
Your body must convert T4 into the active hormone T3 in order to feel optimal.
While many patients do well on T4-only therapy, others continue to experience:
Fatigue
Brain fog
Weight resistance
Cold intolerance
Mood changes
even when their TSH is “normal.”
In certain patients, combination therapy (T4 + T3) can provide better symptom control and metabolic stability.
Why Some Patients Feel Better on Armour or NP
There are several reasons this may occur:
Some individuals have less efficient peripheral conversion of T4 to T3
Chronic inflammation may impair thyroid hormone utilization
Genetic polymorphisms may affect deiodinase activity
Some patients simply respond better clinically to combination therapy
For those patients, natural desiccated thyroid can offer:
More stable energy
Improved cognitive clarity
Better mood regulation
Improved metabolic responsiveness
That said, NDT is not appropriate for everyone, and dosing must be individualized carefully.
Potential Regulatory Changes
There have been ongoing regulatory discussions surrounding desiccated thyroid products and compounding standards. As of now, there is uncertainty about how access to these medications may change in the coming years, including potential restrictions on certain compounded formulations.
These discussions are evolving, and we are closely monitoring developments.
If changes occur, we will ensure that all patients have:
A safe transition plan
Clear communication
Evidence-based alternatives
What Are the Alternatives?
If availability changes, options may include:
Custom T4 + T3 combination therapy
Long-acting T3 formulations
Precision dosing with levothyroxine + liothyronine
Compounded sustained-release T3 (if permitted under future regulations)
We are not without options.
However, I fully understand that thyroid medication is deeply personal — and change can feel unsettling, especially when you have worked hard to find what works for your body.
What I Recommend
If you are currently stable and doing well on Armour or NP Thyroid:
Do not panic.
Do not change your medication without guidance.
Do not alter your dosing independently.
Instead:
Ensure your prescription is up to date.
Schedule a follow-up if you have concerns.
Let’s create a thoughtful contingency plan together.
If insurance coverage limits flexibility, we can discuss cash-pay pharmacy options when appropriate.
Moving Forward Together
Your thyroid is not just a lab value — it is a foundational regulator of your entire system.
If you have questions about:
Whether natural thyroid is right for you
How combination therapy compares to levothyroxine
How to prepare for possible availability changes
What alternatives would work best for your physiology
Please schedule a follow-up so we can create a personalized strategy.
We will navigate this together — calmly, thoughtfully, and proactively.
— Dr. Tamara Lyday
The Lyday Center