Dessicated thyroid tablets are only available by prescription. As far as I know, Armour thyroid granules are similarly only available through a health practitioner or by prescription.

Any thyroid "glandular" extract that you may find at a health food store for sale over the counter has had all of the active thyroid hormone removed. This is required by law.

Natural thyroid remedies generally contain kelp or other iodine-rich herb ... iodine-deficiency can be responsible for sluggish thyroid function. However .. table salt has iodine added, and seafoods which are good sources of natural iodine, are available inland year-round, so iodine-deficiency isn't as common as it was 75 yrs ago.

Some other thyroid "boosters" sold in health food stores may actually be thermogenic stimulants, designed for fat-burning and weight loss. These may contain ephedra, guarana, caffeine, citrus aurantium and/or other compounds which are NOT recommended if you have thyroid disease.

There is some evidence that for women a TSH below 2 is best for proper thyroid function. If you are having hypothyroid symptoms such as low body temp, dry skin, thinning hair, fatigue, menstrual irregularities, high cholesterol, difficulty losing weight, depression etc, etc .. and your TSH is "normal" .. it would be a good idea to have the actual levels of the thyroid hormones measured .. free T4 and T3 as well.

Check out this article at About.com's Thyroid site HELP! My TSH Is "Normal" But I Think I'm Hypothyroid.

Doreen