switch from armour to synthroid?

[peggy64]

I was wondering if it might help if I switched from armour to synthroid, due to the amount of anxiety I am having. Has anyone had this problem?

I have been on armour 2.5 months, went hyper due to to much meds, have been off for 1 week then started back at a low level. Anxiety noted 20 minutes after taking med.

Any experiences would be appreciated.

Peggy

[peggy64]

To Mzzchief,

thanks for that info. That really answers my question about synthroid being better than armour in that case.

[Mzzchief]

T3 , the ingredient in Cytomel, is rapidly metabolized by the body. That's the rush you're feeling, its like dumping gas on coals. A healthy thyroid only produces 20 percent of its total thyroid hormone as T3. The rest is produced from T4 by de-iodinases in the cells which remove an iodine molecule.

IMO if your having rushes 20 minutes after your meds, a T4 product like Synthroid may be a better choice for you.

Another suggestion is to make sure you are getting enuf magnesium in your diet, and taking fish oils. Both these help with mood/anxiety.

[AR-10]

Thanks for the clarification, Liz.

[peggy64]

to msscarm

synthroid is T4. cytomel is T3.  My brain is so off track right now. It is a big wreck.

[Liz1900]

Hi,

   Just a quick response concerning slow-release.  This type of medication is prepared by a compounding pharmacy.  I have looked into it the last few days because I was put on Cytomel recently and it makes me feel so much better, but has a lot of side effects which make you feel nervous, anxious, heart rate increase, etc.  They are hard to deal with, but compared to how I was feeling, I feel I need to find a way to take it.  The compounding pharmacy has to get a prescription from your doctor, if you doctor agrees to this, and they can put any amount of T3 in it with some type of filler that doesn't allow it to release very quickly and cause the "rush".  That is about all I know right now.  I have it "out there" as a next step if I can't get the right amount to make me feel OK without the side effects.  Hope this helps.

Liz

[Misscarm]

We do have similar situations!! I know this may be a stupid question, but--I keep reading about T3. Is Synthroid T3? Or is it different?
I know right after my thyroidectomy the endo had me on Cytomel for a short period of time. This med made me very nervous-like I was constantly "adrenalized"!! Is Cytomel T3?
Also, do you ever feel like you can't concentrate?
I am going to college and studying is almost a joke--I can't remember anything!

[peggy64]

you feel very edgy, nervous, anxious, highly agitated, very restless.

[MKlacza]

Can I ask what an adrenal rush feels like??

[peggy64]

I know what you mean about mixing meds. I hate to take the alprazolam as it is highly addictive, but the anxiety gets so bad it is and the adrenaline rushes are horrible. The alprazolam does not help with the rushes too much though.

[AR-10]

I'm taking Synthroid, and playing the adjust the dose every few months game. I had RAI to kill my thyroid in January, and I am still dithering with blood tests and such.

I've been on Toprol XL for two years now to control my heart rhythm, and I still get palps and irregular blips. Sometimes I think my heart med is making things worse instead of better.

I have had superficial testing of my adrenals, and the doctor is satisfied they are fine. I am not convinced that is true, but I got tired of asking for tests.

I think a lot of us have mild adrenal problems that get overlooked because it doesn't show up as adrenal failure.

As for anxiety, I don't know if it's the disease or the meds, but mine is hanging on. I take Alprazolam throughout the day to aleviate it, but I still have anxiety. I suppose the Alprazolam helps, but sooner or later I want to stop taking it.

A lot of my anxiety could be situational, because of other stressors in my life.

I'd like to get rid of the Toprol XL, and the Alprazolam, and the Ranitidine for my stomach. Then I could have a better idea of what my thyroid meds are doing for or to me. You mix enough different meds together and it becomes difficult to tell what is helping and what is hurting.

[MKlacza]

I just saw a holistic Dr and he said that many times someone has the heart palps on the Armour or Synthroid... he said their adrenals could be fatigued. He tested me last week and I am waiting results...

[peggy64]

I think I will wait a few more days(due to being hyped by to much) to see if the anxiety, heart palps go away, and then if not Synthroid.

AR-
Are you on synthroid or armour?

has anyone else had to change due to anxiety type symptoms?

Have I told you guys how much I appreciate you and  this forum> let me tell you again,

Thank you for all your input.

[AR-10]

I don't know much about the slow release T3. I'm not sure if that is Cytomel, or if they have come out with something new lately.

I just have seen mention of slow release T3 medication a few times in the last month or so on this board.

I know Toprol comes in a "regular" form, and then there is Toprol XL. The XL is a slow release formula. I just use that as an example.

Maybe Cytomel is slow release, or maybe they have put out a new pill that is slow release, or it might be something from another manufacturer.

Beats me.

Maybe someone better informed can give us the scoop.

[peggy64]

to MKlacza,

what was the name of the slow release T3?

[MKlacza]

You know what I dont understand?? I was on Synthroid and would have stayed on it if my Dr had suggested the slow release T3... Is this a new form of the T3? Sounds like that might be they way to go considering its SLOW ACTING.. Well.. if this Armour doesnt pan out, that will be my next experiment!!

[AR-10]

Some Endo don't really know much about anything other than diabetes. You have to know about thyroid issues to tell a good Endo from a so-so one.

I want my life back, too. :-/

[AR-10]

I agree with MKlacza. The T3 may be temporarily flooding your system with T3 and giving you a little more boost than you need.

You're splitting the dose and taking it twice a day, right? Are you keeping a close eye on your Free T3 to see that it doesn't rise to much?

A drug like Synthroid along with a slow release T3 med may give you better results. There is no way to really find out other than to try it. You may find you don't need the additional T3 after doing a little trial and error.

[peggy64]

I saw an endo yesterday. First time. Was not impressed. He stated that the symptoms of hypo and hyper were not similar at all. I think he was more into Diabetes.

All I know is I want my life back.

[MKlacza]

Hmmm... mine was just the opposite. I was on the Synthroid with Anxiety and then changed to Armour and the anxiety is gone. I get anxiety here and there, but Dr thinksmy adrenals are fatigued so now I am waiting for those results!!

I've been on the Armour for 6 weeks now. I know the T3 is fast acting so maybe some cant handle that much??