Safe Alternatives to Synthroid

[Schandler]

My husband has Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  his sister had thyroid cancer.  He has been on Synthroid for 7 yrs.  We have recently noticed that he is more agitated, anxious and nervous lately, even to the point of possible depression.  I have researched Synthroid's side effects and this appears to be one of them.  He tried lightening up on his dosage, which he found relief from but his thyroid levels are very high now.  Any suggestions?  

[AR-10]

There are a couple different brands he could try. Levoxyl is one that seems to have worked for some of the members here.

I'd stay away from generic levothyroxine, personally.

[laura1967]

what are his exact levels he had done last? include the reference ranges too....need to make sure he had all the accurate tests done. There are a lot of test result gurus here, who might be able to see something that is being missed.

[Schandler]

I will have to try and get that from his dr. or if see if he has anything that reflects those levels.  Has anyone tried Armour (sp?)?  It is more natural and might work better?

[AR-10]

Armour is a different sort of drug.

Synthroid is a synthetic T4 hormone. It provides your body with T4 and your body converts it to T3 as it is needed.

Armour is a natural T4 hormone with a percentage of T3 hormone included. The T3 is used immediately, and then the body converts T4 to T3 as needed.

Some people do better on Armour. Some people do better on a levothyroxine based synthetic like Synthroid or Levoxyl.

If he has gotten along well on Synthroid for five years or more, he probably would be better off looking very hard at his test results and seeing if maybe he is overmedicated, or try a different synthetic before trying Armour.

That is just my poorly supported opinion. There are people who have switched from Synthroid to Armour posting here that would disagree. And vice versa. I'm not saying for one minute that I'm right. I'm just saying it is my opinion.