FDA issues 'voluntary recall' for two thyroid medications

Emilyn Gil
healthy-holistic-living.com
Thu, 09 Aug 2018 15:12 UTC

Having to take a daily medication for a certain condition can be a hassle, but of course it is worth it when the medication helps to keep your symptoms under control. But what if you found out that the prescription you have been taking was recalled due to issues in manufacturing? Yikes!

As uncommon as this occurrence may be, it can happen from time to time. Just recently the Federal U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) voluntarily recalled two thyroid medications for this exact reason.

Details Of The Recall

The medications that have been recalled are Levothyroxine and Liothyronine, which are both used to treat hypothyroidism. The recall includes the doses of 15 mg, 30 mg, 60 mg, 90 mg, and 120 mg.

According to the FDA, there was an inspection done in 2017 of the Chinese manufacturer of one of the ingredients included in these medications. Those who conducted the inspection found some deficient manufacturing practices, which were the reasons behind the recall.

Although the FDA has requested a recall on these medications, they have also stated that patients should continue to take their current medication until they can get a replacement product. Because these medications are generally necessary for serious medical conditions, it is best to continue taking the medication you have until you can get a new one.

What Is Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce the amount of thyroid hormones that your body needs to properly function. Thyroid hormones are essential to just about every organ in the body, because they control the way that your body uses energy throughout the day. With a decreased amount of thyroid hormones, many functions within the body slow down. ⁽¹⁾

There are many symptoms associated with this disease, including the following:

• Weight gain
• Joint and muscle pain
• Constipation
• Depression
• Slowed heart rate
• Dry skin and/or hair
• Trouble tolerating cold
• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• A puffy face
• Goiter ⁽¹⁾

Hypothyroidism Treatment

This is where Levothyroxine and Liothyronine come in. Hypothyroidism can usually be treated by simply replacing this hormone that your own thyroid is unable to produce on its own. Liothyronine is a therapeutic formulation of this hormone, and Levothyroxine helps to decrease the size of the enlarged glands (goiter) and treat thyroid cancer. ^{(2, 3)}

The dosage required for each person can vary, and is found through a series of blood tests and dosage adjustments until the right dosage is achieved. ⁽¹⁾

Hypothyroidism can be kept completely under control in most cases with this medication prescribed by your doctor. That said, it is extremely crucial that you take the medication every day in order to maintain the right amount of thyroid hormones. ⁽¹⁾

For this reason it's important, in spite of the recall, to wait until you receive a new medication before simply throwing out the recalled one. If you have any questions or doubts, we suggest you speak to your doctor as soon as possible.

Conclusion

It can be scary to hear that a medication you depend on daily has been recalled due to a manufacturing issue, but the most important thing is not to worry! If you do take either of these medications, continue as you normally would, and speak to your doctor about getting a replacement as soon as possible. With the help of medical professionals, you will find a good, safe medication just for you.

FDA Recall

Sources

1. Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)
2. Liothyronine
3. Levothyroxine

Comment: Additional information on Hypothroidism:

• Hypothyroidism: How Your Thyroid Can Make You Sick, Tired, And Overweight
• Black Seed may treat hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's Disease), clinical trial reveals
• Selenium - The Missing Link for Treating Hypothyroidism?
• The Thyroid-Breast cancer connection: Iodine deficiency can lead to thyroid issues & eventually breast cancer
• The need for iodine supplementation

The simplest method to deal with an under active thyroid is proper supplementation with iodine, called orthoiodosupplementation. If the thyroid is damaged, then supplementation with thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3, the main biologically active hormone) may be necessary. Supplementation (6). with these hormones should be done under close supervision of a medical professional. However, supplementation with inorganic iodine is generally much safer, as the body "knows" how much T4 and T3 need to make. There are also drugs that change physiology of iodine metabolism, but this subject is beyond the scope of this article. Pharmaceutical companies pressure doctors to avoid inexpensive orthoiodosupplementation, so you won't likely get a prescription for inexpensive Lugol's solution from a mainstream practitioner.

One caveat to supplementation with iodine is the autoimmune illness called Hashimoto's disease, or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, which is one of the potential causes of hypothyroidism. Unfortunately, when hypothyroidism is diagnosed, the possibility that Hashimoto's disease underlies this condition has not always been properly tested. Therefore, Hashimoto's disease has often been mis-diagnosed. Doctors usually treat this condition with hormone replacement therapy, and some believe that excessive iodine intake may trigger it in susceptible people (7). Always ask your doctor if iodine supplements are right for you.