Nature-Throid and Armour

[compnet]

Hello everyone.  Just wondered, are these two medicines considered better, generally, since there is T1, T2, T3, and T4?  And is natural more effective?  In the beginning, is it best to just accept whatever med the doc prescribes and later on ask to try these two and see if they help more?

Thank you.

[LazyMoose]

Goolarra has some very solid points.

I have tried all of the available hypo thyroid meds available in the US for the last two years, and one from Canada - with the one exception being compounded.

Some individuals do better on dessicated, I'm included, BUT if synthetics worked for me, I'd drop dessicated in a heartbeat. Why? Its been a hassle to get. I even have my own back stock in the freezer in case that shortage happens again, who says it wont?

Some people do great on synthetic T4, if you are one of those people, that would be awesome, and the logical first step. If it doesn't work then try others. If your not deathly ill, its worth you time to try the simplest route first.

Keep in mind many doctors have brand favoritism - thats not good. A good doc is open to all brands.  

Hypo Thyroidism is not complicated for the majority (75% ?)- they generally don't seek web sites for help, they dont need to. The people that HAVE or HAD complications are the ones here, and some stick around to help others figure out what works and what dosent. It is my firm belief that thyroid disease could be divided into more categories than what the medical community currently acknowledges. Untill then, we have the internet.

[compnet]

Wow.  Thank you for the great post.  Sounds like a very complicated disorder to treat.

[goolarra]

I believe NT is becoming available again, but availibility is still an issue.

I know you're probably tired of hearing me say this (LOL), but once again this is a very individual decision.  What works well for some, doesn't for others.

The recent shortage of dessicated products is one reason to consider other options.  IF (that big, fat IF, again!) synthetics work for you, they are arguably more consistently available and easier to regulate than dessicated.  T4-only meds (often the first meds tried) are probably easiest.  If there are conversion issues, T3 meds (Cytomel) can be added later.  The advantage to synthetic T3/T4 combos is that the T3 and T4 can be manipulated separately, allowing more flexibility.  Some people cannot tolerate the amount of T3 in dessicated.

That said, many people only do well on dessicated; synthetics just do not work for them.  

My recommendation is to try T4-only therapy first.  Add some T3 meds if a conversion issue becomes evident or symptoms are not relieved on T4-only.  If these fail, then try dessicated.  

Once again, we can all tell you what works for us, but you have to find what works best for YOU.  I'm on T4 only and feeling fine...

[compnet]

I just read an old post that because so many patients were switching from Armour to Nature-Throid that the pharmacies were out and on back order.  Is it still hard to get?

[compnet]

Very good point.  Thank you for the helpful information.  I will try on Nature throid if I ever get to a diagnosis, which I hope is soon.

[foreverlostmom]

From personal experience I would say Nature throid is much better then anything else I have tried.  Armour(reformulated), synthroid, levothyroxine, cytomel.

I don't think it is good to just accept what a doctor gives you if it is not what you would like to do.
If you think you will do better on these why waste time on the others?  And it is easier to choose one and stick to it change around makes it hard to get to the right dose.