Just started Armour--feel terrible

[rachestar]

I will try to make this as quick as possible. I was diagnosed with Graves shortly after giving birth to my daughter in 04. I had RAI done in Feb of 06 which was unsuccessful and another RAI treatment in March 07 which obliterated my thryoid (my drs words) I was put on 25 mg of Synthroid which was eventually increased to 200 mg/day. I still felt hypo and terrible, gained a lot of weight, tired all the time (you know the drill) I finally found a doctor that was willing to try Armour. I started last weekend taking 2 grains (120 mg) in the am. I felt soooo shaky and jittery, sweating, AWFUL! I went down to 1 1/2 grain the next day. I called yest and the doctor said you just have to play with it maybe split the dose am/pm. This am I took 1 grain and still have the jittery, shaky sensation like when I had Graves. I have a little girl at home and I can't keep feeling like this. I feel like I can't function. Please help!!

Rachel

[rumpled]

Oh gosh... No, I just take Unithroid and cytomel! Sorry if that was not clear!

[annie234]

I'm glad you liked him. He did spend alot of time with you! I have UPMC insurance. Just alittle broke right now but, I know what you mean when you say you are willing to spend anything at this point! I see Dr. Bahl at the St. Margrets office in Fox Chapel. He is nice but does not order the free t3 and mostly prescribes synthroid. I did ask him if he prescribes Armour and he said he sometimes does but was afraid to give to me for I might go hyper on it ? I have hashi so my levels go up and down fast. I started synthroid in August and am now up to 50mg . My last TSH was 7.02 so I don't think I'll go hyper on Armour. I was going to ask him Monday if I could switch. If he says no I might be seeing Dr. Goldstein soon!!!! Thanks for you info.

[annie234]

Thank you for the info. I did have my vitamin b12 serum run on 10/2/08 it was 435 range was 200-1100. I also asked for the vitamin d and that was 52 range was 20-100. I do have a lab slip for tomorrow that reads tsh, free t4 , t3 and CMP. Maybe I'll tell the lab tech he also wanted the free t3. I did have the free t3 last month and it was 267 range was 230-420. Does that seem low to you? I just don't feel good on synthroid. Thanks Stella

[rachestar]

I loved him. He is the nicest guy. He spend an hour and a half with me on my first appt. He is also very into vitamins. My iron and D were VERY low. You can call your insurance. You have to submit it. I have submitted mine but don't know if or how much they are going to pay yet. At this point I have been through 4 years of hell so I am willing to pay just about anything. Is your endo now in Pittsburgh? I saw Elizabeth Bergman in Wexford and wasn't happy.

Rachel

[stella5349]

If you are having blood work tomorrow to see where your levels are at - AND thinking about a swtich.............

Save yourself some cash and make sure they run Both Free T3 Free T4 and TSH tomorrow. Most Armour doctor will rerun the lab to see those numbers before giving you Armour.

Also check with your doctor to see if you can also run a VitB - and Iron test alsong with cortisol labs too.

[annie234]

This is so weird but I live in Pgh and was debating on going to Dr. Goldstein. What did you think of him? I found his name under the Top Thyroid Doctors. I was worried he did not take my insurance. I hope the Armour works for you, I really want to try it. I am having blood work tomorrow and was going to ask my Endo on Monday if I could try Armour. Good luck and hang in there!

[stella5349]

I still think the conversion of the T4 Synthroid was in your system and bringing Armour into the picture on such a high level of T3 already as an introduction is casuing the upset for you.

You may want to approach the doctor as I said above to drop you down at the 1 grain and do frequent tiny increases every two weeks. There has GOT to be a bit of a drying out process somehow to let the meds from your past settle a bit before you jump directly on something different like this.

As I said you may fall a bit hypo at first - but the increases every two weeks will be helpful to rebound you back.

Introducing that T3  even in tiny amounts can react a bit.

My gut says you are high. Have him test the Free T levels in your system to see.

No worries on not paying attention to your labs. You KNOW you need to track that from now on right?

I think I have heard that name - but the attention span of mine is altered sometimes :)

Good Luck

[Smilerdeb]

This place has been a lifesaver for me and also an eye opener as to just what Doctors /Endos dont do unless you ask.
Try and get your Doctor to print out the last 3 lots of Labs and you will see how things are in regards to your levels.

I only have to go 1 point over the FT4 range and Hyper hits me bad yet a Doctor would say it was normal. So it is worth getting your lab sheets, writing on each one what dose you are on then comparing the labs each time you get a hiccup with the meds.
Good Luck Rach

[rachestar]

I am no longer on the Synthoid. I might not have made that clear. I made a clean switch straight from the 200 mg Synthoid to the 2 grains of Armour. I am VERY embrassed to admit that I have never seen a lab of mine in all 4 years I have been dealing with this hell. I have brought up that I was feeling terrible MANY times and was told to lose weight, maybe I need an antidepressant, a sleeping aid.. When I was on the 200 mg of synthoid for the past few months they said that my levels looked great BUT I felt terrible still which is why I went to the new doctor (David Goldstein in Pittsbugh if anyone is familiar) who switched me to the Armour. THANKS for all your advice. I should have found this place years ago!

Rachel

[Smilerdeb]

You have a point there in regards to 'going backwards' but I still think that the Meds are not being managed properly by the Doctor.
Unless you demand your Labs, most Docs will tell you they are 'normal'.
Personally there is no such thing as 'normal' in my eyes as everyones body and needs are different.
Posting the labs here would be good.
That way we can see whats going on.

[stella5349]

Deb

Since she already moved into a switch - that may be like really going backwards again. There is no stability pattern from what is being said.

Yet she never tried Cytomel.

Sounds like your doctor is at least giving you a chance to trial this med. I think still posting your labs may unleash a bit more information on what is going on too.

We can't speculate - and the more information you can provide the better it all makes sense.

Hopefully you will respond back soon with more information.

[Smilerdeb]

Sorry...forgot to mention...

I had RAI in June 2008 (7 months ago) with Graves and Hyperthyroidism prior to that.
I took the FAST route and then found out it just does NOT work.
I then went to Baby Steps and am doing fine and have been for the past 2-3 months.
Dosage increase was done very slowly and 3 weekly and its paying off.

[Smilerdeb]

Personally I think a trip back to the Docs....give the Armour away for the time being and try controlling your levels on T4 (Synthroid) and T3 (Cytomel.
Get your Doc to increase the Cytomel in small doses.
Baby Steps...thats what I always say.

Rome wasnt built in a day and Thyroid Meds dont balance properly if not monitored or rushed fast.
Baby Steps.......

[stella5349]

Hi Rumpled

Hey just to see if my brain is on top here.

You take Synthroid (T4) Cytomel (T3)    


AND Armour??

[stella5349]

Geez your meds are all messed up. You had to have been on a rollar coaster of T4 dumps and now super high T3 /T4

Geez - slow this ride down!!!!!!!

ok you ended on a 200mcg Synthroid tablet ( where were your TSH and Free T labs at when you made the switch to Armour?)

This is all speculation - BUT IF you were on the 200mcg Synthroid (T4) my personal opinion -  your doctor should have started you out at about 75 to 90mgs of Armour.

You had probably had a constant flow of T4 off the SYnthroid converting already into T3
( as the med is intended) and then to top you off on a 2 grain of Armour right away probably has blown you into a bit of hyperness.

I don't think to continue taking the T4 Synthroid with the Armour has suggested is appropriate right now. - but that is a doctors call.

I would tend to approach the doctor with the idea that you need to drop the Armour down to about a 1 grain tablet for at least a week ( may put you down into a  bit of hypo state - then do 30mg increases from there every two weeks and test every four with the Free T3 labs included.

This should eliminate the Synthyroid conversion since you are no longer on that med  - yet give your body a chance to "get to know" this new med Armour that you are putting in your body.

This was way to fast and you would feel super jittery at this rate of T3 coming in. AND if by chance you could have a bit of adrenal tiredness going on  - the hyper symptoms would also be included  - and the Armour would have to be introduced at a lower dosage and increased very slowly too.

Also keep in mind due to the T3 in this med and starting out - try NOT to take it all at once. Spread the dosage ( the 1 grain I suggested) out at least twice a day morning and mid afternoon. This gives more of an even keel to the hormones you are now on directly.

Oh sorry - as I rambled I went back and really read the posts. I see Laura stated what I did too. Thanks Laura. "Learn you well"   LOL

[laura1967]

You might even consider stopping meds for a couple of days for symptoms to subside. If you are overly sensitive to the T3 you might want to try splitting dosage into 3 times.
Normally starting dosage is 60 mgs and then increased every 2-3 weeks until optimal dosage is reached. He started you way too high. I would take the 1 grain and split that into 2 or 3 times per day for a week and then increase from there, until you reach your proper dosage. Hang in there!
Stella is a good one also to talk to because she has had to slow the process down and give a few days rest, when she was increased too quickly.

[rumpled]

Also, divide doses of the T3 2-3 times during the day, that will help too. I do that as well.

[rumpled]

Armour has a very high ratio of T3 to T4 so it goes into your system very quickly where a T4 med like synthroid required your body to convert it all.

Do you still have the synthyroid? I would add back some T4 to the T3 in the armour until you find some balance. It is going to take some time to get the right dose. I would play with adding back a bit of the T4 to keep you from being hyper and not going hypo. Aren't thyroids fun?... not... I hope you have a pill cutter and someone to help you with your daughter. You need to give some time to find the proper dose!

I take unithroid (T4) and cytomel (T3) in order to be able to balance the both.  Good luck!