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Is anyone on Armour?
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...
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...
Mother in law has been on Armour for 40 years. She has no problems and refuses when they try to put her on synthroid. I love that woman. She is getting very frustrated by the fact that I have yet to find a dr that will even prescribe Armour thyroid. When the rumors started going around again last fall about Armour being discontinued, I emailed Forrest Pharm. A very nice man returned my email almost immediately and advised of the re-tooling of his plant. He advised that if my mother in law was getting to where she needed to have more meds, to have the pharmecy contact him and he'd see that she'd get a drop-shipment asap. He never once bashed the competition and I have given that opportunity to do so as I'm thinking the competition doesn't hesitate to do so. That part is just my opinion. I could be wrong. I guess. I was once. : ) : ) : P
We are on Armour Thyroid - 1gr/day. No problems so far after a couple of months and we are both feeling better.
In November 2004 I had gastric bypass. I lost a total of 80 lbs. In July of 2005 I went to the doctor because of the heavy bleeding in my perods and persistent spotting in between. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto disease. I was on synthroid since September of 2005. Since being on synthroid I have gained 30 lbs, have hair loss, dry skin, constipation, and had to take iron for severe anemia. I finally asked my doctor almost 2 month ago if I could change to Armour. So far so good. I believe I have slowly started to lose some weight (4-6 lbs) and am no longer feeling constant constipation. I am not too sure yet about the other symptoms yet. I really think if you don't feel good on what you are taking you HAVE to ask them to change you. I have been told over and over to ask your doctor to go more by how you are feeling and not just by the labs. Hope this helps someone and I hope Armour keeps helping me. Thanks
I have been on a long journey to find out why I have been sick, in pain, and exhausted since I was 17. I am currently 31, a wife and mother of 2.
I have been diagnosed with: Fibromyalgia, PCOS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Carpel Tunnel Sydrome, Fibrocystic Breast Disease, Multiple Dermatitis issues, Depression, Neuralgia, Chronic Fatigue and I am sure some others that I am not remembering.
The last Rheumatologist I went to told me that I was there for drugs (I didn't ask for any), that he wouldn't not sign my disability papers (I hadn't filed) and that I was "FAT" which he wrote on a dry erase board in four inch letters and circled three times. He also asked me if I had even graduated high school (college) and if my husband had a job and was fat too. He said I had depression and just needed an SSRI.
I left there sobbing. My husband wanted to go back there and punch him out.
I have been accused of drug seeking, depression, and just being a bored housewife. I was made to take a battery of Hep tests everywhere I went because I have tattoos.. I am a body piercer. All my tats are from VERY CLEAN shops where they use autoclaves and sterilized EVERYTHING. Needless to say they were negative.
My old Primary Care was the one who found the PCOS but didn't know anything furthur about it and refered me to a university clinic that I never was accepted to.
MY BREAKTHROUGH came when I was referred to a PC who the girls in my office were seeing for weight loss. In desperation I made an appt with her.
We talked for awhile and she told me she knew exactly what was wrong with me - but was going to do a battery of testing - blood and saliva and see me back in a month. She assured me that she knew I was sick and suffering and was so sorry no one had been able to help me before.
My tests showed abnormally low progesterone and dhea. I had low vitamin D and virtually no vitamin B. She prescribed me bioidentical hormones and sent me to a compounding pharm in my town who is GREAT and charges me next to nothing.
Last month I went in and told her I had spent a week in bed - i just couldn't get up- and she ordered more tests. She said it sounded like my thyroid. Now, on the first battery of testing my thyroid panel was fine ( every thyroid testing every done on me has been normal) which we were both suprised about since both my mom, grandma and g-grandma had some form of thyroid issue.
But, when I went back today - guess what- I have hypothyroidism!
I start on 30 mg Armour (1/2) gr tomorrot and my progesterone was upped do 150 when I told her I could feel it wearing off during the evening.
I am overweight and she did prescribe me something to help me lose weight and is slowly weaning me off the pain pills I have had to take for years just to perform routine daily activities and make it to work.
Also, my daughter who is 12 got her test results today and her PCOS numbers are way worse than mine. I guess we will be checking her thyroid regularly as well. When I told her no more sugar she sobbed like a baby because she is exhausted and that is where she gets all of her energy from.
Anyhow, sorry to go on and on. Thanks- any advice or comments would be great. I am so glad this forum exists!! :)
I have been diagnosed with: Fibromyalgia, PCOS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Carpel Tunnel Sydrome, Fibrocystic Breast Disease, Multiple Dermatitis issues, Depression, Neuralgia, Chronic Fatigue and I am sure some others that I am not remembering.
The last Rheumatologist I went to told me that I was there for drugs (I didn't ask for any), that he wouldn't not sign my disability papers (I hadn't filed) and that I was "FAT" which he wrote on a dry erase board in four inch letters and circled three times. He also asked me if I had even graduated high school (college) and if my husband had a job and was fat too. He said I had depression and just needed an SSRI.
I left there sobbing. My husband wanted to go back there and punch him out.
I have been accused of drug seeking, depression, and just being a bored housewife. I was made to take a battery of Hep tests everywhere I went because I have tattoos.. I am a body piercer. All my tats are from VERY CLEAN shops where they use autoclaves and sterilized EVERYTHING. Needless to say they were negative.
My old Primary Care was the one who found the PCOS but didn't know anything furthur about it and refered me to a university clinic that I never was accepted to.
MY BREAKTHROUGH came when I was referred to a PC who the girls in my office were seeing for weight loss. In desperation I made an appt with her.
We talked for awhile and she told me she knew exactly what was wrong with me - but was going to do a battery of testing - blood and saliva and see me back in a month. She assured me that she knew I was sick and suffering and was so sorry no one had been able to help me before.
My tests showed abnormally low progesterone and dhea. I had low vitamin D and virtually no vitamin B. She prescribed me bioidentical hormones and sent me to a compounding pharm in my town who is GREAT and charges me next to nothing.
Last month I went in and told her I had spent a week in bed - i just couldn't get up- and she ordered more tests. She said it sounded like my thyroid. Now, on the first battery of testing my thyroid panel was fine ( every thyroid testing every done on me has been normal) which we were both suprised about since both my mom, grandma and g-grandma had some form of thyroid issue.
But, when I went back today - guess what- I have hypothyroidism!
I start on 30 mg Armour (1/2) gr tomorrot and my progesterone was upped do 150 when I told her I could feel it wearing off during the evening.
I am overweight and she did prescribe me something to help me lose weight and is slowly weaning me off the pain pills I have had to take for years just to perform routine daily activities and make it to work.
Also, my daughter who is 12 got her test results today and her PCOS numbers are way worse than mine. I guess we will be checking her thyroid regularly as well. When I told her no more sugar she sobbed like a baby because she is exhausted and that is where she gets all of her energy from.
Anyhow, sorry to go on and on. Thanks- any advice or comments would be great. I am so glad this forum exists!! :)
Hi all
Please also get your Vit D level checked out. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's nearly 3 years ago and felt terrible on the synthetic medication they prescribed me since. I have recently been diagnosed with Vit D deficiency and low Calcium and have started on 1000 iu D3. Since then, my nails have started to grow and my depression has gone. My Endo said Vit D is really important in stabilising the thyroid gland. I have also started on Armour as the synthetic drugs did nothing for me and made me feel like death. So far so good but I notice the website I buy my Armour from is out of stock (Inhouse Pharmacy). I have ordered Naturethroid instead - is this the same as Armour? I have to buy Armour as I live in the UK and no doctor will prescribe it for me.
Please also get your Vit D level checked out. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's nearly 3 years ago and felt terrible on the synthetic medication they prescribed me since. I have recently been diagnosed with Vit D deficiency and low Calcium and have started on 1000 iu D3. Since then, my nails have started to grow and my depression has gone. My Endo said Vit D is really important in stabilising the thyroid gland. I have also started on Armour as the synthetic drugs did nothing for me and made me feel like death. So far so good but I notice the website I buy my Armour from is out of stock (Inhouse Pharmacy). I have ordered Naturethroid instead - is this the same as Armour? I have to buy Armour as I live in the UK and no doctor will prescribe it for me.
Really hope you'll feel better... I am only in the process of finding out what is 'wrong' with me. So far, only diagnosis is 'hypothyroidism' but I'll have to get "everything" checked including adrenals and all other hormones (progesterone, testosterone, etc.) I do agree with an earlier post where some mentions trying only one thing at a time so you know what is affecting what. My situation is so dire, I have to try two things at a time and so I am using a progestrone cream that has helped me for over 8 years with my PMS and endometriosis and I am on my fourth day of Armour for my hypo diagnosis. I have been depressed for years and had all the other 'classic' symptoms so I am getting a full panel of T's tested (Total and Free T3 and Total and Free T4 and TSH) but I'm suffering so much from the apathy and depression that my NMD started me on the Armour so I could try to see if it would help me. The good thing is that if I do need it, it'll help me and I don't have to wait the 10 days for the test results to get back... If I don't need it, my starting dose of 1 grain won't harm me. I do take my Armour sublinguilly (sp?) which is under my tongue, because it seems to absorb bettter into my system. When I took it on an empty stomach, I noticed no change whatsoever. I'm still demotivated, hands are cold, of course my nails and hair need time to grow, but I'm hopeful.
I wanted to tell you that since you have a good relationship with your endo, perhaps you could ask about the pros/cons of armour since your symptoms haven't completely disappeared. That might be a good segue to get them to talk it over with you at least. If they are closed to the idea of Armour, you'll be able to find out. If they will not prescribe it at all to you, maybe you can find an NMD that will work together with you and your endo doc.
ANY thyroid med CAN CAN CAN affect your heart so whomever you find that is willing to try you on Armour should be aware of your heart history AND be aware of your body's response to the Synthroid. However, since you have successfully tolerated the synthroid, you may do just fine on the Armour. Remember, Synthroid has only T4 so your body & heart may not have much of a response if your'e not converting the T4 to T3. Since Armour has T3 in it, your body/heart may respond DIFFERENTLY so you'll want someone that will wallk hand in hand with you through the process so you can safely see if Armour will work better for your system.
For adrenal info see: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/adrenal-info/
As for the acupuncturist's assistant, you can say that you really appreciate the suggestion and are in the process of researching the benefits and risks. That should be the end of the story for any pushiness. Sounds like they only want to help, but that's the approach I'd take. Besides, let them know you have a family history of heart issues and that you really need to take the time to become informed before making a possible switch from the Synthroid to Armour.
Also, if it helps for finding an NMD to work with, I did this post on www.medications.com:
I did for a post/blog on this site for Gardisil (which I will NOT be giving to my teen daughter): The Gardisil may have something to do with your daughters symptoms, I would look for an NMD that would be willing to evaluate your daughter further, not just look at "normal ranges" on lab reports and say "all is well." A good NMD will take labs into consideration, of course, but really seek to find the source of the symptoms. Check your state Board of Naturopathic MDs to see what NMDs are currently licensed and practicing near you. NMDs can have the same "bedside manner" issues as allopathic MDs (arrogance, too busy to listen, etc.) so try to "interview" some before making a final selection on who to bring your daughter to. It may take a 2-4 weeks or so to find someone you feel comfortable with, but its worth it in the end. When calling NMD offices, ask if they do FREE consultations (usually 15-20 minutes). If they do, take advantage and get an appt asap. Be sure to have all questions and any medical files with you ready to go so you maximize the free appt. If they do not offer free consults, try to research the doc to find out as much as you can and find out their fee structure. Sometimes the fee structure is great, but the info on the doc is so sparse that, without the free consult, I would vote no and screen them out. I recently found a good doc with a good fee structure and can hopefully get some of the money back via Out of Netwk insurance filing. NMDs are known for wanting to find the source of symptoms and seeking to identify any relationships to symptoms rather than bandaiding the symptoms independently...
Best thoughts for you.
I wanted to tell you that since you have a good relationship with your endo, perhaps you could ask about the pros/cons of armour since your symptoms haven't completely disappeared. That might be a good segue to get them to talk it over with you at least. If they are closed to the idea of Armour, you'll be able to find out. If they will not prescribe it at all to you, maybe you can find an NMD that will work together with you and your endo doc.
ANY thyroid med CAN CAN CAN affect your heart so whomever you find that is willing to try you on Armour should be aware of your heart history AND be aware of your body's response to the Synthroid. However, since you have successfully tolerated the synthroid, you may do just fine on the Armour. Remember, Synthroid has only T4 so your body & heart may not have much of a response if your'e not converting the T4 to T3. Since Armour has T3 in it, your body/heart may respond DIFFERENTLY so you'll want someone that will wallk hand in hand with you through the process so you can safely see if Armour will work better for your system.
For adrenal info see: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/adrenal-info/
As for the acupuncturist's assistant, you can say that you really appreciate the suggestion and are in the process of researching the benefits and risks. That should be the end of the story for any pushiness. Sounds like they only want to help, but that's the approach I'd take. Besides, let them know you have a family history of heart issues and that you really need to take the time to become informed before making a possible switch from the Synthroid to Armour.
Also, if it helps for finding an NMD to work with, I did this post on www.medications.com:
I did for a post/blog on this site for Gardisil (which I will NOT be giving to my teen daughter): The Gardisil may have something to do with your daughters symptoms, I would look for an NMD that would be willing to evaluate your daughter further, not just look at "normal ranges" on lab reports and say "all is well." A good NMD will take labs into consideration, of course, but really seek to find the source of the symptoms. Check your state Board of Naturopathic MDs to see what NMDs are currently licensed and practicing near you. NMDs can have the same "bedside manner" issues as allopathic MDs (arrogance, too busy to listen, etc.) so try to "interview" some before making a final selection on who to bring your daughter to. It may take a 2-4 weeks or so to find someone you feel comfortable with, but its worth it in the end. When calling NMD offices, ask if they do FREE consultations (usually 15-20 minutes). If they do, take advantage and get an appt asap. Be sure to have all questions and any medical files with you ready to go so you maximize the free appt. If they do not offer free consults, try to research the doc to find out as much as you can and find out their fee structure. Sometimes the fee structure is great, but the info on the doc is so sparse that, without the free consult, I would vote no and screen them out. I recently found a good doc with a good fee structure and can hopefully get some of the money back via Out of Netwk insurance filing. NMDs are known for wanting to find the source of symptoms and seeking to identify any relationships to symptoms rather than bandaiding the symptoms independently...
Best thoughts for you.
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