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I want to take Armour thyroid
I have Hashimotos and have been on Synthroid (200 mgs) for 13 years. I still have wt problems, dry skin and hair, and low energy. I use to be a real dynamo. It occurs to me that they say Synthoid covers T4, but I am wondering if it does. People on Armour thyroid seem to have more energy. My sister was dx with Hashimotos about a year ago, they put her on Synthroid and she didn't like it. So he put her on Armour and she has lots of energy.
I went to 4 Endocrinologist and NOT ONE would allow me to go on Armour! They say it's not pure, but people took freeze dried thyroid for 100 years and did fine on it. My sister doesn't have a wt problem. I think its because the drug companys push Synthroid because it costs more, and Armour is not marketed as much. I have to pay full price for Synthroid b/c of my health care plan. I was thinking about changing to Levothyroxine (generic) but was told it is not as strong. Now I just don't know what to do. Please advise.
Holly
***@****
I live in northeast PA on NY border.
My Hashimotos attacked my thyroid. I started out with the usual thyroid symptoms, weight gain, hair loss, fatigue, etc. but my blood tests showed my thyroid functions in the "normal range". I continued to get worse and as luck would have it I heard about a doctor in a small town in New York called Montour Falls - it's about an hour from where I live. You may have heard of Watkins Glen as they have a Nascar race there every year. Montour Falls in the bordering town to Watkins Glen. The doctor believed that you could have thyroid problems even if your levels fell in the "normal range". When he left the area he transferred me to the doctor who was taking his Hashimotos patients. Dr. William Saks is an OB/GYN at September Hill in Montour Falls. He shared Dr. Parker's beliefs. He was also able to do all the GYN testing to rule out GYN problems causing the symptoms I was having and helped prove that my GYN problems were being caused by the Hashimotos.
I was having several problems associated with the thyroid, i.e. difficuly swallowing, I couldn't lay down for more than 1 to 2 hours a night so I was sleeping in a chair as I was having difficulty breathing, my voice lowered by at least one octive, I was hoarse all the time and at times had to really push to be heard, the area around my thyroid swelled. These symptoms got worse even after going on Armour thyroid, even perimenopause and I was only in my early 40's. An antibody blood test in October 2002 showed my levels to be 4 times normal and the surgeon decided to go in and at least relieve the pressure on my vocal chords and esphogaus. When he opened me up he discovered that 2/3'ds of my thyroid was in bad shape and that I was full of infection from the thyroid area up the left side of my neck to my jaw.
He removed the bad part of the thyroid and clean out the infection. Immediately I felt so much better. My breathing is back to normal (my husband was amazed right after surgery cause he could see my chest move up and down). Once in a while I still have problems swallowing - usually liquids - so I watch how fast a drink from a cup. My body is slowly killing the rest of my thyroid and I'll be on medication the rest of my life.
For every symptom I had to have testing done to rule out other causes. Ear, Nose, Throat specialist because of the swallowing issue and hoarseness. MRI, cat scans, etc. to rule out Muscular Distrophy, brain tumor, cancer, etc.
If the endocrinologist won't put you on Armour talk to your family doctor. I don't see an endocrinologist and never have (they were no help to me). I follow with my family physician. He reviews by blood tests which I have done every 4 months. He's from India so I don't know if that why he feels that Armour thyroid is safe for me to take. He and I have discussed this very issue and he knows that I will not take a synthetic.
I hope you are able to find a doctor who will put you on Armour. Keep looking and good luck.
My Hashimotos attacked my thyroid. I started out with the usual thyroid symptoms, weight gain, hair loss, fatigue, etc. but my blood tests showed my thyroid functions in the "normal range". I continued to get worse and as luck would have it I heard about a doctor in a small town in New York called Montour Falls - it's about an hour from where I live. You may have heard of Watkins Glen as they have a Nascar race there every year. Montour Falls in the bordering town to Watkins Glen. The doctor believed that you could have thyroid problems even if your levels fell in the "normal range". When he left the area he transferred me to the doctor who was taking his Hashimotos patients. Dr. William Saks is an OB/GYN at September Hill in Montour Falls. He shared Dr. Parker's beliefs. He was also able to do all the GYN testing to rule out GYN problems causing the symptoms I was having and helped prove that my GYN problems were being caused by the Hashimotos.
I was having several problems associated with the thyroid, i.e. difficuly swallowing, I couldn't lay down for more than 1 to 2 hours a night so I was sleeping in a chair as I was having difficulty breathing, my voice lowered by at least one octive, I was hoarse all the time and at times had to really push to be heard, the area around my thyroid swelled. These symptoms got worse even after going on Armour thyroid, even perimenopause and I was only in my early 40's. An antibody blood test in October 2002 showed my levels to be 4 times normal and the surgeon decided to go in and at least relieve the pressure on my vocal chords and esphogaus. When he opened me up he discovered that 2/3'ds of my thyroid was in bad shape and that I was full of infection from the thyroid area up the left side of my neck to my jaw.
He removed the bad part of the thyroid and clean out the infection. Immediately I felt so much better. My breathing is back to normal (my husband was amazed right after surgery cause he could see my chest move up and down). Once in a while I still have problems swallowing - usually liquids - so I watch how fast a drink from a cup. My body is slowly killing the rest of my thyroid and I'll be on medication the rest of my life.
For every symptom I had to have testing done to rule out other causes. Ear, Nose, Throat specialist because of the swallowing issue and hoarseness. MRI, cat scans, etc. to rule out Muscular Distrophy, brain tumor, cancer, etc.
If the endocrinologist won't put you on Armour talk to your family doctor. I don't see an endocrinologist and never have (they were no help to me). I follow with my family physician. He reviews by blood tests which I have done every 4 months. He's from India so I don't know if that why he feels that Armour thyroid is safe for me to take. He and I have discussed this very issue and he knows that I will not take a synthetic.
I hope you are able to find a doctor who will put you on Armour. Keep looking and good luck.
Do you live in NJ? I cannot find a Dr. who will even consider putting me on it!
You had Hashimotos and had to get your thyroid removed? Mind if I ask you why? Does Hashimotos lead to this or something?
Holly
You had Hashimotos and had to get your thyroid removed? Mind if I ask you why? Does Hashimotos lead to this or something?
Holly
I have Hosimoto's and I've taken Armour Thyroid since 2000 and will never take anything else. Armour Thyroid is all natural - not synthetic. The doctor who first put me on it only prescribed Armour. He didn't like the long term affects that could be caused by taking synthetics. I had surgery in 2002 and 2/3'ds of my thyroid removed. The surgeon wanted to take me off Armour and put me on Synthroid but I wouldn't let him. I currently take 120 mg's a day and feel great. I haven't had my doseage increased for 2 years and have blood tests done every 4 months. Keep looking for a doctor who will put you on Armour - I swear by it.
Glad you got some great answers from others .. no experience here .. sorry :(
Cheryl
Cheryl
After talking with someone today I was incorrect - it does process in the liver amoungst a bunch of other immune systems. Soory about the error It really bothered me I wasn't sure so I ironically an appointment today and talked it over in depth.
Sorry I was off line yesterday.
Blood work on the free T4 and T3 showed a conversion problem. I believe the conversion does not happen in the liver - the liver disposes meds. I am pretty sure it converts with the pitutary. That part though I am not sure of.
I felt like death. I had no conprehension of anything I and no energy (really !!! I couldn't move for months at times) I was alwys sick - I had bad bowels my GI tract was messed up - I was bearely living emotionally and physically before this was found.
Blood work on the free T4 and T3 showed a conversion problem. I believe the conversion does not happen in the liver - the liver disposes meds. I am pretty sure it converts with the pitutary. That part though I am not sure of.
I felt like death. I had no conprehension of anything I and no energy (really !!! I couldn't move for months at times) I was alwys sick - I had bad bowels my GI tract was messed up - I was bearely living emotionally and physically before this was found.
Well! Thank you so much for an answer! I was about to fill the prescription for generic synthroid. The synthroid costs like 35 a month now, but I am going to stay on it..
If you don't mind me asking, what issues were you having converting T4 into T3? How did you know you were having problems doing this? I've read that the conversion takes place in your liver. I have been told I have fatty liver.. I wonder if mine is converting..? I'm getting complete blood work done tomorrow at Quest.
Thank you so much for your input.
Much appreciated -
Holly
***@****
If you don't mind me asking, what issues were you having converting T4 into T3? How did you know you were having problems doing this? I've read that the conversion takes place in your liver. I have been told I have fatty liver.. I wonder if mine is converting..? I'm getting complete blood work done tomorrow at Quest.
Thank you so much for your input.
Much appreciated -
Holly
***@****
I found a doctor to put me on Armour after 6 years of Synthroid. I have issue with converting T4 into T3 - I went through 4 doctors before I found someone to switch me. I do feel better (in my case) but I truely had a situation that showed on blood tests I was having issues with the conversion process.
It is very tough to find any doctors (especially endo) to use the Armour instead of Synthroid. Recently I went to an endo - who outright refused to treat me with meds and this doctor was a specialist.
There is a directory called Thyroid Disease - Top Doctors Directory. You can look on there to find physicians that can help you find what you are looking for in treatment.
www.about.com / thyroid doctor search can also help you understand the Armour and help find you a doctor that may treat you with it.
Don't do the generic Levo if you can avoid it. It does have consistancy issues and can really bounce you around on your TSH levels each month you refill the Rx.
It is very tough to find any doctors (especially endo) to use the Armour instead of Synthroid. Recently I went to an endo - who outright refused to treat me with meds and this doctor was a specialist.
There is a directory called Thyroid Disease - Top Doctors Directory. You can look on there to find physicians that can help you find what you are looking for in treatment.
www.about.com / thyroid doctor search can also help you understand the Armour and help find you a doctor that may treat you with it.
Don't do the generic Levo if you can avoid it. It does have consistancy issues and can really bounce you around on your TSH levels each month you refill the Rx.
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