Can a patient with valve repair take Armour?

[Tamara222]

Hello! Hoping someone can help me with some advice...I am hypo with 2 lesions shown on scan, one fluid filled cyst, one calcified. I had a Ross procedure heart valve repair in 01, which means because I used my own pulmonary and a donor valve, I have to take no medications for this, like coumadin. Everything is fine from that standpoint. However, all this cropped up with my Thyroid 6 months ago, with the calcified nodule just being found last week. I was started on Synthroid in the beginning, and slowly moved up to the point where I felt great, at .75 mg. However, after 2 weeks at that dose, I started to have heart palps, racing heartbeat, shortness of breath. The doctor took me off for a rest. And, the side effects from Synthroid, My God, were horrible for me getting to that 2 week feeling almost normal point. My Family Doctor now wants me to try Armour, 1/4 gram, and cut it in half till I see how I react. My Endocrinologist looked like she would explode when I asked about Armour when all this started 6 months ago, so I will find another Endo. Any advice out there? I would like to try Armour, but if I'm sensitive to Synthroid, will I be the same on Armour? I'm 42 and have 4 kids at home, and a move in two weeks, and a prescription waiting at the pharmacy.....My TSH right now is 3.52, T3 is normal. Thanks for your help.

[Smilerdeb]

I was the same on 75mcg so since then Doc has had me on 62.mcg 3 days a week and 50mcg 4 days a week.
Since that dose change I have been fine.
My TSH is 2.3 and my FT3 and FT4 are all normal.
I also had the problem of going hyper every 2-3 weeks but since the dose change, have been ok.
If you are sensitive to Synthroid then Armour will make you more sensitive so I believe as it has T3 hormone in it which could cause heart palpatations and send you hyper again if not monitored closely.
I also have 2 valves (tricuspid and mitral) regurgitating but as of yet, dont warrant repair.
And I was born with a heart murmur.

Talk to your Doctor and ask to be cut down a bit as your TSH isnt that high.
Hope that helps.