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!!

[DEMP]

My appointment went great! I found out he was hesitant about it because he said he had'nt switched anyone back to armour since synthroid came out.  He also told me that he was like the last doctor to turn patients to armour in our county.  So he was really easy and trusted my judgement and told me that he tried to fight the switch about 20 years ago.

I'm really happy and I hope that I'll have great results too, I start tomorrow :) after reading everyone's post I was ready with a pill cutter lol I've cut them all in half.

I was on 100 mcg synthroid so I had already gone to the armour website and got on the converter and it said that I should be on 60 mg or 1 grain armour, my doctor went ahead and perscribed it for me and since I"m going on vacation right after finals for a whole month he's letting me stick to it unless I feel strange and then get tested when I get back :)

Usually we test for t3, t4, tsh, and my calcium levels.  Please let me know if theres other tests I should bring up when i go get checked up :)

I totally understand the team approach thats how this doctor has been with me since I came to him when I was 16 and our five years have been all understanding care he's not the authoratative type of dr. :)

Anyway I'll keep posting my progress and if anyone is switching around this time too let me know we can compare :)  

THANKS!

[stella5349]

Thyroid Extract is the brand name in Canada for the script similiar to Armour. I was looking at it as an OTC by error.

DEMP-

Switching to Armour is a difficult challenge - but most find it worth the battle. Your doctor may come up with rumors of inconsistancy and bi product caution - but rest assured - many are on this med and do very well on it.

Getting on it is the battle the "war" is making sure you are administering it in the way it is intended and follow appropriate lab testing which many docs are not in tune with anymore.

Some doctors will script it and then not really understand exactly how to monitor it.

Most Armour patients now a days are there own advocants and learn about the meds and how to take it. It is a challenge as I have faced - but well worth ever outcome I had.

I know am in a team approach with my doctor to keep me at optimal levels and I feel since my switch I now am back in control of feeling really good!

You may want to Google Armour benefits prior to your appt - and read about it if you are considering the switch. This will give you a boat load of information to approach with your doctor.

[DEMP]

Hey Everyone,

I'm going to my doctor tomorrow to try to switch to armour.  Hopefully he'll let me switch of synthroid since I've been on it for 9 years I know he's been hesitant about it since I brought it up but my appointment is coming up and he promised we could discuss it but that he hasn't perscribed it in years.

If anyone else has just switched hit me up :)  

demp

[ttmoni9]

Hi Stella,

I had my thyroid removed 2 years ago. I live in Australia so we don't have Armour. I was lucky enough to find a doctor that prescribes this Thyroid Extract. What do you mean it's not consistant in dosages?

Yes, she gave me the HC for adrenals but I don't want to take it. I'm trying to find if there are natural supplements for adrenals.

I also have very low ferritin but OK iron levels.

[DEMP]

Wow Laura! Thanks for this! This is great.  I'm not sure why my doctor never spoke to me about armour.  I am going to call him and my nurse tomorrow and let them know that I would like to switch make an appointment and switch during thanksgiving break.

Are there any suggestions as to how I should talk to my dr. about this?  They never ever spoke about an alternative so I'm wondering if theres a reason why.

thanks!!!!!  Hope you are all doing well on Armour I'm really happy to read that lots of you are feeling so much better and I hope that soon I'll get the same results :D

[stella5349]

Thyroid extract is not equal to Armour.

Thyroid extract is an off brand of dessicated thyroid medication and is not consistant in dosages.

HAve you had the blood tests indentifying you a hypothyroid patient? You will need an appropriate script to get equal dosages for your body to produce thyroid hormones properly.

This could be a major reasone why you have not gotten better yet.  What is the script for HC for? adrenals?