armour vs synthroid/cytomel

[venora]

Ok I am wondering which route to go after RAI.Armour or Synthroid/Cytomel combo.I am leaning to the armour.1 pill vs 2.Itis closest to our own thyroid hormones.
I had bad experience with synthroid but that was mostly because they gave me too much.Cytomel has been ok except for the excessive bm's(previous IBS was totally thyroid induced)

But all the websites I have been to about armour sound almost too good to be true.So I know yall will give me the skinny.

Thanks, Venora

[GravesLady]

Its a matter of choice, and, type of thyroid condition as well as other health issues. If there is no conversion problem, a very rare condition, then there should be no need for the extra T-3 in Armour or Cytomel.

Some people develop TED when they take animal-based extracts such as Armour, because the immune system  react to foreign proteins found in glandular extracts. Synthetic meds. doesn't cause this probelm.
  
There can be problems using Armour or cytomel (T3) if you have heart issues which has to do with the life span and action of this particular chemical. It has a very short biological life compared to T4, and is also the form of thyroid hormone immediately used by cells. The T4 is continuously converted into T3 in the body as the body needs it. When you swallow a pill with T3 in it (whether it is Armour or cytomel) you are providing a spike of hormone that will be immediately used in cell metabolic functions. It could be that your body does not need the T3 at that point in time, but it gets it anyway. It is difficult, then, to provide enough of a constant of the hormoen, in the background, to avoid ups and downs. In someone with a any type heart issue, these ups and downs and create problems.

In an overall  test, there was little to no evidence that a combination of T3 added to thyroxine provided therapeutic benefit. Additional randomized control trials of L-thyroxine alone vs. thyroxine plus T3 did not show any clinical benefit of T3 supplementation, Treatment of hypothyroidism with excess T3 has potential risks.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, states:
"Combined Thyroxine/Liothyronine Treatment, T-4 and T-3, Does Not Improve Well-Being, Quality of Life, or Cognitive Function Compared to Thyroxine Alone".

[bizwiz12751]

The use of Armour vs Synthroid or Synthroid/Cytomel combination depends on the individual that is taking the medicine. Most patients only need Synthroid since the body converts T4 to T3. In some cases, like myself, Synthroid/Cytomel combination works the best since I'm having a hard time with the conversion. When I spoke with my endo regarding Armour, he wasn't against taking it, however, he stated that in his experience Armour was harder to regulate and that we should give Synthroid/Cytomel a try first because of the many dosage variations available. Personally, I think it's a matter of trying the simplest first (Synthroid) and if that doesn't work then try the next available alternative.

[venora]

Thank yall I knew graveslady would have the 411.

Love Venora

[kanawah]

Visit the "stopthethyroidmadness' web page.  It has a lot of comparisons, and user experience information.

[GravesLady]

The best drug is the drug which safely makes you feel your best. And there's no predetermined formula to tell which drug will be the best for you, until you try them all, find optimal doses, and see how you do over time.

Synthroid , Unithroid, Levoxyl and Levothroid thyroid hormone medications are not a chemical meant to trick our system in any way.  It is not toxic like other medications since it is made the same as our naturally occurring thyroid hormone.

T3: is no "magic" pill that will necessarily make you feel better. For some T-3 might work while others T-3 might not. I have heard of persons having to go off of it after a period of time because it was creating heart issues. Plus ending up with the same symptom as the reason for going on T-3.
Some people can not tolerate the smallest dose of T3, even cutting the smallest dose in half and developing some heart issues. When going off the T3, the heart issues went away and they felt better and felt good on T4 alone.

Armour:  Pork allergies  may make this supplement problematic for some. There are some patients and practitioners who are also concerned about these products due to fears of prion-related diseases such as Mad Cow Disease, despite manufacturer assurances that these products are safe.

Influx of T3 (Armour has a 4:1 ratio of T4 to T3 while the human body is more like 9:1) will accelerate  heart rate and cause defibrillation (excuse spelling). It's not the Armour per se -it's the T3.  
Armour Thyroid will initially make people feel better, but over time, the level of tissue t3 builds up and then you feel bad again. Because the proportions in Armour are approx 80% T4 and 20% T3, does not match the body's natural state, which is approx. 98% T4 and 2 % T3. T3 levels get too high, and then you feel bad again. So when starting Armour it is possible to have a few good weeks of feel good, then then for it to seem to wear off.  Usually the reason is that the initial boost is from the T3 addition, but then the crash is because the T3/T4 ratio is not optimum for your body.

I have read, taking T3 in pill form is like swallowing uppers because there's a immediate rush, and then a quick down-turn  and it can have serious, adverse health consequences. I heard it called cocane of thyroid drugs.

Here is smothing else to consider if lactose:
Synthetic T4 - Eltroxin, Levothroid, Levoxyl, Oroxine, Synthroid, UnithroidMost brands: contain lactose as a filler.   Levothroid and Levoxyl do not.

Synthetic T3 - Cytomel, Tertroxin, Cynomel : Contains lactose as a filler

Synthetic T4/T3 - Thyrolar:  Contains lactose as a filler
Desiccated thyroid - Armour, Thyroid, Derived from pigs:
Doesn't contain lactose.

I suggest going to Government sites and/or thyroid orginartions and medical association for your information.  Below are just some sites.

British Thyroid Foundation  http://www.btf-thyroid.org/index.htm

American Thyroid Associatrion http://www.thyroid.org/patients/faqs/hormonetreatment.html

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, history of:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desiccated_thyroid_extract

All Thyroid  http://www.tsh.org/disorders/hypothyroidism/bestrxhypo.html

Dr. Koop http://www.drkoop.com/ency/93/guides/000038_7_4.html

Thyroid Federation International http://www.thyroid-fed.org/publications/neweng.html

My Thyroid http://www.mythyroid.com/optimalthyroid.html

The Journal of linical Endocrinology & Metabloism  http://jcem.endojournals.org:80/cgi/content/abstract/88/10/4543

Good Luck

[mel44]

Synthyroid cytomel vs armour, It is all trial and error. I have been on synthroid for 15 plus years and have been fine just adjusting doses here and there,now after turning 44 my hormones are changing . I now take synthroid 125mcg and 12.5 mg of cytomel in the afternoons. The combination works best for me, Armour made me gain weight. Every BODY is different. I also added progesterone cream and testosterone cream compounded at the pharmacy where I work to meet my hormone needs, by zrt testing,\
Mell44

[mel44]

By Mel44

Again it all is trial and error and depends on the person. You can experiment and find what works for you.
What works for me, probably will not work for you.
Sounds like GraveLady has her knowledge down pat.
I know I have read many thyroid books and there are manys different cases.

[mel44]

By Mel44
Yes taking large doses of cytomel might be like taking uppers but not small doses.
Body builders take high doses like 100mg plus twice a day , that might be a high.
I take 12.5 mg of cytomel and it does not give me a high.
Before you judge , again every BODY is different.

[stella5349]

"I have read, taking T3 in pill form is like swallowing uppers because there's a immediate rush, and then a quick down-turn  and it can have serious, adverse health consequences. I heard it called cocane of thyroid drugs."

LET'S GET THE REFERENCES ON THAT QUOTE PLEASE!!

This quote above is insane. There is no such data that T3 ( ARMOUR) can be referenced like that above.

[stella5349]

Verona,

I'll give you the skinny - on a personal note.

"For me" -- going on Armour was a life saver. I got my head back and my life.

It's all about how YOU do and being able to find the right treatment for YOU.

[Smilerdeb]

Weren't you the person who attacked me (very viciously I might add) in a posting here for having RAI?
Maybe I have the wrong person but dont think so.
Your posting caused so much upset that you was banned from here for a while.
Personally...I think each to their own.
Whatever gives you quality of life.

Copy and paste is a great tool lol.

[stella5349]

My Dear friend Deb..

I love ya 2 pieces......

She got you too hey??

I had my ups and down w/ her too.

[Smilerdeb]

Yes Stella.....GravesLady was one of the first people who is total anti-RAI and makes sure she puts the fear of God into you.
People like that arent even worth a mention so I cannot be bothered with her copy and paste comments.

As per usual...my comments are that you will never know unless you try.
If it works then great!
If it doesnt then you try another thing until you DO get quality of life.
If Cytomel and Armour do the trick then so be it.
Its quality of life that matters in my books...not quantity or biased opinions.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion...just as I am entitled to mine.

Life is for living...not stressing over what the next person thinks :)

[stella5349]

for the record on that post from GL - she quotes:

"Armour:  Pork allergies  may make this supplement problematic for some. There are some patients and practitioners who are also concerned about these products due to fears of prion-related diseases such as Mad Cow Disease, despite manufacturer assurances that these products are safe. "

HOW IN THE WORLD CAN YOU GET "MAD COW" FROM A PORK PRODUCT??

Her advice is absolute nonsense! and has no grounds of any credible info when it comes to a natural desiccated thyroid medication.

Shameful, - just shameful.

[Smilerdeb]

Sorry..laughing here with the comment.....

HOW IN THE WORLD CAN YOU GET "MAD COW" FROM A PORK PRODUCT??

I just had to laugh.

Do we 'oink.oink' or 'moooooo' lol

Oopps soz Stella lol (hehehe)

[skeeterknitwit]

You guys are funny!  Mad cow from pork?
But on a more serious note - it might be possible.  Our wild elk population is suffering from an epidemic of CWD - Chronic wasting disease.  The disease is in the same family as mad cow.  Biologists say it is safe to eat the meat after it is properly cooked.  I'm not taking any chances!  No wild meat for me!

[Smilerdeb]

I have heard that Mad Cow Disease is not actually a virus or a bacteria...it is caused by a toxin called Preons.
Preons are found in dead dying tissue in animals....mostly found in Cows.

Its the 'cleansing' process of the animals body disposing of the waste that causes the disease.
Interesting stuff when you really get into it.

[hope4thegoodstuff]

You go girls...Heeee.

I was on cytomel for a whopping two weeks.  I was very tired and that was my dr's prescription....Trust me there was no rush....there was no drug haven splendor of energy.  And trust me...at that particular point....I would have wished for that greatly.  I really did not notice that much difference.  After I was off of it for a day...that's when suddenly I felt really decent and it lasted almost a week....Yippeee!!!!  Now I'm pretty much back to my new normal.  Sometimes not a lot of energy, but way better than pre surgery.  Oh yeah....Synthroid 150/cytamel 10 mcg? a day taken in two doses of 5...

[Venora Moonwind]

hee hee That was me when I first came on medhelp. Then one day I couldnt log on under Venora so I went with Venora moonwind.

The more I read about armour and the fact my doc wouldnt put me on armour because he said it wasnt a good choice for me for cancer suppression.

I decided that piggy hormones werent for me. ( dont forget I am bi polar lol  I get lots of funny ideas)
.
stop the madness people where just a little too bizzare for me. I do great on my synthroid." If it aint broke dont fixit" is what I say.

Just thought I would let yall know

Love Vee,
Hee hee

[Smilerdeb]

Yeah I do great on my Thyroxin too but wouldnt hesitate to try something else if I didnt.
Each to their own I say...whatever works and yes Venora..if it aint broken, dont fix it :)