Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Armour thyroid 90 mg -HELP, VERY TIRED!

Dear Doctor/Forum,

I was dx'd with Hashimoto's on my 40s B-day, and placed on Synthroid. Did not do well on it, and decided to switch to armour. I am currently on 90 mg on Armour a day, and my TSH is going up and down all the time. I cruising around TSH 4.0 all the time, and cannot go beoyng 2.0.. My doctor has increased the dose only once, went from 60 mg to 90 mg. My hands are cold and needles in fingertips all the time, I cannot use my fingertips for fine movements.. Terrible.
I am TIRED all the time, if I could , I would sleep ALL DAY LONG...

Any thoughts? Do I need other supplements or do I need to up my Armour level?

Please, help me - I am desperate.
Thank you.
41 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I was diagnosed hypothyroid in my 30's and prescribed Synthr0id.  The Synthroid had side effects, felt edgy the whole time and I gained too much weight. I decided to change to Armour, 90 mg and felt better and didn't have that edgy feelings.  Recently I had that cold hands and feet, also  losing my hair which I never had before.  I have increased my dosage and it has really helped me. Energy level is better, clear thinking, Hair loss is also less. Bottom line is how you feel on a certain dosage. By the way I am 67 now. Hope this helps.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
You have done what should be done for hypothyroid patient"  increase med dosage as needed to relieve hypo symptoms without gong so far as to create hyper symptoms.   If you don't mind, I have a couple of questions for you.     Do you take you thyroid med in the morning before the blood draw?  If so,  note that the ATA/AACE Guidelines for Hypothyroidism say it is better to defer until after the blood draw fo avoid false high results.  Next what is your dosage of Armour?   Also, please post your FT4 and FT3 test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report.  If tested for cortisol, Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, please post those as well.  
Avatar universal
Since test results and reference ranges vary from lab to lab, you always need to compare results to their range.  So, please post your thyroid related test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report.  

Was the cause for you needing thyroid meds identified?  Do you have test results and their ranges from before starting the thyroid med?  If so, please post those as well.  

Be aware that for the future, it would be best to request testing for Free T3 and Free T4, rather than Totals.  Only the Free portions of Totals are biologically active and therefore more important to know.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My levels were all normal except for total 3.  That number is 424 so my doctor has increased my 30mg dose to 60mg.  I'm confused though because doesn't the T3 mean I already have too much thyroid?  My TSH is at .89 on my current dose and most importantly, I feel good!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My levels were all normal except for total 3.  That number is 424 so my doctor has increased my 30mg dose to 60mg.  I'm confused though because doesn't the T3 mean I already have too much thyroid?  My TSH is at .89 on my current dose and most importantly, I feel good!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
http://www.mercola.com/article/hypothyroid/treatment.htm
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
http://www.mercola.com/article/hypothyroid/treatment.htm
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
This is an extremely old thread; none of the previous posters are active on the forum anymore, so I'm sure no one will respond to your comments.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
No one if referring to you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Cytomel is NOT Armour.  Where on Earth did you get that information.  Cytomel is strictly T3.  Armour is T1, T2, T3 and T4 from a pig!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am one of those people who cannot handle T4. Not in synthroid, Not in Armor.

After TEN YEARS OF THIS MADNESS I switched to T3 only therapy.

Immediately the sickness, the seasick, the buzzing went away. Suddenly poof I was normal and not falling over at work.

My thesis... in some people, as the liver gets sicker and sicker (or as you gain weight) your ability to manage T4 gets worse and worse and worse. It matters not if you use armor (which is MOSTLY T4) or synthroid (even worse)

search for "T3 only therapy"
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It would be great if doctors started treating patients' symptoms and not just prescribing med. to adjust their TSH level to get it within the so called "normal" range.  Unfortunately there are far too many doctors who are still in the latter mode.  You may need to start searching for the right kind of doctor.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you Stella,
I learn every day as I go..
But how many endo docs titrate Armour the way you have described?
My endo sees me every 2 months, and it is interesting that it should be done every 2 weeks.. I would like to do that , yet, I wish my PA/others doctors are willing to increase armour from 90 to 120 even at 1.6 TSH.
Do you know that current "normal" ranges for TSH were increased to 4.1 ( I believe, I am correct). This was related to me on my last endo visit.
I hate to be treated as number and not a symptom..
THanks for reply.
Helpful - 0
393685 tn?1425812522
Pooling is where the T3 hormone becomes stored. Sometimes the T4 will convert into T3 and just sit there instead of the body using it up for it's purpose.

Armour has direct T3. it does not require a full conversion as a T4 med only does. The pooling can happen with both medications. Either by T4 meds converting into T3 and sits - or with direct T3.

It is a fact and my doctor discusses this with me regularly that Armour requires small increase dosages due to this direct T3 to reach optimal levels and to eliminate symptoms. And because of that direct T3 - the patient must be given small amounts for them to adjust with follow up testing and "discussions" on how they have been feeling during the increases.

If you are following the process of small increased dosages and still experiencing symptoms then additional testing should be done.

Obviously you were not in this type of treatment because you were on 60mg of Armour for a long time without any increases. If you remain hypo ( as your TSH says in numbers were ) for long periods of time - other glands (adrenals) are demanded to work harder and then they can fall short of working properly too.

A 24 hr saliva test is usually the best test if you are still symptomatic to check for cortisol levels- checking to see if there may be an adrenal problem. It also is very helpful finding out if there are other issues going on too.

If a problem is found with the adrenals - a back off of Armour is needed and a therapy plan should be put in place to repair the adrenals first before continuing the Armour increases. Once the adrenals are in balance the increase of Armour begins again to see if you levels become optimal for you.

I feel appetite suppressants are not a the way to go right now - If your Hashi is still out of whack and you are still in a hypo state with symptoms - adding this could interfer with understanding the real issues. I think you would need further testing maybe a Vit B panel or other tests first. And most definately you must get back in check with the levels of hormones that is right for you before you see any changes in weight naturally.

If your exhausted by a daily routine - taking app supps will only exhaust you more and push the glands to worker harder ---- then to rest and repair the condition. They will not concentrate on the weight issues per say - they will cover up the problems the other glands are having and will not increase metobolism

I was mentally absorbed with my weight gain and no matter what I did while I was still not in a Free T3 range for my body - I continued to pack on weight - I followed a doctor's 800 calorie diet and still weighed in 10 pounds more after 6 weeks of trying and I was exhausted.

Again I will state here  - I am at a TSH level that my body works best for me. I am now finally losing weight and I do not have the symptoms of Hashi - hypo and have not for over 6 mths. I still swing a bit during my cycle times - but I find that being normal for a 40ish yr old women entering menopause.

My TSH and Free T3 level now would be challenged here as being in a hyper state - but I experience no symptoms - I am losing weight and I followed the proper increase levels - after repairing my adrenals to achieve that.

Kitty's reference range is exactly where you should look to start. She stated the range of where most patients feel at their best. But sometimes being in those ranges - some patients still feel the need to WANT to feel even better. Sometimes finding your EXACT TSH and  Free T3 number - ( with little wiggle room) is best.

Armour - working with your doctor can give you that benefit. If you begin to see that you feel best on (example) 90mg most of the time - but sometimes 75 is better at a given time of the month or even 120 mg- then you and your doctor can discuss this and be able to be flexible with your meds to adjust when you know you need to do that.  The direct T3 flexibility is key to rid symptoms. The is the way Armour has worked for decades.

Try to stay on track on not only getting a TSH ran but also at every testing time - get the Free T3 and a Free T4 test. This shows exactly the whole story on what is going on with your medication and your ability to track you symptoms. Keep a log handy and write down you labs and symptoms at the time of the lab and get to know what levels start to help rid your symptoms  Since you are Hashi's - keeping track of your TPO is important too.

I hope you feel better. It takes time but many here can offer support to you. See if you doctor will read up on the Armour and use it in it's most efficient way to finally get you better and feeling healthy- there are many sites available for you to take to your doctor and talk over with them.


.


Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you, AR,

I will check out the topic tomorrow.
Yes, I hope I can get as close to be "normal" as it is possible while having Hashi.
None of my family members that I am aware of having this problem. No one has hypothyroidism. It is very frustrative, I am glad to have more people with the same problem. My weight is also a biggest problem - I have gained about 25-30 pounds since became diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease.
Hope, we all get to feel better soon :) Thanks for support.
Helpful - 0
213044 tn?1236527460
There is a topic about pooling going on now.
A little long, but good.

Armour is a good name brand drug.

I don't know what to tell you about the other drugs you mentioned. I'm not sure if they would conflict with your thyroid condition and medication or not.

I hope you get your levels to a good place soon.
I hope I do, too.  :o)  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am on Armour Thyroid, I guess the brand name by Forest Pharm.
I believe this is a brand name Armour. Correct me if I am wrong.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
are you in generic armour or the actual armour brand, i was on generic armour and my tsh went up and down, but once my dr. checked brand medically necessary it has stayed at 3.1 for a while
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
There are two questions I wanted to ask, one of them is  posted.

- What is pooling

- I have up-coming appt with weight management center. Obviously, they going to suggest and prescribe me some appetite suppresants. How do , guys, feel about it? As long as I am within my " medicaly suggested" lab levels, can I take phentermine or meridia? The last one ( Meridia)  was offered to me by my primary care provier sometimes ago, but I have refused due to the VERY FIRST  TSH levels of  > 8.0
Thank you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Dear AR-10,
Thank you for all posting.. That was the reason I was posting my response - I did not know if this was related to me or just a general statement. I do appreciate your input to any of my postings. Thank you, kindly.
PS. I would be scarry to take anything on my own. But I would not be surprized if many people out there are lonely and without any health insurance that DO order and medicate themselves to best of their abilities and finances..
Helpful - 0
213044 tn?1236527460
I was not questioning whether or not you were seeing a doctor. I can tell by your tests that you are seeing a doctor.

I am just a little shocked that we are now telling each other how much perscription drugs to take. You should discuss dosage changes with your doctor.

We are here to offer support and suggestions. Share knowledge and new developments. Not tell people to up their perscription drugs without seeing a doctor about it.
Helpful - 0
314892 tn?1264623903
With Hashi or any hypothyroidism, the best TSH is 0.5-2.0 according to the ATA. :

http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/Hypothyroidism%20_web_booklet.pdf

see page 18 in particular
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Also , what is pooling????
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Can someone, please, post on what is the BEST possible lab results/numbers for Hashi - patient?
Just wondering. Thanks a lot :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Dear ALL,
Hi, AR- 10
You are confusing me... Are you asking me if I have a doctor. I am sorry, I did not understand your posting,
Of course, I have a doctor, otherwise, I would not take Armour.

The rx was written on the pad from the endo PA that I see since February of 2008.
The initial dose was 60 mg , and recently increased to 90.

My last lab was done by the friend that works in the lab, and I have asked her to run just TSH, since this was done " under the table.."  The first lab results are from my official PA, and it was done in August, so TSH 4.1 and the rest of the labs are from August month 2008. The vewy RECENT TSH is 1.6 was done by my friend, and this was NOT an official order from MD. I just asked her to do me a favor to see where am I standing at this time - 09/13.
My next OFFICIAL appt with PA is in October, I believe the end of the month.

So, there is a doctor in the house,and yes, there is a presciption and all that comes with it... This is all I have so far. Thank you.
Helpful - 0
2
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community

Top Thyroid Answerers
649848 tn?1534633700
FL
Avatar universal
MI
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.