ARMOUR THYROID

[blkgalusa]

I am on 15 grams of Armour thyroid and the only side effect that I have had is a little bit of sweating..I am also in menopause so I am not sure if this is why I am sweating more or the Armour.  No other side effects thus far.  I was on synthroid and it nearly took all of my hair out.  I hated it.I kept asking the doctor about it and he was saying that it was nothing they could do because synthroid was the best medication to take.  I think it may be but if you don't mind going completely bald then yes by all means take it.  Has anyone else had side effects from any of these medications?

[blkgalusa]

I have been tested for Vitamin D and it was very lowso I am taking 2 supplements per day now.  Somethings when I do forget to take them, I know it because I start feeling achy.  So, I try to remember to take them.

[gimel]

We still need to have a look at your thyroid related test results and reference ranges, please.  Also, I see lots of info about hair loss, and skin problems related to low B12 and low ferritin.  Here is a link on that and some other related quotes.

http://www.joybauer.com/healthy-living/low--iron-hair-loss.aspx

FERRITIN test: Measures your levels of storage iron, which can be chronically low in hypothyroid patients. If your Ferritin result is less than 50, your levels are too low and can be causing problems…as well as leading you into anemia as you fall lower, which will give you symptoms similar to hypo, such as depression, achiness, fatigue. If you are in the 50′s, you are scooting by. Optimally, females shoot for 70-90 at the minimum; men tend to be above 100.

The most common symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include:

    Chronic fatigue/tiredness
    Weakness
    Dizziness
    Headaches

As iron stores continue to be depleted, there may be shortness of breath, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), drowsiness, and irritability. If the anemia progresses in severity, chest pain, headaches, leg pains, shock, and even heart failure may occur. Children may develop learning (cognitive) disabilities. Besides the general symptoms of anemia, there are certain symptoms that are characteristic of iron deficiency. These include pica (cravings for specific substances, such as licorice, chalk, dirt, or clay), a burning sensation in the tongue or a smooth tongue, sores at the corners of the mouth, and spoon-shaped finger- and toe-nails.

Have you been tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin?  If so, please post those results and reference ranges as well.

[blkgalusa]

I am scheduled to test next week and I will let you know the results of that blood test.

[blkgalusa]

I am having now having a bit of shooting pain in my arm radiating to my left breast and acne is a big problem.  Today, I woke with a little bit of light-headedness but I have been under a tremendous amount of stress lately and haven't been able to sleep well.

[gimel]

Loss of hair is more likely to be a result of being under medicated than from the medication itself.  Frequently patients are not given enough medication to raise their Free T3 level high enough to relieve symptoms, or their body does not adequately convert the T4 med to T3, which is the thyroid hormone that largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions.  Scientific studies have shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate.  

Your Armour dosage of 15 mg is not very much.  What was your dosage of Synthroid.  Are you having any other hypothyroid symptoms?  

Please post your thyroid related test results and reference ranges so that members can assess the adequacy of your testing and treatment.