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