Anyone here take Armour Thyroid?

[3kids4me]

Just wondering if you are taking this drug...and what dosage you take. Also, if you switched from Synthroid or Levoxyl to Armour, do you remember what dose you were taking of the former? My endo is switching me from Levoxyl to Armour and I'm unsure as to whether I want to do this, and whether the dose is appropriate.

Any insights appreciated....thanks!

 

[cerralee]

I am on Armour thyroid, I did not switch from another drug to Armour, I started out @ 15 mg and he has slowly raised the dose to 90 mg over a three month period.

 

[sstamm]

Armour thyroid is a natural product containing 2 thyroid hormones (T 4 and T3.) Typical doses are 1/2 grain (30mg), 1 grain (60mg) or 1 1/2 grain (90mg).

Synthroid, Levothroid, Levoxyl are all synthetic products of the T4 thyroid hormone, levothyroxine. Doses of these are measured differently, ranging from 25 mcg up to 0.2mg or so.

Did the endocrinologist give a reason for wanting you to switch?

 

[3kids4me]

Thanks for the input.

I'm having some side effects from the Levoxyl that prevent her from raising the dose higher. Right now I'm on 100 mcg daily plus an extra 50 once/week. However, she would like to see me at a higher dose since my TSH is still not at an optimal level.

She had me switch to Armour, starting at 2 grains/day (that is 120 mg), but when I looked at the Armour website, it said that a 2 grain dose would be equivalent to taking 200 mcg of Levoxyl/day, which would be almost double what I was taking...so I was concerned. (I did call her, and she told me that what I read on the website was not correct...but it **is** the website for Armour! So, I wanted to see if any others had experience with this drug.)

 

[Rose Pink]

I was on Armour for awhile but did not notice any difference in how I felt so I went back to synthroid. The mail order pharmacy for our new insurance company has sent me unithroid as a substitute for synthroid. It will be a few weeks before I start on that as I still have synthroid left. I wonder if it will make a difference. I heard once that synthroid was one drug where taking the name brand versus the generic does make a difference.

 

[MULTIZ321]

3KidsForMe,

Have you looked at the Thyroid Disorders Message Board?


Richard

 

[sstamm]

She had me switch to Armour, starting at 2 grains/day (that is 120 mg), but when I looked at the Armour website, it said that a 2 grain dose would be equivalent to taking 200 mcg of Levoxyl/day, which would be almost double what I was taking...so I was concerned. (I did call her, and she told me that what I read on the website was not correct...but it **is** the website for Armour! So, I wanted to see if any others had experience with this drug.)

First off, you're right that 2 grains = 120mg. I posted it wrong above and will correct that.

My pharmacy literature agrees with what you found on Armour's website, which indicates that 1 grain (60mg) is approximately equivalent to 100 mcg levothyroxine.

Everybody reacts differently to different medications, so perhaps your MD is trying the combination product to see if your response is more favorable.

Like I said before Armour thyroid contains both T4 and T3. Some practitioners believe that the combination more closely mimics the body's natural hormone, but just as many others believe that synthetic T4 is fine since the body converts T4 to T3 in the amount it needs anyway.

Have you started the thyroid yet, or are you still taking levothyroxine?

 

[sstamm]

I was on Armour for awhile but did not notice any difference in how I felt so I went back to synthroid. The mail order pharmacy for our new insurance company has sent me unithroid as a substitute for synthroid. It will be a few weeks before I start on that as I still have synthroid left. I wonder if it will make a difference. I heard once that synthroid was one drug where taking the name brand versus the generic does make a difference.

You are right that you need to be cautious with levothyroxine substitutions. Obviously a drug that comes in such small doses and increments can have a large effect if it is not absorbed into your body in the same way.

That being said, approved substitutions for Synthroid are generally ok, but with several cautions:
Make sure to tell your MD about the change from Synthroid to Unithroid. They may want to monitor you or check levels in 4-6 weeks.

What you want to avoid with this medication is frequent changing of brands- hopefully your pharmacy stays with Unithroid. If you find that they change brands again or if you have to use a different pharmacy that uses a different brand, you may want to return to Synthroid and stick with it.

There are many meds that a change of generic manufacturer would not cause any problem or be any reason for concern, even if it switched frequently, but levothyroxine is not one of them.

 

[GrammyR]

Armour thyroid

I have been taking Armour for several years. I never took any other kind so I don't have any comparison. I believe that Armour is better because it is closer to our natural hormones. For great information, try checking out the web site. stopthethyroidmadness.com

 

[mterra]

What is your T4? When you have your blood drawn are you fasting? What are your symptoms? How long have you been on the original med? Have they thought about breaking up the dose--50mcg twice a day instead on 100mcg once a day? What about a 75mcg dose daily and increase twice a week from there? Once I put someone on med I usually reeval after 4 weeks, unless there are problems in the mean time. I've had only 2 people on armour, but I work in ob/gyn, so we kept them on what their internist started them on instead of playing around during a pregnancy. Has an endocrinologist been consulted?
Mary

 

[3kids4me]

Hi...as I mentioned, this is an endo doing the prescribing. Sstamm and mterra, are either of you physicians, or thyroid supplement patients? (mterra...you said you work in ob/gyn, but I was unclear as to whether you are a doctor? I thought your question about fasting TSH was interesting...what do you think the significance is of fasting vs. non-fasting TSH?) (I do pharma research for a living, so at this point I'm looking for real life experiences rather than anything that can be researched, since I can do that myself.) Thanks.

 

[sstamm]

Hi...as I mentioned, this is an endo doing the prescribing. Sstamm and mterra, are either of you physicians, or thyroid supplement patients? (mterra...you said you work in ob/gyn, but I was unclear as to whether you are a doctor? I thought your question about fasting TSH was interesting...what do you think the significance is of fasting vs. non-fasting TSH?) (I do pharma research for a living, so at this point I'm looking for real life experiences rather than anything that can be researched, since I can do that myself.) Thanks.

Hi 3kids,
I am a health care professional, but not a physician.
If it were me, I would press the endocrinologist for more info on why she wants you to switch, and what she thinks the conversion between levothyroxine and thyroid should be. It appears to me (and you) that she is significantly increasing your dose.

Good luck.

 

[Emily]

I took synthroid for years and I developed T3 - T4 conversion issues. My doctor switched me to armour thyroid and I did okay for several months after getting stabilized. Several months later, I had new issues with conversion and levoxyl was added back. When I was at the Mayo, they didn't want me taking "natural" because it is not possible to regulate the potency of the porcine thyroid and they believe a synthetic was a better choice so I was switched to cytomel instead of armour. I have been on the same dose for over 3 years without issues. T3 and T4 levels are both good.

Edited to add: I take both . . levoxyl and cytomel

 

[NTHC]

I am curious about the fasting vs non fasting bloodwork for TSH as my doctor has never told me to fast before my bloodwork. I have been on levoxyly for 5 years, but almost each time I have bloodwork my dosage has to be changed a bit.

I am wondering if I may need to get a second opinion after reading this thread.

And quite honestly, I feel more tired when I am taking the medicine than when I am not. Which yes, I have done my own self medication, experimenting with taking different amounts based on how I feel over a period of time.

I am heading to the Armour website now to read up on this which I have not heard of.

Thanks,
Cindy

 

[Rose Pink]

... I take both . . levoxyl and cytomel

I did that for awhile, too, but did not notice any difference.

I did lose weight because any type of thyroid med needs to be taken on an empty stomach. Since I was taking the cytomel 3 times a day (if I remember correctly) that meant several periods of not eating for 3 hours. I joked that I had discovered a magic pill for weight loss. Just give any old sugar pill but tell people it only works on an empty stomach--meaning nothing to eat for two hours prior and one hour after the pill. Take the pill three times a day.

 

[mterra]

TSH levels are determined through a complex negative feedback loop involving the hypothalamus, pituitary, and thyroid glands. When levels of the thyroid hormones T4 and T3 become low, the hypothalamus sends the hormone TRH to the pituitary gland, which causes the pituitary gland to release more of the hormone TSH. This TSH (which stands for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) goes to the thyroid gland and causes the thyroid to release more T4 and T3. If the thyroid gland is failing, it isn’t able to release enough T4/T3 to meet that person’s needs, so the TSH stays elevated.

TSH is released in the early morning hours after midnight than at any other time of day, so TSH is always higher in the early morning than it is in the early evening. The TSH fluctuates within a 24-hour period in everyone because of this diurnal TSH release. For that reason, you should be consistent about always getting blood drawn early in the day every time you have thyroid labs done.

Each person is different. Medications are going to work differently each persons body chemistry. What one medication does for one may not have the same effect on another. Sometimes your chemistry gets used to the same medication or dose over time. You may need to change a dose or add another medication on top of the one or change meds all together. It can be alot of trials. Depression/anxiety medicines work differently for people. Birth control pills have different effects on people. On and on. Everyone is going to have different opinions. To make the best decision, it is research, talking to your provider and making an informed consent. you need to follow up for evaluation and fine tuning if needed. The decision in ultimately yours. Medicine is not a perfect science.

 

[3kids4me]

I spoke to my doctor on Monday and told her I only felt comfortable switching to 1.5 grains instead of the full two, since that seemed more in line with the conversion chart. However, starting last night I have been incredibly exhausted...unlike anything I have felt before. I even woke up exhausted!

It's only been five days since I stopped taking Levoxyl, and the half life on it is around a week, so I'm surprised I feel this bad. I suppose it could be comp Not sure what to do (up the Armour or just go back to the Levoxyl), although obviously I will be calling her as soon as they open.

 

[cerralee]

I started the Armour after beginning a bio-identical replacement regimen. The Armour was added about six months in when my second set of blood work came back with thyroid lacking. I think it is everything in combination but I no longer have the "fuzzies" (slow working thought patterns and inability to come up with coherent sentences). I have more energy and am sleeping ever so much better. There are some other benefits to the bio-identicals that are probably inappropriate to post here :whoopie: .

 

[Emily]

Bioavailability of armour is 48- 79%

of that 95% is available 4 hr after you take the medicine - peak level.

Changing thyroid meds is a process that is not fun. Have you read post at Mary Shomon's about.com thyroid forum? I spent a large amount of time there when I was trying to get my levels straightened out. http://thyroid.about.com/


The thyroid produces T4. The T4 is converted to T3. Levoxyl is T4 supplementation which relies on conversion to T3. Some people have difficulty converting T4 to T3. So, a predominately T3 (armour, cytomel) is given. Some people convert some but not enough, hence the need for T3 & T4.

 

[Rose Pink]

...incredibly exhausted.... I even woke up exhausted!

Welcome to my world. I finally gave up. My TSH, etc comes in within normal range. My doctor said that someday there will be a simple test one can do at home (similar to glucometer for blood sugars) that will test TSH at home and then the thyroid meds can be adjusted daily in response to what the body needs right now--not what the lab said you needed at one point in time.

I've gone the bioidentical hormone route, the cytomel, the armour, etc. Nothing works. Nothing makes me feel different. I read Shomon's book, too.

I think much of my problem is untreated sleep apnea--I even dream I am suffocating. But the sleep studies say it is mild and I don't qualify for treatment. I guess I'll just have to die first.

 

[3kids4me]

Wow Rose, sorry to hear that.

Well, I wasn't exhausted on the Levoxyl, just mildly tired. So I guess I may just go back to that!

 

[Rose Pink]

Wow Rose, sorry to hear that.

Well, I wasn't exhausted on the Levoxyl, just mildly tired. So I guess I may just go back to that!

You may want to give it a little more time and play with the dosages before you give up so soon. These things can take time. Also, I don't know how old you are but fluctuating estrogen, etc can also play havoc with your energy levels. I was on estrogen for a year and then went off because that is when the studies came out about how dangerous it was. I fell asleep driving to work so the doctor tested my thyroid and that's when it finally tested low enough to put me on Synthroid. A few years later a different practitioner tested my antibodies to find out it is Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Thyroid hormones are affected by other hormones and vice versa. Change one and you change the others. Throw in some life stresses and you change the balance again.

 

[Emily]

I'm sorry Rose that nothing has worked for you. I remember the days of not making it pass the couch and staring into space a good part of the day.

TSH is a small part of thyroid function diagnosis. It is a test of the thyroid stimulating hormone. Many people can have a normal TSH and feel poor. That is why docs also do free T3, free T4, T3, T4 in addition to TSH when they are initially adjusting doses, or that is what I am used to. I still have a free t3, t4 and TSH done 2 times a year.

It takes about 6 weeks between medication changes for blood levels and the thyroid to adjust. Its not like the liver, glycogen and diabetes where you can adjust the dose often. My doc, the mayo, the endo before, all had me wait the 6 weeks for blood testing after making a change.

I am not a medical professional. I did spend years going from dr to dr and researching before I got my thyroid regulated. I am a fulltime nursing student.