THE MECK REPORT --- THE MECK PODCAST: The Desiccated Thyroid Controversy: Why Endocrinologists Don't Like Armour Thyroid - Thyroid.about.com - Mary Shomon - If you're not familiar with desiccated thyroid, here's a quick rundown. Desiccated (dried) thyroid is a thyroid hormone replacement drug, prepared from the thyroid gland from pigs -- also known as "porcine thyroid." Some of the brand names including Armour Thyroid, Nature-throid, and Westhroid. Desiccated thyroid is a prescription drug, and it's regulated by the FDA. It has been on the market and safely used for more than 100 years. Until synthetic thyroxine (also known generically as levothyroxine, with brand names including Synthroid, Levoxyl, and Levothroid) was introduced in the 50s, desiccated thyroid was the only thyroid hormone replacement medication. -- All along, Synthroid has been sponsor of medical meetings, golf outings, symposia, research grants, and speakers' fees, and is the chief provider of lunches at medical offices, patient literature, pens, pads, mugs, and other freebies, giveaways, and marketing items for decades.