[tnapavlu]

#1059767

I am desperatly needing some feed back on aromour vs synthroid. I am getting ready to go to a new endo and have been arguing with my current Dr. that I feel very hypo now and have for awhile. He just keeps telling me I’m fine “you’re in the NORMAL RANGE (tsh=2.26, t3=2.8, t4=1.7) However, when I was diagnosed with Grave’s 5 years ago I was very close to being in a thyroid storm and was told I was lucky to still be alive. I feel as though I need the tsh to be on the lower range to feel and t3 on the higher end to feel normal. I have all the stupid symptoms of hypo, hair falling out, terrible muscle spasms and aches, weight gain, tired all the time, moody, anxiety, etc…

This brings me to looking up the Armour, I have read great things about it and so many people say that the hair loss ends, you can finely think clearly again, actually lose weight if you want or need to, dry skin ends, everything that I feel like I’m fighting with the Synthroid is no longer. So has anyone ever switched from and found that this is true for them, or is there maybe a better option? I could really use some help on this, thanks everyone!

Oh, it might help to know that I had a TT, and am currently on 112mcg of Syn

[Stymie]

#1177385

Hi!

I have been reading a lot about Armour thyroid and I have heard a lot of good things about it.

I don’t know anyone personally on it, but I still feel like if the Tirosint I’m on right now doesn’t work out, I will try the armour.

Good luck on your journey to GREAT health.

Diane

[tnapavlu]

#1177386

@stymie

I haven’t heard anything about the tirosint(sp?) How does it work, and do you like it? How long were you on synthroid and what made you change? I am obviously desperate for anything right now. My biggest down fall with the possiblilty of switching to the Aromour is that most Dr’s seem to be against it and insurance doesn’t like to pay for it. So at that if the Tirosint could be a better option I am definitely willing to check it out also!

[snelsen]

#1177387

Tirosint is equivalent to Synthroid (T4). It is T4, levothyoxine in a capsule. The difference is that the capsule contains liquid.
From my view, in my situation, I don’t see any advantage in it at all, and a possible disadvantage that it has not been around long enough to know that the doses are equivalent to Synthroid.

From my understanding, Armour has some added T3 to the T4. My endo says few people profit from it, and to take it properly, it needs to be taken 2-3 times a day, which is hard for compliance. If taken only once a day, the T3 dumps out all at once, and the blood level is all over the place, causing changes in how you feel at different times of the day.

My endo said that a very few people seem to do better on it, and the docs are not really sure why. Most people take it, either don’t like it, or don’t want do the frequent dosing, and simply decide not to use it.

Maybe Kimberly can add, and clarify anything I have said that needs clarification.
Shirley

[Kimberly]

#1177388

Hello – We have heard mixed reviews from patients about T3/T4 combination therapy. Some patients feel that adding T3 to their regimen made a huge improvement in quality of life, but others have found that it actually caused a recurrence of their hypER symptoms.

The U.S.-based medical agencies are generally opposed to adding T3, either in the form of Armour (T3/T4 combo) or Cytomel (T3 only). The Europeans, however, take a little more flexible approach. They recommend T4-only therapy for at least six months and ensuring that the patient is compliant with dosing guidelines (taking meds consistently on an empty stomach, avoiding soy/calcium/iron within 4 hours, etc.). If the patient is still experiencing symptoms after that time, they recommend a *short* trial of synthetic T3, with a follow up evaluation to see if symptoms improve.

There is actually a study going on at a major medical center comparing T4-only therapy versus Armour. It will be interesting to see the results — and whether this impacts the guidelines from the U.S.-based agencies.

Take care!

[tnapavlu]

#1177389

Thank you all for your help, I will continue to weigh the pros and cons of each of these options and discuss them with my new Dr. on Thursday. I am hoping to just get things balanced back out and on the “normal” track again in hopes to keep up with the 3 teenagers in my home! Ok, that sounds good, but maybe not completly possible at my age now lol!

[Stymie]

#1177390

Hi!

Tirosint is yes like synthroid, but has basically no fillers. Something I think I was having an issue with. It’s just glycerin water and thyroid hormone.

It’s something to think about if you don’t do we’ll on synthroid or generic.

Good luck!

Diane

[snelsen]

#1177391

Stymie! That is such a cool name.
Thank you for the additional info on Tirosint. Didn’t know that. Most appreciated. I love to know more about meds, Graves’ and TED. And all other things!
Shirley

[Author]

Posts