Find out why desiccated Thyroid medications like Armour Thyroid and NP Thyroid are so hard to find in 2026 and what you can do about it.
If you've been calling pharmacies trying to fill your prescription for Armour Thyroid, NP Thyroid, or another desiccated thyroid product — and hearing "we don't have it" over and over — you're not alone. In 2026, finding desiccated Thyroid medication has become one of the most frustrating experiences for the millions of Americans who depend on it to manage hypothyroidism.
This isn't just a minor inconvenience. Going without your thyroid medication can cause fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, depression, and other debilitating symptoms within days. Understanding why these medications are so hard to find can help you plan ahead and explore your options.
Desiccated Thyroid (also called Natural Desiccated Thyroid or NDT) is a prescription medication derived from porcine (pig) thyroid glands. Unlike synthetic thyroid medications like Levothyroxine (Synthroid), desiccated Thyroid contains both T4 (levothyroxine) and T3 (liothyronine) — the two key hormones your thyroid gland naturally produces.
Each grain (60 mg) of desiccated Thyroid provides approximately 38 mcg of T4 and 9 mcg of T3. Popular brand names include Armour Thyroid, NP Thyroid, Nature-Throid, and WP Thyroid.
Many patients and integrative medicine practitioners prefer desiccated Thyroid because it provides both hormones in a ratio similar to what the human thyroid produces, rather than T4 alone. For more on how this medication works, see our guide on how Thyroid works.
There are several overlapping reasons why patients are struggling to find desiccated Thyroid in 2026:
In August 2025, the FDA announced plans to take action against manufacturers of unapproved animal-derived thyroid medications. Many desiccated thyroid products — including some labeled as Armour Thyroid, Desiccated Thyroid, or Natural Thyroid — were required to cease distribution until manufacturers addressed FDA concerns. This was a major disruption that immediately reduced the available supply.
The FDA's position is that these products have not gone through the formal new drug approval process, even though they've been used for decades. Patients taking affected products were advised to contact their healthcare providers to discuss transitioning to an FDA-approved alternative.
Desiccated Thyroid has a history of manufacturing challenges. NP Thyroid, made by Acella Pharmaceuticals, was recalled in 2020 and 2021 because some tablets were found to be subpotent — meaning they contained less active ingredient than labeled. Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid from RLC Labs experienced prolonged shortages beginning in 2020 that never fully resolved.
Because desiccated Thyroid comes from animal tissue, manufacturing it consistently is more complex than producing synthetic medications. Batch-to-batch variability in the potency of the raw material is an inherent challenge.
Unlike Levothyroxine, which is produced by many generic manufacturers, desiccated Thyroid is made by only a handful of companies. When even one manufacturer faces a disruption — whether from recalls, FDA enforcement, or supply chain issues — the entire market feels the impact.
Many patients who take desiccated Thyroid are deeply committed to it. They may have tried synthetic Levothyroxine and found that it didn't adequately relieve their symptoms. This strong preference means that when supply drops, demand stays high, and pharmacies run out quickly.
Here are practical steps to take right now:
Medfinder tracks real-time pharmacy inventory so you can see which pharmacies near you actually have desiccated Thyroid in stock — before you drive there or call. This is the fastest way to cut through the guesswork. For a full walkthrough, read our guide on how to find Thyroid in stock near you.
Big chain pharmacies tend to run out first. Independent pharmacies and compounding pharmacies may have stock or be able to prepare a custom compounded thyroid formulation for you. Ask your doctor if a compounding pharmacy is an option.
If you truly cannot find desiccated Thyroid, your doctor may recommend switching to a synthetic alternative like Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Tirosint) or adding Liothyronine (Cytomel) for T3 supplementation. While not identical, these FDA-approved medications can effectively manage hypothyroidism. Learn more in our post on alternatives to Thyroid.
Don't wait until your last pill to refill. Most insurance plans allow you to refill prescriptions a few days early. Ask your pharmacist about setting up automatic refill reminders, and keep at least a one-week buffer supply when possible.
The desiccated Thyroid shortage in 2026 is the result of FDA enforcement actions, manufacturing difficulties, limited producers, and strong patient demand converging at the same time. It's a frustrating situation, but you have options.
Start by checking Medfinder to find pharmacies with stock near you. Talk to your doctor about a backup plan. And know that you're not alone — millions of patients are navigating this same challenge, and advocacy for better access to thyroid medications continues to grow.
For more information, check out our Thyroid shortage update for 2026 and our guide on how to save money on Thyroid.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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