Combining T4 and Armour

[Jo_Stafford]

Hi

I want to combine T4 with Armour but don't know the ratios.   If I take 50mg of T4 (Levothyroxine), how much Armour should I take to balance it?   At the moment I am taking 50mg of T4 and 1 grain of Armour split into two doses.  If people reading this are alarmed at me self medicating - I have tried every other method going - T4 for a year and a half (felt terrible) then T3 and T4 combined (felt even worse).  The best I have felt is combined Armour and T4 (before I saw an endo who put me on the T3 and T4 combined) and taking Adrenal supplements.  I have also been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency which I have started taking D3 1000 iu supplements (any advice on this would be much appreciated too).  

Many thanks

Jo

[stella5349]

Jo

I am sorry you feel you have to go through this situation in the UK. I have a feeling many - in your situation are going to have this happen where they a forced to do exactly what you are doing - since the BTA stepped in wrongly.

I feel for you and I am hoping this changes for all of you in the UK. No one should feel like they have to go "underground" to seek a legimate medication. If you are insistant doing this treatment and feel it works best - you need to make sure you are testing ( and getting the right testing) to see if the Armour is not to high. If you are having trouble getting proper tests there are sources where you can get them done at your expense.

Good luck and I feel for you.  

[Jo_Stafford]

Hi Laura.  Thanks so much for replying to me.  I will try and work out what amounts of T4 and Armour to take.   It is my third day off the T3 and I did not feel well yesterday!  My head went funny and I was really dizzy - it actually did this when I started the T3 too.  For some reason I feel like I cannot tolerate thyroid medication and my levels have never been stabilised since I was diagnosed 2.5 years ago.  It goes up and down and never within normal limits.  I guess it could be to do with the fact I have Vit D deficiency and I think I have suffered with this since I was 20 as I always get low moods in the winter.   My endo is quite sympathetic but he took me off the armour and put me on T3 which has made me feel like death since starting it 3 months ago.   I have given it 3 months but cannot take any more of it.   When I see him again I will tell him I have changed my meds.  I used to see a nutritionist who introduced me to Armour, unfortunately as it is not used in the UK, she was not allowed to advise me to take it - all she could do was make me aware of it.  I know I will have to pay for the medication for the rest of my life but I think it is a small price to pay if I am going to feel well again.   Best wishes Jo

[laura1967]

Hi Jo....I read a book on an endocrinologist who works with 98% 2% rule. Armour has way more T3 than is usually needed, so he adds enough synthetic T4 med to add up to the 98% T4 to 2% T3 mix. The book notes that he finds this the answer to most of his patients needs with the few exceptions of course. This way patients also get the benefit of the Armour T's. Don't you have a dr to work with? I know it can get very frustruating when you have tried everything....been there done that. Just be very careful and please keep searching for that right doctor.....he or she is out there.  Make sure you keep up with the adrenal support and Vit D as well. If your D deficiency was real bad, ,make sure you are taking enough.