Armour better than synthroid??

[designinme]

I know many here take synthroid, but I found this article very interesting. I have been on armour thryoid for 5 months, and feel incredible.

I know 3 people who have switched, and have shown great improvement in how they feel. A must read.

http://www.mercola.com/1999/archive/armour_thyroid.htm

[LooseShoes]

I've been on Armour since I was 5 years old. Docs have tried to switch me, but I got major intestinal problems with the synthetic. Even after I figured out that the synthetic was causing it, it took almost a year before I was back to normal. I just tell them I'm allergic to the synthetic and they have kept prescribing my armour--even though they seem to take it terribly personal. They tell me Armour's going to quit making it, that the synthetic is better, etc. I have the feeling the synthetic drug companies are really paying off the doctors, but perhaps that's just my cynical attitude towards the medical field.

Armour provides T3 and T4--both are necessary for the thyroid to function correctly. Most people function fine with the synthetics, but not me.

[purplecat]

I asked my doc to switch me to Armour and he would not. I'm so tired all the time, cold, and my hair falls out in clumps - not to mention the choking sensation I get with certain sweaters. He kept asking me if I was getting enough sleep, etc.. Why does he not realize it's my stupid thyroid? I think I'm going to have to find a new doctor. It's becoming a pain having to switch doctors. I had to switch to him to get the initial treatment after 3 years with my old TP and an Endocrinologist who said my symptoms were not caused by my thyroid. I had a goiter the size of a golf ball sticking out the side of my neck and cysts on my thyroid (but my symptoms were not caused by my thyroid?).

[GCC]

Cytomel is a T3 med that is often taken with Synthroid. Cytomel is a T3 med & Sythroid is a T4 med. See if your doctor will prescribe Cytomel (if they will not use Armour).

Get copies of your thyroid blood test. See if they ever test your Free T3 & FREE T4 levels.

If they are not testing those levels (and make sure they say FREE) insist that they do so.

Also, see what your TSH is. Optimal TSH is low, around 1.0 (although many doctors are happy with a much higher TSH, you will be happy with a lower TSH). The higher your TSH, the lower your thyroid hormones are.

Optimal for the Free T's is in the middle to upper part of the "normal range" NOT in the lower part of the range!

[purplecat]

Originally Posted by GCC

Cytomel is a T3 med that is often taken with Synthroid. Cytomel is a T3 med & Sythroid is a T4 med. See if your doctor will prescribe Cytomel (if they will not use Armour).

Get copies of your thyroid blood test. See if they ever test your Free T3 & FREE T4 levels.

If they are not testing those levels (and make sure they say FREE) insist that they do so.

Also, see what your TSH is. Optimal TSH is low, around 1.0 (although many doctors are happy with a much higher TSH, you will be happy with a lower TSH). The higher your TSH, the lower your thyroid hormones are.

Optimal for the Free T's is in the middle to upper part of the "normal range" NOT in the lower part of the range!

Thank you. My frustration level is so low when it comes to doctors. I wonder why I even pay for insurance.

[GCC]

You're welcome purple cat. I get very frustrated with doctros also!!

Did you know that by law now they have to give you copies of medical records that you ask for. That is really huge...

See if they ever test your FREE T3 & FREE T4. The Free T3 is the one that they usually don't ever test and the one that often gets too low on Synthroid alone!

Good to talk to you and good luck. Let us know what happens.

[imashrinkydink]

I also made my doctor change me from sythroid to Armour and I have been taking Armour now for about 3 years and I feel much better. I had a total thyroidectemy due to thyroid cancer, this has been the solution for me.

[Jaded]

Hey guys, this is kind've unrelated as I don't personally have a thyroid problem, but my cousins son has been on synthroid since he was born. He's 4 now and the doctor asked my cousin if she'd like to take him off of it to see if he really still needs the medication, but wouldnt really give any information as to what could happen now if he does need it, or if he continues to take it and he actually doesnt need it (initially the doc told her if they take him off it too early and he does need it, he could have brain damage). I was just wondering if any of you would have any insights?

[purplecat]

Originally Posted by Jaded

Hey guys, this is kind've unrelated as I don't personally have a thyroid problem, but my cousins son has been on synthroid since he was born. He's 4 now and the doctor asked my cousin if she'd like to take him off of it to see if he really still needs the medication, but wouldnt really give any information as to what could happen now if he does need it, or if he continues to take it and he actually doesnt need it (initially the doc told her if they take him off it too early and he does need it, he could have brain damage). I was just wondering if any of you would have any insights?

What's his diagnosis? I can ask the doctors I work with.

[ssMarilyn]

purplecat, many doctors are 'dumb' when it comes to the thyroid and treating it properly. For one thing, most are behind and using OLD lab values for the TSH test. Some people can take Armour with no problem and some get sick on it. I have been on Synthroid for years and do well on it. Your TSH needs to be around 1.0 and no higher than 3.0 Do you get a hard copy of your lab tests? If your hair is falling out, your TSH is too high. That's my biggest symptom...and dry skin..then I now I need a higher dosage of Synthroid.