[crazyhickchic]

#1070543

Hey there,
I would also like to know about any drug options that I will be having to make a decision on in the near future for the Hypo. Any side effects or what has the least problems for average people. I’m a little freaked out with "trading symptoms"………. would love to hear!

[Jake_George]

#1070544

Armour and Throlar are both made from desicated pig thryoid. There used to be a strength and self life issue for them but best I can remember that is a problem of the past.

Since both have T3 and T4 a person who may do better on them, would probably be one who did not convert T3 to T4 well. There are some folks that get hyper symptoms on the Amour while staying in the normal ranges. Ask your doctor to see if it may work for you.

[CatRAI2000]

#1070545

Thanks Jake.

I’ve just returned from the Endo and I have a blood test order form that is a mile long – but in some cases – I like that! The other Endo sent me off with an order for TSH to get prior to a visit this coming DECEMBER (my last app’t was this past December – where – admittedly, I felt fairly well.) Sometimes I like to think of myself as like New England weather — wait a minute, it’ll change!

What I am told is that if I’m found to have low T3 – we can talk about the alternates then. I have an appointment in approx. 4 weeks. I’ll be sure to post if I come up with anything helpful to share at that time.

Cat

[CatRAI2000]

#1019282

I haven’t been out here in ages. I had RAI 9 years ago on the 5th June (look in the archives – you’ll find me.) Like everyone, here I’ve struggled with the ups and downs of this disease, but overall – I’m okay

Today I’m going back to my almost original endo for the first time since 2003. For the past several years, I’d been getting regular blood tests from my GP. Last year, I went to a new endo, but after two visits realized he wasn’t for me.

I’d like to try Armour or Thyrolar. Came to my "source" – NGDF but don’t find any threads. Any wisdom from other post RAI’er’s?

Thanks in advance!

Catherine

[npatterson]

#1070546

There are some studies that show an improvement in both the way we feel and think, and in our bloodwork when there is a small supplement of T3 (Armour is only T3, while Thyrolar is both T3 and T4) to your regular dose of T4.
The ground rules:
1. If the medication does NOTHING, have it monitored,perhaps increased. If it still does nothing, it is probably not what you need, so STOP taking it.
2. If the medication makes you feel HYPER (increased tremors, anxiety, heart rate, confusion), have it monitored, lowered. If it still makes you HYPER, STOP taking it.
3. If you FEEL BETTER, have it monitored, and KEEP TAKING IT.
Then check with your doctor about your bone density, cardiac history and anything else that the extra T3 may influence.
Note:
Sometimes the improvement is short-lived. In that case, go back to Rule # 1.

[CatRAI2000]

#1070547

Nancy,

Thank you for your insight and advice.

I also should have mentioned that I currently take Synthroid – which has served me well for 9 years – I’ve just been having difficulty finding a dosage that works for me. Right now I’m somewhere in between .137 and .150 so I alternate days. I really respect the fact that my Dr. is waiting to review my blood tests to determine if I can benefit from an alternate.

C

[bradybunch6x1]

#1070548

Nancy,
I thought that Armour was both T4 and T3, or is it just T3? I thought that Thyrolar was just T3. I don’t know but I was sure it was the other way around, maybe I have been mistaken this whole time. I hope you can tell me. I have been on Armour thyroid for over 3 years, and I guess I should know this.
Thanks,
Valarie

[bradybunch6x1]

#1070549

Well I checked it out and it is Armour thyroid that is both T4 and T3. I was starting to think I was loosing it. It wouldn’t suprise me though, since I tend to forget things.
I also wanted to let C know that I have had a good results from the Armour thyroid, as long as the pharmacy kept giving me the Armour and not the generics. It has helped me with thought, and sleep, as well as less hair falling out unlike when I was on synthetic T4.
Valarie

[bradybunch6x1]

#1070550

I hate doing this, but I would hate for C to get the wrong info about Thyrolar and Armour. So I checked on the make up of these two drugs. Armour thyroid is a disected pig thyroid that contains both T3 and T4. Thyrolar is a synthetic drug that contains T3 and T4. The ratio on this is 1 part T3 to 4 parts T4. Like I was saying I take Armour thyroid and I also have a family member that took Thyrolar, but has stopped since they stopped making the dose that she took and the cost more than doubled to get her what she needed. I have also run into issues of this same type with the Armour thyroid. So depending on dosage would depend on the cost. For instance, if you take 180micrograms of one it may have to be split by giving you two 90micrograms of the drug which is what causes the cost to go higher. It has for me anyway, and that is also what happend to my family member.
I hope this may help you in the choice of one or the other, or maybe even neither.
Good luck,
Valarie

[CatRAI2000]

#1070551

Valarie,

Thanks for your insight into this. As a vegetarian, I would consciously choose Thyrolar over Armour – unless the benefit of taking the latter is enough where I would have to tough it out. Health first! Although I have insurance, cost IS a huge factor – I’d not considered it – yet!

Catherine

[Brenda_Carr]

#1070552

I was wondering, I have been taking Armour and I find that I feel alot better, however, my doctor called me on Sunday to say that my brain was not secreating TSH as it is suppose to. He first wanted to drop me from 120mg of the Armour to 60Mg of the Armour, then said that Armour can not be regulated because it is not synthetic, so then he shared to start on 125mg of synthroid.

This confused me, how can Armour be on the market if it can not be standardized? Does anyone know where I can get more information about the Armour?

Thanks for your help

Brenda

[bradybunch6x1]

#1070553

Brenda,
Please do a little trick I like to call search…Search the web, these meds have there own site.
Valarie

[Ski]

#1070554

Armour had an issue in prior years with consistency, but they’ve fixed it.

[Author]

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