The Desiccated Thyroid Shortage Is Real — Here's What's Happening

If you rely on desiccated Thyroid medication like Armour Thyroid, NP Thyroid, Nature-Throid, or WP Thyroid, you've likely been dealing with frustrating supply problems. In 2026, these medications remain difficult to find at many pharmacies across the country.

This isn't new — desiccated thyroid products have faced intermittent shortages for years — but the situation escalated significantly in 2025. Here's what you need to know about the current state of the shortage, what's causing it, and what you can do to protect your health.

Is Desiccated Thyroid Still in Shortage in 2026?

Yes. As of early 2026, many patients continue to report difficulty finding desiccated Thyroid products at their local pharmacies. The situation varies by brand, dose, and location, but supply remains inconsistent nationwide.

The key factors keeping supply tight:

• FDA enforcement actions announced in August 2025 against unapproved desiccated thyroid products
• Ongoing manufacturing limitations from the small number of producers
• Residual effects from prior recalls (NP Thyroid in 2020-2021)
• Continued strong patient demand

Why Is Desiccated Thyroid So Hard to Find?

The FDA's August 2025 Announcement

The biggest factor driving the current shortage is the FDA's August 2025 decision to take enforcement action against manufacturers of unapproved animal-derived thyroid medications. The FDA directed manufacturers to cease distribution of products that hadn't gone through the formal new drug approval process.

This affected products labeled as Armour Thyroid, Desiccated Thyroid, and Natural Thyroid, among others. The FDA advised patients to work with their healthcare providers to transition to FDA-approved alternatives.

It's important to note that desiccated thyroid products have been used safely by millions of patients for over a century. The FDA's action is related to regulatory approval status, not safety concerns with the medications themselves. For more background, see our detailed explainer on why Thyroid is so hard to find.

Manufacturing History and Recalls

Even before the FDA's 2025 action, desiccated Thyroid had a troubled supply history:

• NP Thyroid (Acella Pharmaceuticals): Recalled in 2020 and 2021 due to subpotent tablets containing less active ingredient than labeled
• Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid (RLC Labs): Extended shortages beginning in 2020, with production issues that were never fully resolved
• Armour Thyroid (Allergan): Periodic spot shortages driven by demand exceeding supply

Limited Manufacturers

Unlike Levothyroxine, which has dozens of generic manufacturers, desiccated Thyroid is produced by only a few companies. When any one of them experiences a disruption, the ripple effect across the entire market is immediate and significant.

How Much Does Desiccated Thyroid Cost in 2026?

Pricing remains a challenge for patients, especially those without insurance coverage:

• Armour Thyroid: Approximately $155 for 90 tablets (60 mg) at retail, or around $83 with a discount card from services like SingleCare
• NP Thyroid: Similar pricing — about $133 retail, approximately $83 with a coupon
• Generic Levothyroxine (alternative): As low as $4-$15 for a 30-day supply

Many insurance plans — including some Medicare plans — do not cover desiccated Thyroid products, making out-of-pocket cost a factor on top of availability. For comprehensive savings strategies, check out our guide on how to save money on Thyroid.

Are There New Options for Patients in 2026?

While no new desiccated thyroid products have launched, patients have several options to discuss with their doctors:

• Compounded Thyroid: Compounding pharmacies can prepare custom T4/T3 formulations, providing an alternative when brand products are unavailable
• Synthetic T4/T3 Combination: Taking Levothyroxine plus Liothyronine (Cytomel) together replicates the dual-hormone approach of desiccated Thyroid
• Tirosint: A gelcap formulation of Levothyroxine with fewer inactive ingredients — helpful for patients with absorption issues or sensitivities

Learn more about your options in our alternatives to Thyroid guide.

How to Find Desiccated Thyroid in Stock Right Now

Despite the shortage, some pharmacies do have stock. Here's how to find them:

1. Use Medfinder — the fastest way to check real-time pharmacy inventory in your area
2. Try independent pharmacies — they often have different wholesaler relationships than big chains
3. Ask about compounding pharmacies — they can make custom thyroid preparations
4. Expand your search area — pharmacies in smaller towns may have stock that urban pharmacies don't
5. Set up alerts — ask your pharmacist to notify you when your medication comes back in stock

For a complete walkthrough, read our guide to finding Thyroid in stock near you.

Final Thoughts

The desiccated Thyroid shortage in 2026 is the result of years of manufacturing challenges compounded by the FDA's August 2025 enforcement actions. While the timeline for resolution remains uncertain, patients have options — from using Medfinder to locate available stock, to exploring alternatives with their doctors, to working with compounding pharmacies.

Don't wait until you're out of medication to take action. Check your supply, talk to your doctor about a backup plan, and use every tool available to stay ahead of the shortage. Your thyroid health depends on it.