Aa
Amour Thyroid
Why are so many doctors against Rxing Amour Thyroid for hypothyroid. If there is even a slight possibility it may help me to feel better I want to try it. What loss is it to them to just let someone do a trial run....I bet if they felt half of what I feel like with the same condition they would exhaust every option.
It obviously works for some people...
Has anyone had trouble with their doctors and eventually convinced them?
It obviously works for some people...
Has anyone had trouble with their doctors and eventually convinced them?
What I see here is a very healthy exchange of a WEALTH of information by so many members! This is just awesome. What we need to keep in mind is that Armour is an FDA approved medicine and that medicine, along with others which are more widely used and/or accepted within society and medical professionals, doesn't make any one better or worse .. it is a very highly individualized basis between a patient and a doctor to determine what works best for whom, where, and how and why. That is my opinion as a patient who has been on Synthroid and on this community for over 2yrs now.
If we take all that has been written in this one thread alone, and take a moment to realize that even with the one small regret of posting the word "All" vs. "Some", we need to focus in on the WEALTH of information here and not focus on whether one is better than the other and open ourselves up wide for controversary which is not the intent of the original poster or any of the posters in this thread.
Even less traditional means, such as Dr. Weil, are of interest to many people; my best friend believes and refers me to his website all the time to look @ his thoughts vs. traditional medicine as I coordinate my care with my own physician.
So let's maybe move fwd to take all of our passion and drive and energy for healing ourselves with what works best for all of us, no matter if it's Armour, or Synthroid, or another med, and work together to share the knowledge and the websites, and our thoughts rather than look @ every written word and pull it apart and expand on it's merits or discount its faults.
We want to be able to be together as a unit here on thyroid; not be separated among groups of who takes what drug and why one is better than the other.
It's fine to give opinions................it's fine to ask ?'s and wonder if it's accurate, but let's be careful to keep it as a source of information and not turn into a flame or controversary that makes the entire post get zapped by the mods and then we lose it all and nobody gains anything worthwile but wasted time typing words at their keyboards.
Just my two cents as I read through this highly informative thread today,
C~
co-CL Thyroid
If we take all that has been written in this one thread alone, and take a moment to realize that even with the one small regret of posting the word "All" vs. "Some", we need to focus in on the WEALTH of information here and not focus on whether one is better than the other and open ourselves up wide for controversary which is not the intent of the original poster or any of the posters in this thread.
Even less traditional means, such as Dr. Weil, are of interest to many people; my best friend believes and refers me to his website all the time to look @ his thoughts vs. traditional medicine as I coordinate my care with my own physician.
So let's maybe move fwd to take all of our passion and drive and energy for healing ourselves with what works best for all of us, no matter if it's Armour, or Synthroid, or another med, and work together to share the knowledge and the websites, and our thoughts rather than look @ every written word and pull it apart and expand on it's merits or discount its faults.
We want to be able to be together as a unit here on thyroid; not be separated among groups of who takes what drug and why one is better than the other.
It's fine to give opinions................it's fine to ask ?'s and wonder if it's accurate, but let's be careful to keep it as a source of information and not turn into a flame or controversary that makes the entire post get zapped by the mods and then we lose it all and nobody gains anything worthwile but wasted time typing words at their keyboards.
Just my two cents as I read through this highly informative thread today,
C~
co-CL Thyroid
One question on the Armour "dangers" If your doctor Dr Weil has "decided " that Armour is unsafe due to animal protein concerns?!?!?"
- why is the FDA still allowing it to be produced? Why is it still being manufactured? Why are people not dying on the med and it isn't in the news?
There was just a huge recall of beef byproducts here Don't eat hamburger remember?
- Why is Westroid still in exsistance?
It's not accurate information - Please research more before throwing this out there.
It would be black listed so quick if it was a danger to anyone. As well --- would using animal hearts - veins and muscles for operations.
Please - read more on the medication.(s)
Thyrolar is also a good choice - different - but good IF you want to try a T3/T4 med and make a "choice" not to take dessicated thyroid medication.
One golden rule to consider before common thyroid patients start a controversial post like this- is :
If a medication is not working for you AS A PERSON - as you feel a change might be helpful - then research and learn how you can improve your life.
Whether on Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid , Euthroid, Thyrolar, Armour - Westroid Cytomel and on and on through out the world
Find what works best for you.
- why is the FDA still allowing it to be produced? Why is it still being manufactured? Why are people not dying on the med and it isn't in the news?
There was just a huge recall of beef byproducts here Don't eat hamburger remember?
- Why is Westroid still in exsistance?
It's not accurate information - Please research more before throwing this out there.
It would be black listed so quick if it was a danger to anyone. As well --- would using animal hearts - veins and muscles for operations.
Please - read more on the medication.(s)
Thyrolar is also a good choice - different - but good IF you want to try a T3/T4 med and make a "choice" not to take dessicated thyroid medication.
One golden rule to consider before common thyroid patients start a controversial post like this- is :
If a medication is not working for you AS A PERSON - as you feel a change might be helpful - then research and learn how you can improve your life.
Whether on Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid , Euthroid, Thyrolar, Armour - Westroid Cytomel and on and on through out the world
Find what works best for you.
To AR-10
As I stated in my first post the site is Dr. Weil.com which discusses the animal protien concerns... and there have been other studies done showing the combo seems to work better for SOME (I guess I should have put the word SOME in there, as it is true we are not all cut from the same cloth) I was merely stating some info I have researched and received. I personally know people who had no results with the one hormone approach, and when they switched to the combo approach their lives turned around for the better. Again for "them" A friend who was trying to get pregnant for years had no idea what the problem was...she was only on the one Hormone tx for 8 years with no results...when she switched to the combo, within 6 months she was pregnant after trying for 8 years. Sure it could have been a fluke. But she says she feels 100% better now than with the one hormone tx. As I said I am only adding some info I have personally experienced and have read and heard from prominent docs I respect here in the states. My own doctor just yesterday told me he only uses the combo Thyrolar now because of the higher rate of his own success with HIS patients. I never meant to inferre it works better for "EVERYONE"... as the Chemo I am taking does not work for everyone....but it is working for me. I am sorry you read it that way...that was not my intention.
I was simply stating why it has lost favour with many doctors here, as that was the initial question on the thread... why are some doctors reluctant to prescribe Armour ? According to SOME doctors it is the the animal protein risks and factors. But I hope it is working for many no matter what is in it. We all need to make our own decisions on how we choose our tx. The more informed we are the better chances we have. Just my humble opinion. Here in the states (not sure if you are in the states) It is easy enough to google all this on Thyrolar and the difference between combo versus one hormon therapy, as well....there will be a myriad of info there... Proof?? Well that is always in the pudding anyway! Good Luck.
To Sisuhealer... I too am a massage therapist and certified Nutritionist/ Alternative therapist...but since the chemo I have taken a hiatus from that (no energy to be on my feet all day like that) and needed REAL insurance to cover all the chemo costs. So I am back teaching again.
I hear you sister! It is frustrating. When I started the chemo my doc had me stop all my supplements, except the Omega 3's...he is big on those and very open to alternatives BUT not while I am on tx. because they were too risky to mess up my tx and tax my liver etc. I have to stay clear of iron and many supplements have iron in them. So I try to eat as healthy as possible and get my nutrients from good ORGANIC food. I have 2 more months of Chemo...and my labs have been good in that regard, except this bomb of hypothyroidism just dropped on me the other day which my doc warned from day one is a big side effect of the kind of Chemo I am taking, along with other sx.. But I had no choice. Some people get hyper/othyroidism from Interferone some don't and get other sx. It is like Russian roulet. I have yet to get the antibodies test back...I am curious what they will show...if I had a predisposition or is it all from the chemo.
Like finding a good doc...sounds like you are really passionet and frustrated about the one you have now and it is certainly your right to find someone you are comfortable with if what you are doing now simply is not working for you.
Are you in an area that you have many choices? You are seeing an Endocronoligist right? Not just a regular doctor. That is key. You mentioned Doc not Endo that is why ask.
I don't know of any purely alternative treatments for it. We woman really need to get those Hormones in balance especally in pre menopause. Which is around the corner for you and I ...Unless I hear something really contrary than I have, I am just going with the Thyrolar combo therapy....I really trust my Doc and Dr. Weil.
Dr. Christine Northrope is another wonderful reference for woman...if you have not allready read any of her books like "Womens Bodies Womens Wisdom" She is on line and often on PBS Television as well.
I know it is frustraing...I was a health nut for years...never had a disease or anything except a broken arm at 6! When out of the blue on a routine physical test i found out I have this disease...came out of no where no symptoms nothing...and had to go on Interferone, which to me is poison to the max, after trying to stick to the alternatives as much as possible, it killes me every time I take that shot and take those pills. I know what they are doing to my body and immune system. BUT they are killing the Dis-ease as well. So something to be positive about!
Hang in there sister! I hope you find a better endo...sounds like it is time!
I am here for you! These support groups are truly life savers!
D.T
As I stated in my first post the site is Dr. Weil.com which discusses the animal protien concerns... and there have been other studies done showing the combo seems to work better for SOME (I guess I should have put the word SOME in there, as it is true we are not all cut from the same cloth) I was merely stating some info I have researched and received. I personally know people who had no results with the one hormone approach, and when they switched to the combo approach their lives turned around for the better. Again for "them" A friend who was trying to get pregnant for years had no idea what the problem was...she was only on the one Hormone tx for 8 years with no results...when she switched to the combo, within 6 months she was pregnant after trying for 8 years. Sure it could have been a fluke. But she says she feels 100% better now than with the one hormone tx. As I said I am only adding some info I have personally experienced and have read and heard from prominent docs I respect here in the states. My own doctor just yesterday told me he only uses the combo Thyrolar now because of the higher rate of his own success with HIS patients. I never meant to inferre it works better for "EVERYONE"... as the Chemo I am taking does not work for everyone....but it is working for me. I am sorry you read it that way...that was not my intention.
I was simply stating why it has lost favour with many doctors here, as that was the initial question on the thread... why are some doctors reluctant to prescribe Armour ? According to SOME doctors it is the the animal protein risks and factors. But I hope it is working for many no matter what is in it. We all need to make our own decisions on how we choose our tx. The more informed we are the better chances we have. Just my humble opinion. Here in the states (not sure if you are in the states) It is easy enough to google all this on Thyrolar and the difference between combo versus one hormon therapy, as well....there will be a myriad of info there... Proof?? Well that is always in the pudding anyway! Good Luck.
To Sisuhealer... I too am a massage therapist and certified Nutritionist/ Alternative therapist...but since the chemo I have taken a hiatus from that (no energy to be on my feet all day like that) and needed REAL insurance to cover all the chemo costs. So I am back teaching again.
I hear you sister! It is frustrating. When I started the chemo my doc had me stop all my supplements, except the Omega 3's...he is big on those and very open to alternatives BUT not while I am on tx. because they were too risky to mess up my tx and tax my liver etc. I have to stay clear of iron and many supplements have iron in them. So I try to eat as healthy as possible and get my nutrients from good ORGANIC food. I have 2 more months of Chemo...and my labs have been good in that regard, except this bomb of hypothyroidism just dropped on me the other day which my doc warned from day one is a big side effect of the kind of Chemo I am taking, along with other sx.. But I had no choice. Some people get hyper/othyroidism from Interferone some don't and get other sx. It is like Russian roulet. I have yet to get the antibodies test back...I am curious what they will show...if I had a predisposition or is it all from the chemo.
Like finding a good doc...sounds like you are really passionet and frustrated about the one you have now and it is certainly your right to find someone you are comfortable with if what you are doing now simply is not working for you.
Are you in an area that you have many choices? You are seeing an Endocronoligist right? Not just a regular doctor. That is key. You mentioned Doc not Endo that is why ask.
I don't know of any purely alternative treatments for it. We woman really need to get those Hormones in balance especally in pre menopause. Which is around the corner for you and I ...Unless I hear something really contrary than I have, I am just going with the Thyrolar combo therapy....I really trust my Doc and Dr. Weil.
Dr. Christine Northrope is another wonderful reference for woman...if you have not allready read any of her books like "Womens Bodies Womens Wisdom" She is on line and often on PBS Television as well.
I know it is frustraing...I was a health nut for years...never had a disease or anything except a broken arm at 6! When out of the blue on a routine physical test i found out I have this disease...came out of no where no symptoms nothing...and had to go on Interferone, which to me is poison to the max, after trying to stick to the alternatives as much as possible, it killes me every time I take that shot and take those pills. I know what they are doing to my body and immune system. BUT they are killing the Dis-ease as well. So something to be positive about!
Hang in there sister! I hope you find a better endo...sounds like it is time!
I am here for you! These support groups are truly life savers!
D.T
Maybe you need a strength between 75mcg and 88mcg.
"Natural" means nothing to me.
"Bio-identical" means nothing to me.
A medication that works means a lot.
"Natural" thyroid hormones are not "bio-identical" (that means a lot to some people), nor do they contain the exact amount of T4 and T3 that a human thyroid produces.
"Bio-identical" thyroid hormones are synthetic, but they are exactly the same hormones your body produces.
Some people need a little T3 added to the T4 med to compensate for the fact that their body does not convert a straight T4 drug efficiently enough to provide an adequate level of T3.
Most people do not have that problem.
Unless you test high on your Free T4 and low on your Free T3, taking T3 can be problematic. When I say "Test high" and "test low", in this post I am talking about results that are within lab limits, but not optimal.
If you are bouncing back and forth between 75mcg and 88mcg, then the thing to try would be to find some middle ground by taking one strength a few days a week and the other strength a few days a week.
Have you discussed this option with your doctor?
Do you ever get a Free T3 test run?
Do you understand the difference between "normal" levels and optimal levels?
This is where most people get into trouble. They don't understand what optimal levels are, and often don't even look at their own lab results. They sit there and let the doctor tell them what is what, and often the doctor doesn't have a clue what is truly what.
I'm not saying that is your problem. I am just saying it is often a problem because people expect doctors to know everything.
Switching medications will not help if you and your doctor do not understand that you are supposed to hit the center of the dartboard, not just someplace on the dartboard.
Just my two cents.
Equally applicable to any thyroid medication you choose.
:o)
"Natural" means nothing to me.
"Bio-identical" means nothing to me.
A medication that works means a lot.
"Natural" thyroid hormones are not "bio-identical" (that means a lot to some people), nor do they contain the exact amount of T4 and T3 that a human thyroid produces.
"Bio-identical" thyroid hormones are synthetic, but they are exactly the same hormones your body produces.
Some people need a little T3 added to the T4 med to compensate for the fact that their body does not convert a straight T4 drug efficiently enough to provide an adequate level of T3.
Most people do not have that problem.
Unless you test high on your Free T4 and low on your Free T3, taking T3 can be problematic. When I say "Test high" and "test low", in this post I am talking about results that are within lab limits, but not optimal.
If you are bouncing back and forth between 75mcg and 88mcg, then the thing to try would be to find some middle ground by taking one strength a few days a week and the other strength a few days a week.
Have you discussed this option with your doctor?
Do you ever get a Free T3 test run?
Do you understand the difference between "normal" levels and optimal levels?
This is where most people get into trouble. They don't understand what optimal levels are, and often don't even look at their own lab results. They sit there and let the doctor tell them what is what, and often the doctor doesn't have a clue what is truly what.
I'm not saying that is your problem. I am just saying it is often a problem because people expect doctors to know everything.
Switching medications will not help if you and your doctor do not understand that you are supposed to hit the center of the dartboard, not just someplace on the dartboard.
Just my two cents.
Equally applicable to any thyroid medication you choose.
:o)
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's two years ago. My doctor has had me on Synthroid all this time, moving me from 75 mcg to 88 mcg and back and forward, and back and forward....I am losing my patience with all of this. I am also on .5 mg of Estradiol. I had a complete hysterectomy at 35, oh, I am 44 now. I cannot lose any weight, just keep gaining. I am very active. I am a licensed massage therapist and on my feet all day.
I really want to go natural, if there is such a thing. I know my current doctor will not even talk about "natural", so I have decided after the first of the new year, I am looking for a new doc. Enough is enough! Just concerned that I will be going into the same situation with a new doctor.
I really want to go natural, if there is such a thing. I know my current doctor will not even talk about "natural", so I have decided after the first of the new year, I am looking for a new doc. Enough is enough! Just concerned that I will be going into the same situation with a new doctor.
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