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Whats the most accurate and widely used thyroid medication?
Confusion on what to take
by tiny701
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tiny701
Member since Feb 2009
, Feb 15, 2009 08:06PM
Tags: thyroid
I had my thyroids remove 5 yrs ago and been a mess every since. I just don't know whats the best mediciation to take. I recently switch to Armour thyroid for 18mths now, and haven't been able to regulate my levels yet. I just got my
blood test back and my levels were tsh 0.05 and my t4 is 0.64. The Dr. lowered my dosage from 135mg to 90mg. I am feeling so bad and the weight gain is horrible. I just don't know what to do anymore. Is that safe to lower the mg. like that and is Armour hard to regulate? I use to take Levothyroixn but just switch because Armour was natural. I don't know if that was smart of me or not. It seems like my eyes twitch and yesterday my cheek was twitching. I am so stressed about all of this. If you have any suggestions I would appreciate it. All my other blood work came out perfect. HDL,LDL.Chlorestrol.and so on...
Sincerely
tiny701
by tiny701
Leave a Note
Send Message
Add as Friend
tiny701
Member since Feb 2009
, Feb 15, 2009 08:06PM
Tags: thyroid
I had my thyroids remove 5 yrs ago and been a mess every since. I just don't know whats the best mediciation to take. I recently switch to Armour thyroid for 18mths now, and haven't been able to regulate my levels yet. I just got my
blood test back and my levels were tsh 0.05 and my t4 is 0.64. The Dr. lowered my dosage from 135mg to 90mg. I am feeling so bad and the weight gain is horrible. I just don't know what to do anymore. Is that safe to lower the mg. like that and is Armour hard to regulate? I use to take Levothyroixn but just switch because Armour was natural. I don't know if that was smart of me or not. It seems like my eyes twitch and yesterday my cheek was twitching. I am so stressed about all of this. If you have any suggestions I would appreciate it. All my other blood work came out perfect. HDL,LDL.Chlorestrol.and so on...
Sincerely
tiny701
has anyone tried ,time released T3 ?? many swear by it..as we know T3's half life is very short...
COMMUNITY LEADER
I was dx'd hypo in June '08; Hashimoto's in Dec '08. My PCP started me out on synthroid (said it HAD to be synthoid; not generic levothyroxine) which brought my TSH down to almost nothing and Free T-4 not much either; he refused to run free T-3. My dosage was adjusted downward 3 times and did very little to change TSH reading, but did bring Free T4 up where it should be, but without a Free T3 he would only have lowered my dose of synthroid again. During these months I felt absolutely horrible even though my PCP said there was nothing else wrong with me.
I was sent to an ENT for what they thought was an unrelated problem, but was actually stemming from thyriod issues; to make a long story short, the ENT referred me on to an endo. In the meantime, I had found a lab that will do some blood work without a doctor's order, so in Jan, I went and had a TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 (my PCP did not order blood work for 3 whole months, even though my dosage had just been changed and I was unregulated). Anyway, I got this blood work done just before my appt with the endo, so I had those results to take to my appt.
After considering my symptoms, and the most recent blood work, along with other blood work and lab reports that I gave him, he again lowered my dose of synthroid to 50 mcg (only he said it didn't matter if I used a generic) and added 10 mcg of cytomel daily. He also ordered blood work to be done in 4 weeks (not 12 like my PCP).
I will go this coming Friday for blood work again and we will see how the change has affected the numbers. I did go to generic levothyroxine, which I take when I get up in the morning and since the cytomel is dosed in 5 mcg tabs, I do split the dosage. I take one pill with my levothyroxine at 3:30 am and the second one as close to 9:30 am as I can.
I have been on this regimen for approx 3 weeks and I feel like a different person. I have more energy than I've had in years, my skin is starting to look normal again (it actually helps to apply lotion), my hair is getting healthier, brain fog lifted etc. I lost a few pounds within a few days of starting on the cytomel, but haven't stuck to my exercise very well due to a brutal work schedule, so haven't lost anymore. I do start getting tired around 3:00 pm or so, but that's ok because I have to go to bed really early (7:00-7:30 pm) because I get up so early. I've even started sleeping through most of the night, which just wasn't happening before.
My point is: I think it's necessary for each of us find a doctor who will listen and work with us and is willing to try different things (easier said than done - I just got lucky with the ENT and endo); then go for what works for us. In addition to getting lucky with my doctor, the info I found here on MH helped immensely. With the help of everyone here, I was able to filter through the info and use what applied to my situation.
I've read about the controversy regarding synthroid vs generic, vs armour, vs adding cytomel, etc and though I think it's important to be aware of possible problems, we have to find the combination that's right for our body. Since I have Hashi's and am still in the die off mode, I don't expect everything to go without any problems from now on, and I do still have some times when I don't feel just right; however, even then it's so much better than I was, I'll take it. I did forget that second dose of cytomel one day; I paid dearly for that and it took a couple of days to get back to normal again. So depending on your schedule, multiple dosing may not be right for some. I do sometimes run into a problem where I get busy and can't stop or just plain forget, but I get the dose as quickly as I can.
I feel so much better equipped to handle the problems that I'm sure will come up and at this point am more than willing to try something different if this regimen stops working.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
I was sent to an ENT for what they thought was an unrelated problem, but was actually stemming from thyriod issues; to make a long story short, the ENT referred me on to an endo. In the meantime, I had found a lab that will do some blood work without a doctor's order, so in Jan, I went and had a TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 (my PCP did not order blood work for 3 whole months, even though my dosage had just been changed and I was unregulated). Anyway, I got this blood work done just before my appt with the endo, so I had those results to take to my appt.
After considering my symptoms, and the most recent blood work, along with other blood work and lab reports that I gave him, he again lowered my dose of synthroid to 50 mcg (only he said it didn't matter if I used a generic) and added 10 mcg of cytomel daily. He also ordered blood work to be done in 4 weeks (not 12 like my PCP).
I will go this coming Friday for blood work again and we will see how the change has affected the numbers. I did go to generic levothyroxine, which I take when I get up in the morning and since the cytomel is dosed in 5 mcg tabs, I do split the dosage. I take one pill with my levothyroxine at 3:30 am and the second one as close to 9:30 am as I can.
I have been on this regimen for approx 3 weeks and I feel like a different person. I have more energy than I've had in years, my skin is starting to look normal again (it actually helps to apply lotion), my hair is getting healthier, brain fog lifted etc. I lost a few pounds within a few days of starting on the cytomel, but haven't stuck to my exercise very well due to a brutal work schedule, so haven't lost anymore. I do start getting tired around 3:00 pm or so, but that's ok because I have to go to bed really early (7:00-7:30 pm) because I get up so early. I've even started sleeping through most of the night, which just wasn't happening before.
My point is: I think it's necessary for each of us find a doctor who will listen and work with us and is willing to try different things (easier said than done - I just got lucky with the ENT and endo); then go for what works for us. In addition to getting lucky with my doctor, the info I found here on MH helped immensely. With the help of everyone here, I was able to filter through the info and use what applied to my situation.
I've read about the controversy regarding synthroid vs generic, vs armour, vs adding cytomel, etc and though I think it's important to be aware of possible problems, we have to find the combination that's right for our body. Since I have Hashi's and am still in the die off mode, I don't expect everything to go without any problems from now on, and I do still have some times when I don't feel just right; however, even then it's so much better than I was, I'll take it. I did forget that second dose of cytomel one day; I paid dearly for that and it took a couple of days to get back to normal again. So depending on your schedule, multiple dosing may not be right for some. I do sometimes run into a problem where I get busy and can't stop or just plain forget, but I get the dose as quickly as I can.
I feel so much better equipped to handle the problems that I'm sure will come up and at this point am more than willing to try something different if this regimen stops working.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
That's unfortunate that the Armour in Australia has had issues Deb. Is it true Armour off Forst Pharm? I don't know of anyone else produces Armour other then them.
I know with Forest Pharmacuticals - the Armour processed is very strict in processing and the levels of hormones is distributed appropriately. I have had telephone conferences with reps from there and feel I am getting the most up to date information any consumer can get on their processing levels and medication information. They are very open to speaking with thyroid patients on any questions they have regarding their medicines processed in their facility.
The UK is right now going through a ban on Armour. But it has nothing to do with the med itself and it's inability to help the patient. It is the UK Royal College of Physicians that have made the decision to punish any prescriber to the full extent when prescribing Armour ( and soon T3 in general)- not based on anything. The British Thyroid Association (BTA), would need a study conducted to set forth changes and this is the society that states
This is the same establishment that orders - " A TSH of more the 10 is "POSSIBLE" cause to "possibly" consider administering any thyroid medication or treatment for hypothyroidism! How tragic for those UK patients!
Here is UK information from the BTA and RCP that validates the poor movement of govered political health care.
http://notifixio.us/events/3447917
Also - UK conversions issues are ignored and only in rare situation will a physician look at giving even T3 - everyone has been forced in returning to thyroxine - some doctor are giving them T3 Cytomel to help aid them - but that could soon dimish quickly too. Again there is NO public "safety" harm that was implied that ruled this situation and doctors are explaining to their patients secretly of how unfair this is - but there hands are tied and are forced to comply. If this order is NOT complied with - . If not they risk being arraigned before the GMC. This is the problem with governed medical care. Once ROYAL word is set forth from the government - all MUST obey
This is NOT what I want for the US health care system at all. This is ignorance and politically suicidal for patients needed other forms of treatment. and will cause a stir in underground medical care that could prove unsafe for many!
Explain the ban in Australia to me Deb - I have information that only the UK is banned and many Aussie's are still recieving care with Armour. I spoke to two yesterday. It's not the prescribing choice of thyroid care - but still prescribed ( if you look for it) from what I am told.
Sorry this is off topic a bit - but it needs to be out there heard too.
I know with Forest Pharmacuticals - the Armour processed is very strict in processing and the levels of hormones is distributed appropriately. I have had telephone conferences with reps from there and feel I am getting the most up to date information any consumer can get on their processing levels and medication information. They are very open to speaking with thyroid patients on any questions they have regarding their medicines processed in their facility.
The UK is right now going through a ban on Armour. But it has nothing to do with the med itself and it's inability to help the patient. It is the UK Royal College of Physicians that have made the decision to punish any prescriber to the full extent when prescribing Armour ( and soon T3 in general)- not based on anything. The British Thyroid Association (BTA), would need a study conducted to set forth changes and this is the society that states
This is the same establishment that orders - " A TSH of more the 10 is "POSSIBLE" cause to "possibly" consider administering any thyroid medication or treatment for hypothyroidism! How tragic for those UK patients!
Here is UK information from the BTA and RCP that validates the poor movement of govered political health care.
http://notifixio.us/events/3447917
Also - UK conversions issues are ignored and only in rare situation will a physician look at giving even T3 - everyone has been forced in returning to thyroxine - some doctor are giving them T3 Cytomel to help aid them - but that could soon dimish quickly too. Again there is NO public "safety" harm that was implied that ruled this situation and doctors are explaining to their patients secretly of how unfair this is - but there hands are tied and are forced to comply. If this order is NOT complied with - . If not they risk being arraigned before the GMC. This is the problem with governed medical care. Once ROYAL word is set forth from the government - all MUST obey
This is NOT what I want for the US health care system at all. This is ignorance and politically suicidal for patients needed other forms of treatment. and will cause a stir in underground medical care that could prove unsafe for many!
Explain the ban in Australia to me Deb - I have information that only the UK is banned and many Aussie's are still recieving care with Armour. I spoke to two yesterday. It's not the prescribing choice of thyroid care - but still prescribed ( if you look for it) from what I am told.
Sorry this is off topic a bit - but it needs to be out there heard too.
I dont know if anyone is interested but in Australia Armour was 'banned' and is no longer prescribed even though the original manufacturer caem from New Zealand.
The reason it was banned was because they found that some Armour had 'irregular' amounts of T3 in it and there wasnt a standard basic dose of T3 in each batch. The batches differed meaning it was dangerous to prescribe Armour for anyone with heart problems etc.
They do however reccommend that a T3 be given with a T4 med if needed (conversion problems).
So there is a lot of controversy regarding Armour in Australia.
We do have 'Compounding' Doctors and Pharmacists here who will prescribe their own 'concoction' but under the Health and Foods Act, Armour ™ is banned.
Just information I thought some should know.
Personally I am on Thyroxin Sodium (T4) with the brand name Eutroxzig and have been since I went Hypo 5 weeks after RAI (June 2008) and doing really well on it although I must add that 'educating' myself was the secret to getting a good 'balance ' .
The reason it was banned was because they found that some Armour had 'irregular' amounts of T3 in it and there wasnt a standard basic dose of T3 in each batch. The batches differed meaning it was dangerous to prescribe Armour for anyone with heart problems etc.
They do however reccommend that a T3 be given with a T4 med if needed (conversion problems).
So there is a lot of controversy regarding Armour in Australia.
We do have 'Compounding' Doctors and Pharmacists here who will prescribe their own 'concoction' but under the Health and Foods Act, Armour ™ is banned.
Just information I thought some should know.
Personally I am on Thyroxin Sodium (T4) with the brand name Eutroxzig and have been since I went Hypo 5 weeks after RAI (June 2008) and doing really well on it although I must add that 'educating' myself was the secret to getting a good 'balance ' .
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