Armour purchasing

[redheadaussie]

Hi all! Just wondering how do you Americans get your Armour, or Naturethroid. The T3 component. Do you need a prescription? Can you just waltz in to a pharmacy and get it?
I am, as many of you know, coming to USA in August, and since no doctor here understands the T4 only replacement  is not working for me, I thought I might get some T3 whilst I am there. I will make a daily journal and see what difference it makes, then when I come home late Oct will hopefully be able to kick a few botty bots.
   Also how much do your doctors charge for a visit and blood draw? Obviously I won't be covered by my health insurance whilst I am there.
  Thanks guys!

[RussAdams]

Red:

There's a great resource over at About.com by Mary Shomon.  

One is an entire area devoted to finding a good doctor.  And in that area is a list of doctors who will prescribe Armour.

Link to the doctor's listings that prescribe Armour, listing US docs first then International:

http://thyroid.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=thyroid&cdn=health&tm=11&f=11&tt=14&bt=1&bts=1&st=32&zu=http%3A//www.thyroid-info.com/topdocs.htm

And the page for Australian docs:

http://thyroid.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=thyroid&cdn=health&tm=11&f=11&tt=14&bt=1&bts=1&st=32&zu=http%3A//www.thyroid-info.com/topdocs.htm

You might want to contact the doctors office a couple weeks before you come to the states.  With that much advance notice you should be able to get an appointment.  Blood tests take about a week.

I'm new to medhelp, and to thyroid problems... still trying to find appropriate doses for my own hypothyroid condition.

Good luck!

Russ

[96744mom]

Here in Hawaii I just told my dr I wanted to try Armour and he wrote me the Rx. I went to the pharmacy and picked it up. no problem. I don't know about seeing a dr. without insurance in the US. we have free clinics for people without insurance but I've never been to one because I've always had insurance. the only thing I can think of is to see a dr. in the US and tell him/her that you forgot your meds then they can draw blood to see what your levels are and make the appropriate Rx. tell the dr. you want armour. I know I felt better on Armour but then I got pregnant and the dr said it's easier to adjust dosage of levothyroid than armour while i'm pregnant so he switched me back. anyway I wish you luck!

[Smilerdeb]

Stella...Docs are totally against T3 dosing here...full stop :(

It doesnt affect me but it would affect many others and like RedHead said...it is hard to find a Doc who will prescribe it.
With compounding Doctors and Chemists,,,,,the cost of them are unreal and just for a consultation is costs around AU$190 a visit.

I was given some advice though Red by my Doc and by the Compounding Centre in Spotswood.
They both said to make an appointment with a compounding Doctor..get a prescription...photocopy it before getting it filled and from them on, the Doc (GP) can write out the same prescription each time.
Worth a try if all else fails.

My Doc wont prescribe T3 but is prepared to write a script if you have a photocopy of the original one.
Worth a try.

Dr. Harold Lifson
Tel :[phone]

Takes at least 2 weeks to get in to see him though.
Hes been my Doctor since my 2nd child was born (26 years).
Hope that helps.

[stella5349]

I don't think it will be as easy as you think Red :)

It's a script and you have to find a doctor willing to script to for you.

I don't think you will get that service here - since your Aussie doc has you on T4.

I'd do some checking to see if you can find a doc where you will be staying.