Armour??

[bfinger]

Hi all!

Happy (almost) holidays! I just started Armour (1/2 grain) on Saturday after not being on thyroid medication for the past month and last night I got the WORST night sweats. My calf muscles cramped pretty badly too.

I don't feel shaky or have a rapid heart beat though when taking it so my adrenals must be okay right? I actually still feel a little tired during the day (but I am battling a sore throat/cold as well that started yesterday).

Did anyone else have night sweats or any of the other above symptoms when they first started Armour?

[gimel]

It is hard to be sure of the cause unless you know your thyroid related test results from before and after starting on the med.  If you will post results and ranges shown on the lab report for Free T4, Free T3, and TSH we will be better able to help assess your status.

Are you still on thyroid med?  If so, what type and what is the daily dosage?

[ChrystalHallam]

I have rapid/hard heartbeat, chest pain and headaches from Armour.  iIth Levothyroxine, I had fatigue, and anxiety.

[goolarra]

If you want to increase your serum Mg level, Mg Citrate is a MUCH better choice.  Much more citrate is absorbed than oxide.  However, for constipation, you don't want it absorbed, you want it to end up in your gut, where it acts as a laxative.  Mg oxide can actually deplete serum Mg levels because of its laxative effect.  So, the two compounds have much different actions.  I keep both around and take Mg citrate daily, Mg oxide as needed, which is rarely, but a blessing when it is!  Mg oxide is a very gentle laxative.  

[bfinger]

I've been taking Mag citrate as I read somewhere that's the "better" form to use, but should I get Mag oxide as well?

[bfinger]

I've been trying to supplement AM and PM with C as I think I have some adrenal fatigue and I heard this helps, so I'll keep doing this for the iron issues as well. Thanks!

[goolarra]

Yes, or magnesium.  You want magnesium oxide for constipation.  Be sure to take any of these well (3-4 hours) away from when you take your thyroid meds.

[gimel]

Just take some Vitamin C with your iron supplement, that will take care of the problem.

[bfinger]

Ever since I got the results back at the beginning of the month, I've been supplementing with 5,000 D and Iron, as well as eating some more red meat. The iron constipates me though (Sorry if TMI) but it's obviously necessary so I'm taking it still.  

Last night I didn't have any night sweats so I think I'm getting more used to the T3, I feel a lot better today!

My TSH was never too high to start with, so maybe that's why it hasn't been that bad the month I was off meds. I didn't really feel toooo different the past month either, from when I was on Synthyroid to not. Weird. I actually feel like being on thyroid meds has made me feel worse the past year, but I'm still trying to figure this all out.

[goolarra]

Considering you'd been off meds for a month, those labs don't look too bad.  However, they do need improving.

Vitamin D and ferritin, on the other hand are pretty abysmal.  Both of those are necessary in order for T3 to get into cells and do its work.  Are you supplementing?

Do you feel you're getting more used to the T3?

[bfinger]

I have an appointment on January 9th to do new labs.
Here's the most recent labs I took (not being on any meds for a month)

TPOab - 15 (0-34)

Thyroglobulinab - <1.0

FT4 - 0.98 (0.82-1.77)

FT3 - 2.8 (2.0-4.4)

TSH - 3.28 (0.45-4.5)

Cortisol blood - 18.5 (2.3-19.4)

D - 25.8 (30-100)

Ferritin - 29 (15-150)

[goolarra]

Unlike Synthroid, which is T4 only, Armour has both T3 and T4 in it.  Most people find that taking T3 in multiple doses helps keep FT3 levels as steady as possible.  Usually, the first half dose is taken in the morning upon waking and the second half early afternoon.

Also, if you've never taken T3 before, it can take a little getting used to since it's much faster acting and more potent than T4.  I'd give it a few days to see if it works itself out.  

Going from 75 mcg Synthroid to 30 mg Armour also represents a significant decrease in meds.  30 mg Armour is roughly equivalent to 55-60 mcg Synthroid.  When will you reevaluate and increase?

Do you have recent labs to post with reference ranges?

[bfinger]

No, I'm just taking the 30 mcg in the morning.

I was on Synthyroid prior to the hiatus, 75 mcg

[goolarra]

Are you splitting your dose into two half doses?

It's not unusual for symptoms to worsen a bit or new ones to appear when starting meds (which after a month off, you basically are).  Were you on Armour prior to the hiatus?