Is anyone on Armour?

[tiredpuppy]

Is anyone in our group on Armour and if so are you good with it? What are pro's and con's of say Armour and or Synthoid etc.
I go to Endo on monday so I want to be intelligent about this...thanks
Lisa

PS got my stiches out today and my scar line is absolutely flawless... it will heal up great inspite of blowing the first stich set. Doc says my site looks good inspite of added trauma...

[EmpatheticJenny]

I have just one more comment, Lisa: Good luck!!! Of course, you are opening the way for good luck by educating yourself and doing your own thinking, which is an excellent way to get the best care possible. As happened with your scar line, though, may all the parts of the process over which you have no control go very, very smoothly for you.

Crossing my fingers on your behalf,
Jenny

[Mavs3982]

Good post, Jenny.


That was the thing. I thought Armour would be better just because it was natural. I didn't research it as well as I should have before I took the medicine.

The other thing that is interesting is prior to starting Armour, I had my Thyroid Peroixidase Antibodies tested nad Thyroglobulin Antibodies tested. I didn't have any at the time I started Armour.

Now....I was on Armour for about a year and I began to have more problems in Nov of last year because my TSH got high. We ran antibodies and they came back totally abnormal. More than likely, this has something to due w/ my immune system and thyroid disease, however, some people think that thoses who take Armour DEVELOP ANTIBODIES because it is made from a pig gland and the body can view Armour as an invader and "attack" your thyroid. It is just something my doc mentioned and it makes sense. There is no way to find out but your body could react to Armour as if it is something foreign.

[EmpatheticJenny]

Wow, that is a sobering thought that Armour might actually cause antibodies. It is another reason to think twice about taking it.

I can understand why someone would favor Armour because it seems natural; the idea that natural is better is such an appealing idea. It is interesting how many flaws the idea turns out to have, though, when it is examined closely. In my younger days, I did not realize this at all. It is something I have learned over time.

Your posts have been good ones, too, Mavs, and I am sure it has helped Lisa to have every variety of fish come jumping out of the water after she threw out a line! This forum really is a priceless resource.

Best wishes to you both,
Jenny

[tiredpuppy]

Whoa now that info on the antibodies was pricless as I had Hasi's pre-TT so that means the antibodies are there already and I never gave thought to the idea that they might react to the Armour as an invader thyroid, Things that make you go Ummmm! You two have been so helpful, I am really blessed by so much experience here...Ok so Jen your on Levo, and Mavs you take Synthroid, do either of you use Cytomel and have either of you tried the Thymoral (this has the T3T4 combo in one pill)?
Lisa

And ps DANG GOOD Posting from both of you!

[GravesLady]

I have never taken Armour.  I have MVP and I am a vegetarian, but here is my four cents worth of gathered information.

Some people develop TED -  Thyroid Eye Disease,  when they take animal-based extracts such as Armour, because the immune system  react to foreign proteins found in glandular extracts. Synthetic meds. doesn't cause this probelm.

"Armour Thyroid tablets should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disease and it may increase the symptoms of diabetes, mellitus, diabetes inspidus or adrenal insufficiency".  

GL,
1990 - Hyper/Graves'
1997 - Dia/RAI
1997 - MVP - Mitral Valve Prolapse
1999 - TED - slight Thyroid Eye Disease, one eye only
1999 - Visible Nodule (suspect Marine-Lenhart-Syndrom/hyperfunctioning nodule)
2000 -  SAS  - Short Attention Span
2002 -  IED  - Intermittent Explosive Disorder (Graves' Range)

[tiredpuppy]

Thanks to for your contribution. I am pretty sure I will steer away from the Armour now. I think the autoimmune/ antibody aspect of my disease is a strong enough reason to avoid it. What replacment therapy are you using? You didnt mention in your post. Again I ask all of you  if any one is using the combo drug Thymoral that has T3T4. or Levo/Synthroid with Cytomel??? Thanks again for all your help!
Lisa