Contemplating switch to Armour

[rutkowski517]

I have been taking Synthroid Cytomel combo for a few weeks after switching from Synthroid alone and I do feel better.  My hair is still falling out, but I am guessing from Cytomel. I am not as cold as I used to be. I do have more energy it seems and a little less brain fog, but not 100%.  Of course the constipation is still there and may always be sadly. Still have swallowing issues, dry hair, dry skin, etc..My muscles are sore which is new, maybe Cytomel? I gave up on losing weight ever as well...

Well, since I was feeling better with the T3 addition I called the endo and asked about the benefit of Armour over Cytomel/Synthroid and if that would be beneficial. I was shocked when the nurse called and told me the Armour was called in at 60 mg to take once daily, labs in 8 weeks.

Now I am nervous because it is only 60 mcg of Armour and I am on 100 Synthroid and 10 Cytomel and 60 is not enough so I think they are not sure how to dose this. They also test total T3 not Free T3, so that worries me as well.  I did try Nature-Throid once for two days and had issues with low temps, high heart rates and hypoglycemic feelings and gave up, so I am nervous about trying Armour but hear so many good things about feeling awesome! I am not sure what to do....at least I feel okay on T4/T3 combo.

Any advice would be appreciated!
Kris

[stella5349]

Balancing with the 2 meds right now could be your answer and gives alot of flexibility - more than Armour will as an NDT combo med.

Good Luck.

[rutkowski517]

Okay I think I will wait and take the Synthroid Cytomel combo for the eight weeks and then get my labs done and reassess my symptoms to see where I stand.  I am only in the beginning of week three, so I guess I need to be more patient....so I will :)  

Thanks for the information and advice, I really appreciate it!

[stella5349]

I agree with gimel. You need to know where these levels are truely at.

[gimel]

Personally I would not make the switch now.  I think you should be re-tested when you have been on the Synthroid /Cytomel long enough to stabilize and reach full levels in your blood.  Since T3 reacts very fast,  but the T4 is slower, I need to know how when you started on this most recent dosage of Synthroid.  At any rate, whenever it has been long enough, you should go back for testing for free T3 and free T4, along with TSH, before even considering the switch.  

Since you are still having symptoms, we really need to see if your FT3 and FT4 levels are high enough to relieve symptoms, or if you just haven't had enough time yet to see the full effect of the meds.   I say this because symptom relief can lag behind changes in blood levels of the thyroid hormones.  

If and when you ever want to go with Armour, you're right that the 60 mg of Armour is not the equivalent of your current meds.  So the question would be whether the doctor was starting you on a lower equivalent dose, or did they not recognize the difference?
Either way does not encourage confidence.

[LazyMoose]

Armour is dispensed in MG, Synthroid is in MCG, so you cant compare #'s directly. Still, that does sound a little low. There is a conversion chart on the Armour web site.

Yes - you need FT3 testing on any T3 med.