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Switched from Synthroid to Armour...
I recently switched from Synthroid to Armour. I was getting all horrible symptoms from Synthroid (hair falling out, tired all the time, heavy periods, anxiety). My doctor started me out on .75 I was on that dose for a few years then I was switched to .112 because my test were showing I was still low. A few months ago my doctor had me do .112 and .125 switching every other day. Immediately I felt terrible so I requested to try and alternative, Armour. I've been on Armour for a week now and haven't notice any real improvement. What I did notice was that my right eye appears to be bulging more so than the other. I'm wondering if this is due to the switch in medications. Has anyone experienced anything similar to this??
Got my labs back for Free T3 and Free T4... here are the results Free T4 1.1, Free T3 (Tri-Iodothyronine total) 80 and TSH 1.91. Based on the standard ranges results are normal but my antibodies are high (TSI 270, THYROGLOBULIN 0.5, THYROGLOBULIN AB <20.0,TPO AB 12).
I tried the Armour with a negative outcome but it was most likely due to the way I was told to take it ...I may try it again once I see where my labs are.
Do you know anything about antibodies and eye surgery? My eye doc says to wait to have any type of eye surgery until antibodies are down... That's why I was asking is there is a way to suppress antibodies since I don't fully understand the whole antibodies thing...
Do you know anything about antibodies and eye surgery? My eye doc says to wait to have any type of eye surgery until antibodies are down... That's why I was asking is there is a way to suppress antibodies since I don't fully understand the whole antibodies thing...
LOL - well there are theories and some work but here's what I see for suppression.
Only two things that are even on the pile of questionable is selenium and going gluten free in diets.
I have done both and very pleased with the outcome.
I think the time frame is past so Armour may be a good option for you to try also.
Only two things that are even on the pile of questionable is selenium and going gluten free in diets.
I have done both and very pleased with the outcome.
I think the time frame is past so Armour may be a good option for you to try also.
I would remain on the T4 medication until those labs are done.
The active T3 in Armour is much higher in ratios than in the human body and with GD you could be elevating the disease. Are you RAI'd? or surgerically removed?
The is a perfect blend needed with going to desiccated andit not just about taking the pill. - You have to understand your antibodies and suppress them so the meds work optimally
The active T3 in Armour is much higher in ratios than in the human body and with GD you could be elevating the disease. Are you RAI'd? or surgerically removed?
The is a perfect blend needed with going to desiccated andit not just about taking the pill. - You have to understand your antibodies and suppress them so the meds work optimally
Thanks for the info! I sent my doctor (Endo) a request for labs Free T3 and Free T4. I'll post results soon...
You should have your free t4 at least done every time you have a tsh done. Without the free t3 being run with the free t4, no one knows if you are having a conversion issue, which you make you feel hypo still and undertreated.
Your dr should be treating you by the frees, not the tsh, which is a pituitary function test. Free T4 and Free T3 are your actual active thyroid hormone levels.
I remained sick for a few years due to an endocrinologist who didn't understand this. I now have an endo who does and actually specializes in thyroid, and I feel so much better!
You could be having hyper and hypo symptoms without even knowing it because your Dr hasn't run both of the Free's together.
Your dr should be treating you by the frees, not the tsh, which is a pituitary function test. Free T4 and Free T3 are your actual active thyroid hormone levels.
I remained sick for a few years due to an endocrinologist who didn't understand this. I now have an endo who does and actually specializes in thyroid, and I feel so much better!
You could be having hyper and hypo symptoms without even knowing it because your Dr hasn't run both of the Free's together.
Hi... I tested in 12/09 for Free T4 it was 1.3 and 9/09 it was 1.0. I have not tested for FT3 yet but I will request it next time I do labs. Also, do you think by taking supplements can have an effect on lab results?
Annie always gives great advice. I totally agree with her about the suggested way to change from T4 meds to Armour. No doubt that is what caused your unwanted reaction.
I just wanted to mention that your symptoms may not have been due to the Synthroid, but due too low a dosage which then resulted in levels of the actual biologically active thyroid hormones, free T3 and free T4 not being high enough. We find that to be the cause frequently here on the Forum. Since you did not list any test for T3 and T4, only TSH, I assume that your doctor has not done so. I suggest that you insist that they test for FT3 and FT4 (not total T3 and total T4), along with TSH, and then get a copy of the lab report and post results and reference ranges so that members can help interpret.
In my opinion the very best way to treat a thyroid patient is to test and adjust the levels of FT3 and FT4 with whatever type of medication is required to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important. Frequently we hear from our members on the Forum that this required that FT3 was adjusted into the upper part of its range and FT4 was adjusted to at least the midpoint of its range.
I just wanted to mention that your symptoms may not have been due to the Synthroid, but due too low a dosage which then resulted in levels of the actual biologically active thyroid hormones, free T3 and free T4 not being high enough. We find that to be the cause frequently here on the Forum. Since you did not list any test for T3 and T4, only TSH, I assume that your doctor has not done so. I suggest that you insist that they test for FT3 and FT4 (not total T3 and total T4), along with TSH, and then get a copy of the lab report and post results and reference ranges so that members can help interpret.
In my opinion the very best way to treat a thyroid patient is to test and adjust the levels of FT3 and FT4 with whatever type of medication is required to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important. Frequently we hear from our members on the Forum that this required that FT3 was adjusted into the upper part of its range and FT4 was adjusted to at least the midpoint of its range.
Thanks for responding to my post... Yes I have GD, my latest lab results on (Synthroid .125) TSH 1.24, TSI 270, Thyroglobulin Panel: Thyroglobulin 0.5, Thyroglobulin AB <20.0 & Thyroperoxidase Antibody 12. I was told everything except TSI was normal range.
Prior to my latest lab results, I was taking .112mcg which was fine with the exception of the side effects (hair falling out, tired). My doctor (Endocrinologist) said that I was still a bit low so she up it to .125mcg which made me feel crappy so I asked her if I could try Armour. She prescribe it in doses of 30mg and 60mg to equate to what I was taking on Synthroid.When I tried the switch to Armour for about a week I immediately felt heart palpitations and my right eye started to bulge. I stopped immdiately and went back to taking Synthroid. So now back to where I started, I'm dealing with the symptoms of being on Synthroid and not sure what to do next..argghh!
Prior to my latest lab results, I was taking .112mcg which was fine with the exception of the side effects (hair falling out, tired). My doctor (Endocrinologist) said that I was still a bit low so she up it to .125mcg which made me feel crappy so I asked her if I could try Armour. She prescribe it in doses of 30mg and 60mg to equate to what I was taking on Synthroid.When I tried the switch to Armour for about a week I immediately felt heart palpitations and my right eye started to bulge. I stopped immdiately and went back to taking Synthroid. So now back to where I started, I'm dealing with the symptoms of being on Synthroid and not sure what to do next..argghh!
Do you have Graves disease? Do you have any lab results with reference ranges yet for the Armour (or the Synthroid). You need to add in the Armour slowly as Synthroid stays in the body and gradually reduces by 1/2 each week.-so it takes about 6 weeks to be rid of it. So every week to 10 days or so you increase your Armour a little until you are at the conversion dose. Then test blood and see. Then if it's still not right and your symptoms are returning or not being eliminated or improved, then you may need to add a little more. Also, it's better to spread the Armour out evenly threw your day (say every 4 to 5 hours with the last dose taken by like 3:00. Not so good to take all at once due to the t3 in it. I'm sorry we missed your post. I hope I'm not to late to give advice. (By the way , we have done this same switch in the past so I'm speaking from first hand experience) Please let me know how you are doing.
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