Armour thyroid?

[bubblepony]

Why does everyone want armour thyroid and why do so many doctors not want to prescribe it?

[stella5349]

The major reason why T4 synthetics may not work for some is b/c it 100% relies on conversion from the liver to make active T3 to balance thyroid hormones. If the liver is unable to convert the med for what ever reason then the ratios of hormones are not correct for the body.

So many - that lose their function either to surgery - RAI - or natural Hashimoto disease, killing it off - and placed on synthetic T4 only find that now the liver is relied upon to do ALL the job that their thyroid did too. The thyroid releases direct T3 - no one can argue that. So when the gland is no longer functioning -no more direct T3 is coming from that and the amount of thyroid T3 hormone - is now dependant on the liver and the T4 meds.

Swollowing the synthetic T4 meds add to the depletion of hormones too. The acid in the stomach will deplete the meds ability to release a higher amount of T4 - that proceeds to the liver for conversion.

That is why you find many are in a high dose of T4 medication. There is no ability to take it sublingually - nor would anyone want to do this alone with a T4 med - so swollowing causes depletion right away.

Its a blessing to find a person with the ability to manage hypothyroidism with a T4 medication, but for so many - it's just not enough. On the flip side of this - adding T3 or going to natural desiccated T4/T3 combos must be watched closely too. The heart is directly effected with T3 hormones. It's thought that T3 (active) is present in many heart failure patients. Studies have proven that a vast amjority of heart failure patients have a higher risk of death - if there is too much active T3 in the system.

we require care from our professionals - all around care - and too just say - T3 is dangerous is wrong. Managing T3 medications for people who need it is what should be taught in these universities.

[LazyMoose]

It would be nice to finally find out why synthetics don't work well for some people. I went round and round with docs on my journey to try dessicated, and of course they all said synthetics duplicated what my thyroid used to make. I then reminded them that my thyroid did not make fillers and release activators ect. just hormone. They could not answer that one. They forget about basic chemistry 101. My GP said he was specifically trained in medical school NOT to use dessicated as it was dangerous. This was a very respected University mind you! That is what we are up against!

It may be the other stuff besides the hormone in the synthetics that our body rejects. Example: synthetic resin stints for arteries mimic a real arteries, yet they need to be coated with a compound to trick the body into thinking the stint is a real artery. Sometime this tricks the body, sometimes the body reject it. A stint really is a synthetic 'artery' that is supposed to work the same. So much for synthetics being the cure all.

[magpieannie]

I'd get off Armour and switch to compounded dessicated ASAP! If you do well on it, great!  If not, Naturethroid/ Westhroid (dessicated porcine) (RLC Labs Pharm.Co.) will be available by mid November, and many people do great on it! They (RLC) are having production issues (supply&demand) due to the issues with Armour (Forest Labs Pharm. Co.) and everyone switching over to them all at once. Their hormone is the same as always and are not having any issues with the FDA.

[stella5349]

There is a bunch of information available and yes the Armour was changed. For most - it has not been pleasant.

I can provide you with alot of information . PM me if you wish to look at some of it.

[freedommouse]

I have been on Armour for two years, before that Synthroid for 3. In the last few weeks all of a sudden I felt like my dose was really high. I had not lost any weight but have been back in the gym for 6 months. While I haven't lost weight I have lost fat and gained muscle. How will that affect the dose? I tryed lowering the amount from 90 mg to 75 by cutting the pills down. What a disaster. My hair is leaving my scalp hurts all the time. Memory, what memory! The list of changes is long. Now I am on the lowwww end of the spectrum. Life suffers all around me while I try to be normal.
I will be going to the Dr next week but am dissapointed with the absence of knowledge on my GPs behalf. I have been going to him since the Endo Dr wouldn't perscribe Armour. It has been a crazy few years since I had my thyroid out due to Hasimotos Disease.
Also has any one heard that Armour changed its formula in the past few months. I think they changed the binder. That changes how some people uptake the hormone. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
                         Thanks in advance! Lea (Freedommouse)

[Smilerdeb]

I am glad that you are doing good on Armour.
I have nothing against it and wish Australia would 'lift' the ban as it originally was first manufactured in New Zealand.
I have the attitude that if something doesnt work for you then you find something that does...and dont stop until you do get it.

As I said in my posting..if T4 med didnt work for me, then I wouldnt hesitate to take T3 med and if I was able to take Armour..I most certainly would.
I may well just be 'one of those people' who may need the help of a pig with a new vlave somewhere down the line.
I dont' knock' anything that gives quality of life.

I just feel for those that could do well on Armour here in Australia but cant get it.