Natural Thyroid Support in Light of the FDA’s Recent Announcement
On August 6, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it will begin removing unapproved animal-derived thyroid medications (sometimes called desiccated thyroid extract, or DTE) from the U.S. market. These medications — including well-known brands such as Armour®, Nature-Throid®, and NP Thyroid® — have been prescribed for decades as natural thyroid hormone replacement for those with hypothyroidism.
The FDA’s August 2025 Announcement: What Changed?
In its August 2025 statement, the FDA explained that desiccated thyroid medications (DTEs) are being taken off the market because they do not meet today’s safety and approval standards. While these products have been widely used for generations, federal regulators expressed several ongoing concerns, including:
- Inconsistent potency – hormone levels in different batches may vary, making it difficult for patients to achieve stable thyroid function.
- Risk of contamination – since these medications are derived from animal thyroid glands, there is a potential for impurities or unwanted substances to be introduced.
- Lack of up-to-date research – unlike modern thyroid medications, DTEs have not undergone the rigorous clinical trials required for FDA approval.
Because of these issues, the FDA has directed that patients currently using DTE prescriptions will need to transition to FDA-approved thyroid hormone replacements. The most common options include levothyroxine (T4) and liothyronine (T3), both of which have undergone safety testing and are considered reliable for maintaining proper thyroid hormone levels.
Why Thyroid Health Matters
The thyroid gland may be small, but it has a profound effect on nearly every system in the body. Shaped like a butterfly and located at the front of the neck, the thyroid produces hormones that regulate metabolism, energy, mood, digestion, temperature balance, weight, skin, and hair health.
When the thyroid slows down — a condition called hypothyroidism — patients may experience:
- Persistent fatigue or sluggish energy
- Unexplained weight gain despite diet and exercise
- Constipation and slower digestion
- Cold sensitivity (always feeling chilled)
- Dry skin and thinning hair
- Brain fog, forgetfulness, or depressed mood
On the other hand, when the thyroid becomes overactive (hyperthyroidism), the body can shift into “overdrive.” Common symptoms may include:
- Unintentional weight loss, even with normal or increased appetite
- Anxiety, nervousness, or irritability
- Heart palpitations or rapid pulse
- Increased sweating and heat intolerance
- Tremors, restlessness, or difficulty sleeping
- Frequent bowel movements or diarrhea
Because these symptoms overlap with many other conditions, it is easy for thyroid imbalances — both fast and slow — to go unrecognized. That’s why comprehensive thyroid lab testing is so critical. A simple TSH screening often misses subtle dysfunctions, while a full panel can provide a clearer picture of how well the thyroid is truly working.
What About Thyroid Supplements?
The FDA’s recent decision has left many patients wondering whether it also applies to thyroid supplements containing glandular extracts. This is an important distinction.
Unlike prescription desiccated thyroid medications, which contain active thyroid hormones and are now being removed from the market, nutritional glandular supplements remain available.
We reached out to both Standard Process and VerVita, two companies with decades of experience producing whole-food, glandular-based supplements. Both have confirmed that their thyroid support products are not affected by the FDA’s ruling.
Here’s why:
- Processed to remove hormones – Supplements like Thyrophin PMG (Standard Process), GTA Forte (Biotics Energetics) and ReGenerZyme Thyroid (VerVita) undergo careful processing to eliminate active thyroid hormones (such as thyroxine).
- Classified as dietary supplements – These products are regulated under dietary supplement law, not drug law.
- Designed for nutritional support – Their purpose is to provide tissue-specific proteins and nutrients to support thyroid health, not to replace hormones.
At The Hayden Institute, we believe that patients deserve freedom of choice when it comes to their health care. While FDA-approved medications may be the right fit for some, others benefit greatly from the long tradition of thyroid glandular support and we are not fans of removing these properly prescribed thyroid glandular medications from the list of available prescriptions that medical doctors use to help patients. These extracts have been available for decades, and many individuals report improved well-being when using them as part of a functional medicine plan.
In short, while prescription desiccated thyroid medications are being phased out, nutritional thyroid supplements remain a safe and supportive option for those seeking natural strategies.re being removed from the market, nutritional glandular supplements remain available.
The Tradition and Value of Glandular Support
Glandular therapy has a long history in natural and conventional medicine. The guiding idea is straightforward: nutrients and peptides derived from animal tissue may provide specific support for the corresponding human organ or gland.
In fact, desiccated thyroid extract (DTE) was one of the very first pharmaceutical treatments for hypothyroidism in the early 1900s, long before synthetic options existed. Over time, mainstream medicine shifted toward synthetic thyroid hormones such as levothyroxine (T4) and liothyronine (T3), which are now considered the standard of care.
Even so, many patients and practitioners continue to value the unique role of nutritional glandular extracts within a functional medicine framework. These products are not meant to replace thyroid hormones when medically necessary, but rather to provide nutritional and tissue-specific support that may complement conventional therapies.
This long tradition underscores why so many patients appreciate having access to glandular options alongside modern medications — a reminder of the importance of preserving choice in thyroid care.ment for medication when needed, they may offer supportive nutrition to patients working to maintain thyroid health.
Safety and Quality of Natural Thyroid Supplements
When discussing thyroid support, it’s important to understand the clear distinction between prescription desiccated thyroid medications (DTEs) and dietary glandular supplements.
- Prescription desiccated thyroid medications contain active thyroid hormones (T4 and T3). These drugs are now being removed from the market following FDA concerns about inconsistent potency, lack of modern approval studies, and potential variability in safety.
- Dietary glandular supplements, on the other hand, are carefully processed to remove active hormones while preserving the peptides, proteins, and cofactors believed to provide nutritional support for thyroid tissue.
- These supplements are regulated under dietary supplement manufacturing guidelines (cGMP standards), which require testing for contaminants and strict quality control to ensure product consistency.
Because of these safeguards, nutritional glandular extracts remain available and safe for use. For many patients, they offer a trusted, time-honored option to support thyroid health — especially valuable at a time when prescription DTEs are being phased out.
Supporting Thyroid Health Naturally
While thyroid medication or supplementation may be necessary in some cases, many patients benefit from also addressing the lifestyle factors that directly influence thyroid balance. Supporting the body naturally can help optimize hormone activity and improve overall well-being.
Key strategies for natural thyroid support include:
Reducing environmental toxin exposure – Everyday chemicals (such as BPA, pesticides, and heavy metals) may disrupt thyroid signaling. Choosing cleaner personal care products, filtered water, and minimizing plastics can lower this burden.
Balanced nutrition – Eating a diet rich in whole foods, with adequate protein, healthy fats, and minerals such as selenium, zinc, iodine, and iron, provides the building blocks needed for thyroid hormone production and conversion.
Stress management – Chronic stress increases cortisol, which can interfere with the conversion of T4 (inactive hormone) into T3 (active hormone). Tools like deep breathing, yoga, prayer, or mindfulness may support more stable thyroid function.
Gut health optimization – A healthy digestive system supports the absorption of key nutrients and assists in hormone activation. Probiotics, fiber, and targeted gut support can be helpful for many patients.
By combining nutritional support, stress reduction, gut health strategies, and toxin avoidance with appropriate lab testing and professional guidance, many patients find a more complete approach to thyroid care.
Gentle Next Steps for Patients with thyroid concerns
If you are currently taking a prescription desiccated thyroid medication, it’s important to begin a conversation with your prescribing provider about transitioning to an FDA-approved thyroid hormone replacement. Making this change under professional supervision ensures that your hormone levels remain stable and your symptoms are well managed.
For those interested in a more natural approach to thyroid support, there are still many safe and effective options available. Glandular supplements, targeted nutrition, lifestyle strategies, and comprehensive lab testing can all play a role in helping the thyroid function more effectively.
At The Hayden Institute, we provide guidance on:
- Functional thyroid lab testing to look beyond TSH and evaluate Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, thyroid antibodies, and nutrient cofactors.
- Nutritional thyroid support using well-established glandular supplements such as Thyrophin PMG (Standard Process) or ReGenerZyme Thyroid (VerVita) along with other thyroid supportive supplements and herbs.
- Personalized lifestyle strategies to address stress, gut health, and toxin exposure that may affect thyroid balance.
Patients do not have to face these changes alone. With the right testing, education, and support, it is possible to create a care plan that respects both modern medical safety and the time-honored value of natural thyroid support.
Complementary Products for Nutritional Thyroid Support
When it comes to supporting thyroid health naturally, certain nutritional supplements can play a valuable role alongside proper testing, lifestyle strategies, and medical guidance. Earlier in the blog post, we discussed glandular support from nutritional supplements that we commonly use in the office, but there are other supportive herbs and essential minerals, that can provide adaptogenic balance to the thyroid gland. Some of the formulations we use with patients to support thyroid dysfunction include:
- Thyrostim (Biotics Research): A comprehensive formula combining vitamins, minerals, and glandular extracts to promote healthy thyroid function.
- ThyroFLM (Apex Energetics): A unique formula designed to support healthy thyroid tissue by helping to calm inflammatory processes that can contribute to tissue stress or fibrosis.
- Cataplex E2 (Standard Process): Rich in selenium and supportive nutrients, this product plays a role in thyroid hormone metabolism and antioxidant protection.
- Alaria Supreme (Supreme Nutrition): A natural source of iodine, an essential mineral required for thyroid hormone production.
- Ashwagandha Supreme (Supreme Nutrition): An adaptogenic herb traditionally used to support both the thyroid and adrenal glands, promoting resilience to stress while aiding metabolic balance.
Final Thoughts
The FDA’s recent decision may cause uncertainty, but it is important to recognize the distinction between unapproved prescription desiccated thyroid medications and nutritional thyroid supplements. While prescription desiccated thyroid is being phased out, nutritional glandular supplements remain available as a safe, supportive option within a functional medicine approach.
If you are experiencing symptoms of thyroid imbalance — whether fatigue, weight changes, mood shifts, or digestive concerns — or if you simply want to better understand your thyroid health, now is the time to take a closer look. Comprehensive lab testing, nutritional evaluation, and individualized supplement guidance can provide clarity and direction on your health journey.
To learn more about your thyroid health, or to explore safe and effective natural support strategies, contact The Hayden Institute. Our team can help you get tested, interpret your results, and choose the right options for your thyroid wellness plan.
