Those of us on Armour- #2

[laura1967]

Here is #2 thread that goes along with our first one which was taking too long to load due to it being so long!!
For anyone new, there is a lot of posts to read in the first thread and then please post on this one. Lets keep it going full of great information and support!!

[gimel]

It doesn't make any sense if the TSH result was really 4.5.  Could it have been .45?  If so, this would be more consistent with the Endo wanting to lower your meds.  Of much more import than TSH would be free T3 and free T4.  Have you ever been tested for the "frees"?   These are the active thyroid hormones that create the biological activity in the body.   Free T3 is four times as potent as free T4 and it largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions.  Free T3 also correlates best with hypo symptoms.  TSH is a pituitary secretion that is affected by many variables and does not correlate well at all with hypo symptoms.  Why doctors continue to rely so heavily on TSH as a diagnostic is a mystery to us.  It would be far better for the doctor to treat your symptoms by testing and adjusting your FT3 and FT4, by medication as required to alleviate your symptoms.  It's really all about symptoms, after all.  I think you might benefit from reading the article in this link.  

http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html

[colingam]

Hi ,..

I am a new visitor and I had my thyroid removed on May11 '09,..I have been taking Levoxyl 150mcg for about 60 days ,..but still feeling very sleepy in the afternoons.I was tested on 07/08 and my endo called and told me my TSH was 4.5and that I needed my dose lowered to 137mcg (why?????????) ,..this doesn't make any sense to me ,...I asked him  about Armour and I got shot down ,I had a physical with my PCP this week and she gives her thyroid patients Armour ,..she wrote me a script for Armour 120mcg,..but I haven't filled it yet cause I'm sure if I've given the Levoxyl a fair chance to work .BUT ,.....I really feel like my endo doesn't know what he is talking about ,..(if I lower my dose ,..won't I become even sleepier ?) please help

[Applesan]

Started taking Armour on April 1 and my last blood tests showed my TSH was at 5.6 which is high for me.  I feel better around 1 or 1.5.  If I take 30mg of Armour at one time I notice that my chest feels real tight about an hour or so after that.  Then it starts to feel better and I take the second dose about 8 hours later and again my chest tightens up.  I've decided to try it different today and do 15mg at 6AM, 10AM and 2PM to see if that helps.  Think I will try it under my tongue to see if that doesn't get better benefit as I just read swallowing it causes stomach acids to make it less potent. Why did you switch from Synthroid?

[pooh103]

Hi and welcome!

How long have you been on the Armour?  I am still new to taking Armour as well (only the first week) and I was on 75-100mg Synthroid....only taking 30mg Armour right now and I do wonder if I need more but trying to be patient.

I do take the Armour and let it dissolve under my toungue (sublingual)...it is suppose to get into your bloodstream quicker rather than having to swallow it.  I like this because it doesn't then matter when I take it...

I haven't had those side effects on the eyes, but I did seem to have a bit of tightness in my throat, not bad enough to scare me, just different.

[Applesan]

Hi, I'm another new visitor.  I was on Levoxyl for 7 months and it created high blood pressure, shaking, insomnia, light headed and dizzy and other negative side affects that are too numerous to mention. I finally begged my doctor to let me try Armour for which she was very reluctant but agreed.  Within two weeks my blood pressure went back to normal, I started sleeping again and I was actually able to go out and about on my own.  I was at 75mcg Levoxyl and now take 45mg of Armour but it doesn't seem like enough because I'm still very tired.  I do split the dose by taking 2/3 when I get up, and the last 1/3 around 2PM.  Two Questions:
Does anyone let Armour dissolve in their mouth as opposed to swallowing it? Also, has anyone experienced side affects from Armour with respect to a weird feeling or pressure in the eyes or tightness in the chest?
I appreciate feedback; glad to have found this link.

[pooh103]

Hello I am new to this site and just yesterday I convinced my doc to put me on Armour....so first day for me.  I was taking Synthroid and Cytomel, so at least I was used to taking some T3.  He has me starting on 30mg for 2 weeks than 60mg.  I could tell he didn't want to change me and emphasized in his notes it was the "patients request".  I have read to split the doses, so I took 1/2 of the 30mg this morning and will take the other around lunch...is this ok?  Any advise for a newbe to the group and newbe to Armour is greatly appreciated!  I only hope I can finally feel well!  Thanks for listening :)