Where to get armour?

[stt816]

Hi
I have been on t4 and t3 for about 3 months now. Nothing has changed. I would really like to go on armour. I see many people loving it and it makes them feel better. I have looked around but naturopath's either don't prescribe medicine or don't take insurance. Should I order online? I see some sites sell it.

Thank you

[Barb135]

I didn't see your questions here... are you still here?  The peroxidase antibody you had tested is the same thing your friend is calling TPO... the technical name is Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and your level of 447 is definitely indicative of Hashimoto's, which is an autoimmune thyroid disease in which the body sees the thyroid as foreign and produces antibodies to destroy it.  There's nothing that can be done, except to treat the resulting hypothyroidism as thyroid function declines, which it looks like you already have, since your TSH is at 4.51... Have you also been tested for Free T3 and Free T4?  Those are the actual thyroid hormones and are much more important than TSH, so if you haven't had those tested, make sure you get them tested.

Swelling in the feet and legs is a symptom of hypothyroidism.  I drink dandelion tea or take dandelion capsules, which, usually, helps.  Also, be very careful about the amount salt/sodium you're eating, because salt/sodium has a tendency to cause fluid retention as well.  So does hot weather, so if you have a combination of the 2, you're more likely to have more swelling in the first place... add hypothyroidism to the mix and it can really get nasty.  

You should be monitoring your blood pressure, since the excess fluid can cause blood pressure to rise, also... Talk to your doctor about this; s/he may want to prescribe a stronger medication to get rid of the fluid.  I take Lasix every day and with the warm weather and having just returned from 3 weeks of travel, which means eating out a lot more, so more salt/sodium intake, I'm really swollen, I've had to double up on my Lasix and it's still not doing the trick... I'll be seeing my doctor on September 4; I hope he's got some tricks up his sleeve...

[Llccoker]

Sorry doc...

[Llccoker]

Hi Barb, i hope you can help me. I was just tested for antibodies.
My peroxidase antibody came back at 447, so my dic is sending
Me to an endocrinoligist afraid of possible Hashimotos.
My TSH is 4.51, but a friend of mine told me to be tested for the TPOs as well. I have been having significant swelling in my legs for 2 months now wondering if its now linked to Hashimototos. I have started an OTC diuretic and eating alot of watermelon in hopes it helps. Any advice on the swelling?

[Barb135]

You have to have a prescription in order to buy Armour.  If you see sites selling it without a script, in the U.S. it's not the real thing.

It's true that many naturopaths either don't prescribe medications or don't take insurance... Most of them are on a cash only basis and can be pretty expensive, but the up side is that once established, you only have to see them a couple of times/year so it might not be that expensive in the long run.

If you'll post your current labs we might be able to shed some light on why your current medications don't seem to be working for you.  Please be sure to include reference ranges, since those vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.

Also please tell us what medication(s) you're currently taking and what dosages, as well as how long you've been on the med(s)/dosage(s).