I am Janie A. Bowthorpe, M.Ed., founder since 2002 of the Patient-to-Patient movement called Stop the Thyroid Madness LLC (STTM), speaker and activist in the name of thyroid patients worldwide, and author/editor of three best-selling hypothyroid and Hashimoto’s books under the STTM umbrella. 

Not only did porcine natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) completely change my life when I moved to it in 2002/2003 from synthetic T4, it has done the same for millions globally!  Additionally, under the STTM patient-to-patient movement, we know exactly how to use it correctly based on 23 years of patient-reported experiences and observations, and the consistency of the latter!

Yet, now we have the FDA making completely unfounded claims and false narratives about the so-called dangers of NDT, ignoring and gaslighting the positive realities of patient experiences and clinical outcomes for decades. In fact, NDT has been changing lives since it was first introduced in the 1890s. Note that is 130+ years ago!

Additionally, there is a clear, manipulative push that all NDT users move to synthetics, without allowing the patient  to make their own decision as to what is right for their bodies and the quality of their lives.  From the FDA’s own document: “Doctors will be able to work with their patients to safely transition them to an FDA-approved thyroid hormone replacementmedication”. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/enforcement-activities-fda/fdas-actions-address-unapproved-thyroid-medications

This policy will cause severe harm to thyroid patients, including those who have struggled for years to find an effective treatment. Removing NDT from the market will leave many without a viable replacement, potentially exacerbating their health issues and diminishing their quality of life..

We urge the FDA to reconsider its narrow-minded stance and recognize the profound benefits of NDT for thyroid patients, instead of forcing them to go on total synthetic medications they have not chosen. This is not only a matter of the health of millions, but a matter of patient autonomy, of allowing individuals to choose the treatment that's best for them based on personal health needs, not regulatory mandates.

Join us in demanding that the FDA reverse this decision and preserve access to Natural Desiccated Thyroid for all who need it, PLUS make it affordable. Please sign this petition to stand with us in this critical battle.

***PLEASE NOTE this is NOT about current politics. This is ONLY about YOU as thyroid patients and the need to continue making OUR choice for what thyroid meds help us...NOT to be told what we canNOT use anymore which has changed our lives!!