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Armour adjustment question

Greetings everyone! I'm new to this great forum. Background: diagnosed with low testosterone, low TSH, low T4 a few years ago. Suddenly TSH and T4 pop back up to normal, but Testosterone remained low. Endrochrinologist prescribed T replacement (Testim), but couldn't absorb it. Went to shots, which amazingly only brought up the T to low range of "normal". Switched to bio-identical T (compounded) and I seem to be metabolizing it. But suddenly my T-3 drops, I begin to lose my nails, constipation, mega-anxiety, basal body temps in the mid-97s, etc. Doc puts me on Armour, which I took yesterday for the first time (one 30mg pill to be increased each week for three weeks to 90mg).

So here's my question (thanks for reading through that!): I have had a terrible headache that started about 1am this morning and continued through the day and evening. Also had some trouble sleeping from about 3am onward. Is this normal on such a small dose? Are there other side effects I should anticipate? Thanks everyone!
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Avatar universal
Thanks Peggy for the helpful responses. I just checked-out the Armour thread and can see that it will be very helpful.
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458072 tn?1291415186
henry

check out the armour posting and if you'd like, post your questions there. It will be great for others coming along with the same questions as yours.

Plus you can see what others have already posted and it might answer some of your questions.
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458072 tn?1291415186
henry, that is just indicative of adrenal problems. WHich usually arise when starting armour(the T3 triggers it)
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Avatar universal
Thanks Peggy (and the others). I didn't know about dividing the doses, but this makes sense and I will try it tomorrow. Good advice. I woke up early this morning with the worst, pounding headache, but it went away with some Ibuprofen and a few hours. Must say though, that it's been a bit of an emotional roller coaster (reactions to normal stress much more intense) today for no particular reason. Do any of you recall emotional highs and lows or stress sensitivity when starting Armour? Good news:  Armour has fixed the digestive problems I've had for many months and I feel less like a slug (a little more energy). Thanks again for everyone's help. This forum is great!
Helpful - 0
458072 tn?1291415186
Don't forget to divide your dosage. you can split it in 4 till you get a bit more adjusted, then back down to 3.

It is recommended to split it in at least 2 doses, as opposed to one daily dose.

also, try taking it sublingual...
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Avatar universal
I just switched from Levo to Armour 3 days ago.  I have the headaches and I hope will go away. My main concern right now is I hear people complaining that their hair start falling off. Is this a valid concern?

I also cut my dose from 60 Mcg to 30 Mcg as I felt it is too much even I was taking 75 Mcg of Levo. I will increase in two weeks.
Helpful - 0
393685 tn?1425812522
Yes the headache is totally normal and many get them starting Armour  or when they increase.

It sounds as though you may have that side effect for at least over a month due to your increase being each week by 30mgs.

I also have a doctor treating me after 6 yrs of hypohe//. He is bio identical and in 6 mths changed my whole well being.

It is so worth getting involved with these type of doctors.
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Avatar universal
Thanks so much Laura! You are absolutely right about the bio-identical hormones: they metabolize completely differently than the synthetic stuff. I am checking out the Armour information pages, which are very helpful. Thanks. Hope I can sleep tonight!
Helpful - 0
499534 tn?1328704178
headaches can be a normal symptom when increasing armour and should go away in a week or so. We have a thread here on people taking armour and dosage increases etc. Please join us. There are also armour information pages under the health pages.
That is great that you have a dr that understands how to increase dosage in a timely manner. Most do not.
Bio-identical hormones are fantastic aren;t they? Anyway, welcome and enjoy!
Helpful - 0
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