Aa
Husband is switching to Armour.. Yikes?
Hi everyone,
My husband Ed was Dx'ed this past fall with Hasti's and his Endo placed him on Levoyxl. His levels are good now but he has always been a "alternative type person" and wants the natural meds. When he asked our Endo he said all he does is Armour and that he did not know anything about the others so Ed went with that. I personally would not but that is what he wants. Funny thing when he was Dx'ed he was never aware of ANY hypo symptoms other then carpal tunnel. He tells me he don't feel any different now that his levels are regulated Hmmmm? Never had the usual symptoms of Hasti's it was only discovered by a routine TSH which was 8.22 done by his GP.
Anyway, seems to be able to get the Armour no problems at our local drug store. Our daugther stopped the Arumor when the formula was changed because she didn't feel as well so I am concerned.
I guess my question is... does anyone here do good on the new Armour?
My husband Ed was Dx'ed this past fall with Hasti's and his Endo placed him on Levoyxl. His levels are good now but he has always been a "alternative type person" and wants the natural meds. When he asked our Endo he said all he does is Armour and that he did not know anything about the others so Ed went with that. I personally would not but that is what he wants. Funny thing when he was Dx'ed he was never aware of ANY hypo symptoms other then carpal tunnel. He tells me he don't feel any different now that his levels are regulated Hmmmm? Never had the usual symptoms of Hasti's it was only discovered by a routine TSH which was 8.22 done by his GP.
Anyway, seems to be able to get the Armour no problems at our local drug store. Our daugther stopped the Arumor when the formula was changed because she didn't feel as well so I am concerned.
I guess my question is... does anyone here do good on the new Armour?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yay for him -- happy he's going to stick with what he's on. Good luck.
I agree with the T3 med and the T4 med.
Especially since no hypo symptoms as such.
Natural may send him 'over the top'.
Stellas brain works faster than her fingers...like mine lol Hehehehehe
Also sometimes a computer is the pits in the winter here...warmer in the lounge on a recliner on the laptop than in a cold computer room lol.
Gawd I'm a sooky Lala lol.!
Especially since no hypo symptoms as such.
Natural may send him 'over the top'.
Stellas brain works faster than her fingers...like mine lol Hehehehehe
Also sometimes a computer is the pits in the winter here...warmer in the lounge on a recliner on the laptop than in a cold computer room lol.
Gawd I'm a sooky Lala lol.!
Thanks everyone.. Stella I just thought you were using a new kind of short hand and I needed to get with it! Lol!
Well I have to side with going synthetic T3 and jumping ship on the desiccated thyroid ASAP is right - before he really gets all twisted up and has to start all over.
In retrospect of the labs his FT4 is in good range but that FT3 lab is icky... for better words... low.
This ratio of porcine thyroid could over balance the T4 hormone already and could store - or stockpile into RT3 or TT3 and unbalance him entirely very quickly. If the endo is leery of Cytomel w/ Synthroid - for sure!! - they will be entirely dumping him on JUST T3 if your husband starts to store hormone incorrectly.
Just read and educate yourself on T3 in addition to T4 synthetic dosing. If this endo rx'd desiccated thyroid - FOR SURE - they would allow syntheic T3 and T4 meds instead
Tweeking the T4 he used to take could be so much better adding T3 meds - maybe even a small amount of just .5mcg of Cytomel daily to start. I think patient wise he's headed for danger staying on NT.
Warning:: and read stuff about this too. Taking desiccated or even adding T3 w/ T4 - will suppress the TSH lab and can make it look abnormally low. This is NOT a proper lab to base your actual results when direct T3 is used - regardless of natural or synthetic. The free testing is your friend - not the TSH test at all - unless pitutiary - renal or hypothalamus issues are detected.
Sorry about my above post. My keyboard has a mind of its own lately and typing fast seems to make my replies con-jobbled. I don't spell good lately after my horrible Graves/Hashi adventures anymore but reading back a few replies I have typed recently is so rediculious - its cracking me up.
Seriously, If you have any questions - I'll redo my posts but a keyboard purchase today will be a must!
In retrospect of the labs his FT4 is in good range but that FT3 lab is icky... for better words... low.
This ratio of porcine thyroid could over balance the T4 hormone already and could store - or stockpile into RT3 or TT3 and unbalance him entirely very quickly. If the endo is leery of Cytomel w/ Synthroid - for sure!! - they will be entirely dumping him on JUST T3 if your husband starts to store hormone incorrectly.
Just read and educate yourself on T3 in addition to T4 synthetic dosing. If this endo rx'd desiccated thyroid - FOR SURE - they would allow syntheic T3 and T4 meds instead
Tweeking the T4 he used to take could be so much better adding T3 meds - maybe even a small amount of just .5mcg of Cytomel daily to start. I think patient wise he's headed for danger staying on NT.
Warning:: and read stuff about this too. Taking desiccated or even adding T3 w/ T4 - will suppress the TSH lab and can make it look abnormally low. This is NOT a proper lab to base your actual results when direct T3 is used - regardless of natural or synthetic. The free testing is your friend - not the TSH test at all - unless pitutiary - renal or hypothalamus issues are detected.
Sorry about my above post. My keyboard has a mind of its own lately and typing fast seems to make my replies con-jobbled. I don't spell good lately after my horrible Graves/Hashi adventures anymore but reading back a few replies I have typed recently is so rediculious - its cracking me up.
Seriously, If you have any questions - I'll redo my posts but a keyboard purchase today will be a must!
I agree with you!!! I'm going to make him read these posts!!!!
More Ammo appericated. LOl!
More Ammo appericated. LOl!
Hi Barb, yes he is on B 12 injections and the Endo said Cosco carries a B 12 sublingual that works well after injections have been given for a while. Never knew that but I suppose as long as he is going to monitor him we'll give it a try.
He don't feel bad never did so I don't think he understands what a change in meds could do.. he said well I'll try it. I think your right though about the T3 drug but not sure the endo would give it.
How are you doing? I'm still hyper just got my labs today and went even more hyper after med drop 6 weeks ago. I'm now back on the dose that I was stable on so hopefully this will be the last decrease.
As you probably know I've tested positive for lyme and now on abx's. One thing I do know my thyroid levels have caused me more pain then the lyme ever did. I am doing better now with both. Lyme is much like the thyroid when it comes to doctors you have to do your own research and make sure your getting correct tx. Hope all is going well for you!
He don't feel bad never did so I don't think he understands what a change in meds could do.. he said well I'll try it. I think your right though about the T3 drug but not sure the endo would give it.
How are you doing? I'm still hyper just got my labs today and went even more hyper after med drop 6 weeks ago. I'm now back on the dose that I was stable on so hopefully this will be the last decrease.
As you probably know I've tested positive for lyme and now on abx's. One thing I do know my thyroid levels have caused me more pain then the lyme ever did. I am doing better now with both. Lyme is much like the thyroid when it comes to doctors you have to do your own research and make sure your getting correct tx. Hope all is going well for you!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Looks like a low dose of cytomel (T3) might work good for him, rather than changing to a whole new med, which could mean he'd basically have to start all over again. I don't think he'd need a whole lot of cytomel to bring his FT3 up to great levels.
Is he on B12 shots?
Is he on B12 shots?
TSH 1.57
FT4 1.3
Ft3 287
TSH Ref. Range 0.40 - 4.50
T4 Free 0.8 - 1.8
T3 Free 230 - 420
He is B 12 deficient and also Hasti's has caused his Testosterone levels to be low. Thanks Stella!
FT4 1.3
Ft3 287
TSH Ref. Range 0.40 - 4.50
T4 Free 0.8 - 1.8
T3 Free 230 - 420
He is B 12 deficient and also Hasti's has caused his Testosterone levels to be low. Thanks Stella!
hmmm - ot of sheer curiosity..... can yu post those actual latest labs... ?
Given - I am on NT - I'd like to see his fre levels nd know for sre which method I culd fl is best.
There is a difference - base off labs on using NT or synthetic. I'd like to see which would be better.
Also his medical conditions other than thyroid. Is there aything else he has?
Given - I am on NT - I'd like to see his fre levels nd know for sre which method I culd fl is best.
There is a difference - base off labs on using NT or synthetic. I'd like to see which would be better.
Also his medical conditions other than thyroid. Is there aything else he has?
Thanks Stella! Good info.
Thanks to this forum I was made aware of the antibody testing and FT3 and FT4 which we did have done and continue to have done EVERY time levels are checked (other then antibodies) His FT3 and FT4 levels are in good range. I personally wouldn't change but I'm looking for Ammo to discourage him.
Thanks to this forum I was made aware of the antibody testing and FT3 and FT4 which we did have done and continue to have done EVERY time levels are checked (other then antibodies) His FT3 and FT4 levels are in good range. I personally wouldn't change but I'm looking for Ammo to discourage him.
Hashi's can't be discovered off a TSH.
I know of little good results from patients that had been on New - Armour. Anything with the level of MCC filler regardless as Armour increased is not working as well.
I wouldn't go YIKES just b/c he wants to try but my suggestion would be for him to research Cytomel T3 Meds to use with his Levo instead of switching entirely.
Key advice if you want a logical argument w/ him... tell him the levo ( if he adds Cytomel) is more bio-identical to human thyroid than going to porcine. regardless of natural-ness.
I happen to be on porcine thyroid and have been for years. I started with the Old Armour and now don't get anything from the states since all US brands have overindulged in MCC fillers. It spiraled me into thyroid he// in days since they reformulated. I found Canada thyroid and doing very well but if I would have understood Cytomel in the beginning before I switched I would have went that route instead of taking all the time adjusting to the higher levels of porcine desiccated thyroid as I did. Now, I will stay on my porcine thyroid cuz I don't want to break what isn't hurt again by switching again. I'm happy where I am at and refuse to step back again to being ill.
I know of little good results from patients that had been on New - Armour. Anything with the level of MCC filler regardless as Armour increased is not working as well.
I wouldn't go YIKES just b/c he wants to try but my suggestion would be for him to research Cytomel T3 Meds to use with his Levo instead of switching entirely.
Key advice if you want a logical argument w/ him... tell him the levo ( if he adds Cytomel) is more bio-identical to human thyroid than going to porcine. regardless of natural-ness.
I happen to be on porcine thyroid and have been for years. I started with the Old Armour and now don't get anything from the states since all US brands have overindulged in MCC fillers. It spiraled me into thyroid he// in days since they reformulated. I found Canada thyroid and doing very well but if I would have understood Cytomel in the beginning before I switched I would have went that route instead of taking all the time adjusting to the higher levels of porcine desiccated thyroid as I did. Now, I will stay on my porcine thyroid cuz I don't want to break what isn't hurt again by switching again. I'm happy where I am at and refuse to step back again to being ill.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
I switched to dessicated because that's what gave me symptom relief. A very small percentage of hypo thyroid individuals, regardless of decent labs on synthetics, still have symptoms.
I am now on ERFA, (feeling better), its what seems to work so far after the US brands were re-formulated (thanks). The reformulated stuff did really weird things to my levels (look at my posting today). The thought that I depend on getting meds from Canada is not the best feeling.
More ammo - by the time they process and add fillers to pork thyroid, just how 'natural' is it?
LM