Switching from Armour to Synthroid

[GC805]

I've had Hashimoto's for 20 years.  The first 10 years, I was prescribed Synthroid and it worked well until it no longer kept my levels stabilized.  After about a year of continually changing doses, my doctor switched me to Armour and it worked like a dream until about 15 months ago.  I've spent the last 15 months bouncing around with different dosages and we never were able to level me out.  Now, he's just switched me back to Synthroid.  I had been taking Armour as follows:  90mg every other day, alternating with 105mg (90 + 15) every other day.  The Synthroid dose he's put me on is 150mcg.  Two questions:  1.  Is this dose equivalent?  2.  This is day 5 after the switch.  I gained 8 pounds overnight and my body has swollen up.  My face is puffy - I cannot open my eyes fully and I'm unable to get my rings on my fat little fingers.  Your thoughts?

GC805

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

There may be a transition period, the 150mcg is the right dose to change to -- but you may need to give it some more time.  Armour can be more difficult to regulate, but you may find the same with synthroid -- so it will be important to try different things to see what is best for  you at this point.

[iunderstand69]

I am hoping you can help me.  I just recently started taking armour yesterday.  I keep reading to split the dose, but my dr. or my pharmacist have neither one heard of doing that.  Should I just do it?  Should I take armour with or without food?  I keep hearing different on that.  I know you said to split it every 4 hours.  I am on 120 mg.  (2 grains)  what do you think I should do?  Thank you!  Oh, I have also have severe facial swelling.  Please tell me more about Celtic Sea Salt.  Thank you, thank you!!!

[graywings]

I am not a doctor, but I would sure switch back to Armour.  Make sure you are splitting your doses throughout day and not just taking all at once.  If you have digestive issues, which most hypo's have, disolve under your tongue or cheek & gum.  Split your doses as 60 mg, 30 mg and 30 mg, about every four hours.  It's hard on the body to take all at once.  Also you might want to try Celtic Sea Salt for the swelling, but it might be a reaction to the synthetics in Syncrap.  I would also guess you could not stabilize your thyroid meds because you have an underlying issue of adrenals or low Iron or low B12.  Would be to your benefit to have these checked and be sure to have ferritin checked, not just a CBC panel.

graywings