The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced a recall of two batches of thyroid medication due to subpotency. The drug, produced by Acella Pharmaceuticals, is used to treat hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid.
The recall was prompted by six-batch testing of samples that showed the drug contained as little as 87% of the labeled amount of liothyronine (T) or levothyroxine (T).Acella Pharmaceuticals has received 43 reports of serious adverse events that could possibly be related to this recall. The use of thyroid hormones in the therapy of obesity, alone or in combination with other drugs, is not justified and has been shown to be ineffective. Its use for the treatment of male or female infertility is also not justified, unless this condition is accompanied by hypothyroidism. When changing thyroid medications from one manufacturer to another, it may be necessary to optimize the dose to meet individual needs. This is also true for a compounded personalized thyroid prescription.
This is the basis of the thyroid suppression test and is used as an aid in the diagnosis of patients with signs of mild hyperthyroidism in whom reference laboratory tests appear normal, or to demonstrate the autonomy of the thyroid gland in patients with Grave's ophthalmopathy. Thyroid hormones should be administered with caution to patients in whom there is a strong suspicion of thyroid autonomy, since exogenous hormonal effects will be additive to the endogenous source. In addition, it is important to be aware that earlier this month, another manufacturer called RLC Labs recalled 483 batches of two thyroid drugs called WP Thyroid and Nature-Thyroid for subpotency. Subpotent thyroid medication can have serious consequences for those taking it. It can lead to an underactive thyroid, which can cause fatigue, weight gain, depression, and other symptoms. It can also lead to an overactive thyroid, which can cause anxiety, rapid heart rate, and other symptoms.
In either case, it is important to seek medical attention if you are taking a recalled medication. It is also important to be aware that subpotent thyroid medication can have long-term effects on your health. If left untreated, it can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health conditions. Therefore, it is important to speak with your doctor if you are taking a recalled medication.
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