otc bovine products

[suep112]

I have a question about over the counter pills for thyroid. Armour is a brand of medicine that needs a prescription. It is natural desiccated thyroid...right? Well, if you look around on the web, places sell natural desiccated bovine thyroid pills. I think I need to have something like cytomel to add t3 to my meds. My question is....if i bought some of the otc pills, is it like cytomel or Armour? Would it hurt to take extra pills like that in addition to my levothyroxine? Should i ask my doctor? Why can you buy natural thyroid hormone products and yet need a prescription for others? I just dont want to do something stupid.

[stella5349]

I find for me and alot of other thyroid people that the FT3 is usually tietering the high level to feel their best.

I happen to be a person who needs more T3 and my labs are over the top. I am mid lower range on the FT4 and my TSH is a whopping 0.004 which we never look at per say.

[Barb135]

On a scale of 230-420, your FT3 is "low normal" and everyone is different regarding where they should be in the range.  Your doctor most likely did not give you cytomel since you fall into the "normal" range, whether that's right for you or not.  When I first got cytomel, I, too was in the normal range, but only at about 240 (same range) - I had to ASK for cytomel.  

I don't know how long you've been on thryoid med or what your other levels are, but if you think you need something different, you will often have to ask for it - most doctors will not just OFFER a change in med.........especially when it comes to adding cytomel to a T4 med.........That's my experience.  

[stella5349]

I respect that - but in situations where for me - for example have no thyroid and take a regulated desiccated med - I need to know that my measurement are as close to equal monthly as possible.

These OTCs do not have that guarantee like a script does.

[DrHelp]

To add my two cents to this discussion-- I agree about what you are saying.
However-- Whole Foods Market is VERY picky when it comes to their nutraceuticals-- they research every aspect of it and would not have a "dirty" product on their shelves-- they stock preservative free reputable products. With that said-- i have seen a "glandular" thyroid product there-- I almost feel like i should buy it given the Armour i have right now probably is **** and im probably heading for another ride..
In addition--- there is an INDEPENDENT lab that tests products and tells you if they are "dirty" and at no cost-- they are an information website-- no company backing---
go to consumerlab.com to find what is dirty and what is not

[suep112]

thanks for the answers. it does make me leary of trying anything new and not regulated. my last ft3 was 259 on a scale of 230-420. is that too low? my endo said he would maybe add cytomel if it was low, but didnt give it to me. i didnt really know where the ft3 should be, so i didnt ask for it either.

[Smilerdeb]

I agree with Stella.......
Most people are drug sensitive and after all you go through with thyroid issues, I wouldnt be trying ANYTHING until I knew EVERY ingredient in it.
Its just not worth the risk of haing to start from scratch all over again with your doses and levels.
Also come the point ...is anything in it Toxic?
Thats the question you have to ask yourself.

The way I look at it is.....
If someone was to offer you a medication that you had no idea what it had in it (rat poison, talcum powder, battery acid,  fillers etc) and you didnt know that these were in these meds....think of the trouble you may encounter.
they could have something you are allergic too.

While everyone grasps at straws for answers...OTC dessicated Bovine Meds are not the right answer.
Everyone searches for good health.......dont be fooled by internet or OTC meds that you dont know 100% for sure whats in them.

I know this is not thyroid related but I stumbled upon something a long ago on the net so will use this as an example......
I suffered with haemmorids (piles) due to constipation and diahorea and noticed a 'product' online that is supposed to be a 'magic cure'.
As most know,.....piles are very painful when they erupt and at the time I wouldve tried anything as the creams were doing nothing.
This magic cure claimed to get rid of them FOREVER.
After extensive research, I found the 'magic cure' was Witch hazel which can be brought at any pharmacy for around $5 yet this company advertising the 'cure' wanted nearly AU$100.
The Witch hazel dabbed on cotton wool balls shrink the piles and and stop the inflammation.

So much for magic cures lol.

Dont be fooled by all you read or see.
Research first.

[stella5349]

The "OTC" brands are not at all regulated. They have no authenticity of "correct" bovine that is clinically safe for human consumption. There is no regulation on the process of desiccating this product and you can be taking in things... well to put it blunty... dirty.

It's a **** shoot as I call it on taking it and there is no guidleines of what actually you are taking in with conversion.

If you are on Levo as of now. I would see what your Free T3 and Free t4 lab is doing. If you show a low free T3 lab then tweeking your Levo right now with Cytomel may be better than adding a combo T3.T4 med like Armour.

These meds are not quick and it's best to tweek them instead of flopping over and over on something. This is way too hard to track for the patient and the doctors prescribing them.

If you jump on an internet brand of thyroid taking Levo - you can find it very hard to manage and in the end cause more issues for yourself.