Aa
Thinking I should switch to Armour from T4/T3 combo
Labs done on 2-3-14 Medication was about 63mcg Synthroid and 10mcg Cytomel
(Hashi's confirmed High antibodies)
Thyroxine 7.0 (4.7 - 13.3)
Thyroxine, Free 0.97 (0.60 - 1.50)
TSH 4.27 (0.34 - 4.82)
Triiodothyronine, Free 2.3 (1.8 - 4.2)
Labs done on 4-1-14 75mcg Synthroid 20mcg Cytomel
Thyroxine 6.8 (4.7 - 13.3)
Thyroxine, Free 0.92 (0.60 - 1.50)
TSH L 0.09 (0.34 - 4.82)
Triiodothyronine,Free 3.3 (1.8 - 4.2)
I understand that I want my FT4 at about 50% and my FT3 at about 67% of it's range. I'm not sure of the math, I just know the lab #'s have improved, but my back is killing me daily! I'm only 48 years old and haven't had too many health issues at all, other than a hysterectomy when I was 40. Other than that, I've only had back problems and in 2010 had an X-ray and was told I have arthritis. Never had any pains, except when it "went out" (walked crooked) chiropractor puts it back in and I'm good to go.
This whole mess started back in September, was thrown on 88mcg Synthroid and have never felt "normal" since.
Anyone else have these problems, then get switched to a desiccated thyroid pill (Armour) and feel like yourself again? I'm having a hard time excepting that I'm gonna be in this kind of pain, like I'm a 100 years old, from now on. It all started when I started taking Synthroid.
(Hashi's confirmed High antibodies)
Thyroxine 7.0 (4.7 - 13.3)
Thyroxine, Free 0.97 (0.60 - 1.50)
TSH 4.27 (0.34 - 4.82)
Triiodothyronine, Free 2.3 (1.8 - 4.2)
Labs done on 4-1-14 75mcg Synthroid 20mcg Cytomel
Thyroxine 6.8 (4.7 - 13.3)
Thyroxine, Free 0.92 (0.60 - 1.50)
TSH L 0.09 (0.34 - 4.82)
Triiodothyronine,Free 3.3 (1.8 - 4.2)
I understand that I want my FT4 at about 50% and my FT3 at about 67% of it's range. I'm not sure of the math, I just know the lab #'s have improved, but my back is killing me daily! I'm only 48 years old and haven't had too many health issues at all, other than a hysterectomy when I was 40. Other than that, I've only had back problems and in 2010 had an X-ray and was told I have arthritis. Never had any pains, except when it "went out" (walked crooked) chiropractor puts it back in and I'm good to go.
This whole mess started back in September, was thrown on 88mcg Synthroid and have never felt "normal" since.
Anyone else have these problems, then get switched to a desiccated thyroid pill (Armour) and feel like yourself again? I'm having a hard time excepting that I'm gonna be in this kind of pain, like I'm a 100 years old, from now on. It all started when I started taking Synthroid.
You're right, it wasn't good for me! And probably one of the reasons I stayed on it so long was because of soooooooooooo many others are taking it and don't have issues with it.
Hopefully for those people where their doctors won't prescribe anything else, know they need to find another doctor. The doctor that I worked with for 8 years and also was my family physician for more than 30 years is one who basically told me T3/T4 combination medication and Armour were hogwash, needless to say, he's no longer my doctor.
People also need to be aware that their doctor needs to treat their symptoms and not their lab results. They are hard to find, but they are out there.
I was happy to learn from this forum, how to go about finding a good doctor. I called a compound pharmacy and asked for the doctors who prescribed NDT and T3/T4 combination medications.
Hopefully for those people where their doctors won't prescribe anything else, know they need to find another doctor. The doctor that I worked with for 8 years and also was my family physician for more than 30 years is one who basically told me T3/T4 combination medication and Armour were hogwash, needless to say, he's no longer my doctor.
People also need to be aware that their doctor needs to treat their symptoms and not their lab results. They are hard to find, but they are out there.
I was happy to learn from this forum, how to go about finding a good doctor. I called a compound pharmacy and asked for the doctors who prescribed NDT and T3/T4 combination medications.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I'm glad to hear that you're doing so well. Some people really do need the Armour.
I do take a bit of exception to Synthroid being called poison, though. You didn't do well on it, but there are those that take it and do just fine. Those are the people who don't seek out forums like this. Additionally, there are doctors who will prescribe nothing else and I'd hate for people who have no other option, to think they can't get well without Armour, because they certainly can.
I do take a bit of exception to Synthroid being called poison, though. You didn't do well on it, but there are those that take it and do just fine. Those are the people who don't seek out forums like this. Additionally, there are doctors who will prescribe nothing else and I'd hate for people who have no other option, to think they can't get well without Armour, because they certainly can.
I forgot to mention my back, I've had issues for years with my back, only when it "goes out" and then I get adjusted and it's fine. Well, when I was on the Synthroid, I couldn't tell exactly if it was out or not, just plain hurt all the time, so hard for me to explain it. Now, I know when it needs adjusted and then I'm good to go. I think it's been going out more now, only because I had become so inactive from all the pain I was in. Now that I feel so much better, I'm slowly regaining my strength!
Update: Lab results on Armour 30mg twice a day ( 60mg total )
Free T4 0.68 (0.60 - 1.50)
TSH 2.37 (0.34 - 4.82)
Free T3 2.7 (1.8 - 4.2)
After these results, which aren't too bad, but on the low side he raised it to 90mg total a day, 2 in the morning and 1 at night.
I take them first thing in the morning (5:30am) with a full glass of water, and was waiting an hour before I'd have coffee (I don't wait now) and the next pill about an hour before dinner, which is about 5:30pm.
I feel fantastic! I've even lost about 6 pounds ( I packed on nearly 20lbs) without even trying. (I've always been able to eat whatever I wanted and as much as I wanted without gaining, I have to watch a little now) No weird aches and pains! I only wish I hadn't taken the Synthroid for so long, I kept saying it was poison too.
For me, Armour is definitely the answer! I only hope this helps someone out there!
Free T4 0.68 (0.60 - 1.50)
TSH 2.37 (0.34 - 4.82)
Free T3 2.7 (1.8 - 4.2)
After these results, which aren't too bad, but on the low side he raised it to 90mg total a day, 2 in the morning and 1 at night.
I take them first thing in the morning (5:30am) with a full glass of water, and was waiting an hour before I'd have coffee (I don't wait now) and the next pill about an hour before dinner, which is about 5:30pm.
I feel fantastic! I've even lost about 6 pounds ( I packed on nearly 20lbs) without even trying. (I've always been able to eat whatever I wanted and as much as I wanted without gaining, I have to watch a little now) No weird aches and pains! I only wish I hadn't taken the Synthroid for so long, I kept saying it was poison too.
For me, Armour is definitely the answer! I only hope this helps someone out there!
please keep us posted in another 30 days to let us know if you are still pain free hence would help a lot of us see if it is you being hypo like a lot of us or the armour is that different for you. I know everyone is different. what time of day are you taking your armour apart like that.....I am curious....and thanks for posting updates! So many people never come back later to post a update of their progress in one direction or another...
Well, all I have to say is I wish I hadn't ever taken the Synthroid! It's only been 7 days that I have taken Armour, but I cannot believe the difference! I finally feel like myself again! The first few days, kind of thought it must have been mind over matter, but now I know otherwise!
Well, I will be starting Armour 30mg twice a day. He would not up my T4 either, which was fine with me. I'm not sure how you could determine that it's not the Synthroid that disagrees with me. All I know is it didn't seem to matter what combination, we tried, it wasn't working. And I certainly didn't want the pains back from when my Ft4 was at 96% of it's range.
Texas_grandma I sure hope it works for you!
Texas_grandma I sure hope it works for you!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Sorry, I posted the right information, just addressed it to the wrong person.
COMMUNITY LEADER
While there are people who react to fillers/binders in Synthroid and/or other meds, I don't see anything to indicate that, in this case. The T4 dose simply isn't high enough - and yes, that could be because of the higher FT3 due to the cytomel. You'll get the same effect only greater on Armour, because of the high amount of T3.
Again, you're the only one who can make that decision and I'm certainly not trying to talk you out of anything. I just want to make sure you see the full picture.
If your back pain is related to thyroid at all, it's most likely a hypo symptom.
Again, you're the only one who can make that decision and I'm certainly not trying to talk you out of anything. I just want to make sure you see the full picture.
If your back pain is related to thyroid at all, it's most likely a hypo symptom.
I can't help, but my new doctor switched me to Armour (I took my first one today), so now I just have to wait and see. I don't have any 'new' pain, but I never felt better than 'yuck'. Hopefully soon I will :)
I have heard of people who were sensitive to the fillers in Levo and Synthroid...maybe it's an issue for you?
I have heard of people who were sensitive to the fillers in Levo and Synthroid...maybe it's an issue for you?
You may also be having a sensitivity to the fillers in synthorid. You may want to first try to change manufactuerer of the T4 medication before you start a whole new regime and have to start from scratch.
I'm not sure I've ever read someone here complaining that synthroid has caused back pain/arthritis.
On the other hand, joint pain is a relatively common symptom of being Hypo.
The the question that remains unknown, is the back pain being caused by a back problem that is separate from anything medication related. Is the back pain caused from synthroid, or is it being caused from being undermedicated and remaining hypo and need more T4?
My thought would be to try to change brands of T4 and ask your Dr to increase the dosage of T4.
You may have to ultimately reduce the T3 (cytomel) dosage in order to try to get the FT4 up to 50% of the range without resulting in a too high of Ft3 level.
Your TSH is suppressed primarily due to your T3 dosage. So it can be ignored at this point.
I'm not sure I've ever read someone here complaining that synthroid has caused back pain/arthritis.
On the other hand, joint pain is a relatively common symptom of being Hypo.
The the question that remains unknown, is the back pain being caused by a back problem that is separate from anything medication related. Is the back pain caused from synthroid, or is it being caused from being undermedicated and remaining hypo and need more T4?
My thought would be to try to change brands of T4 and ask your Dr to increase the dosage of T4.
You may have to ultimately reduce the T3 (cytomel) dosage in order to try to get the FT4 up to 50% of the range without resulting in a too high of Ft3 level.
Your TSH is suppressed primarily due to your T3 dosage. So it can be ignored at this point.
COMMUNITY LEADER
You haven't gotten good results, because your med dosage isn't optimal. You need higher FT4, and if you convert at all, your FT3 will track up a bit higher, as well.
Most of us who have had hypothyroidism have been through more med/dosage changes than you can shake a stick at. You just have to keep trying.
Some people find that Armour is the answer, while others find that it only complicates matters. The choice is always yours.
Most of us who have had hypothyroidism have been through more med/dosage changes than you can shake a stick at. You just have to keep trying.
Some people find that Armour is the answer, while others find that it only complicates matters. The choice is always yours.
I'm starting to wonder if the Synthroid is causing me the problems (pain, constant pain). I understand that by blood work isn't "optimal", but I've been through several dosage changes and can't get good results.
I guess I was hoping someone had the same experience and switching to a NDT was the answer.
I guess I was hoping someone had the same experience and switching to a NDT was the answer.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I'm not sure why you want to switch to desiccated hormones. Your FT3 is at 62% of its range, which is right where it should be. Rule of thumb is upper half to upper third of its range. Your FT4 is dismal at only 0.92 - it's actually gone down from your last labs.
Looks to me like the only thing you need to do is increase your Synthroid to get your FT4 up where it needs to be.
You should be aware that many people on desiccated hormones tend to have too low levels of FT4 and have to supplement them, with synthetic T4. Why make that change when you can just increase your current dose of synthroid?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to talk you out of switching; I'm just confused as to why you want to, when your FT3 is right where you want it and you only have to increase your FT4 level.
Armour was reformulated back in 2009 and while some people had issues with it at first, I haven't heard of any real problems since then.
Looks to me like the only thing you need to do is increase your Synthroid to get your FT4 up where it needs to be.
You should be aware that many people on desiccated hormones tend to have too low levels of FT4 and have to supplement them, with synthetic T4. Why make that change when you can just increase your current dose of synthroid?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to talk you out of switching; I'm just confused as to why you want to, when your FT3 is right where you want it and you only have to increase your FT4 level.
Armour was reformulated back in 2009 and while some people had issues with it at first, I haven't heard of any real problems since then.
One other question, which NDT would be the best? Seems I've read something about Armour being reformulated?
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