My doctor want me to quit taking Aromour

Rosie1028 · 09-19-2008, 11:41 AM

I went to a new doctor yesterday and she asked me why I was taking Armour. She feels that it is a "dirty" drug. I have been on it for approx 6 years and I feel good.

I told her that it has the T3 and T4 and that it is not synthetic. My body likes it. She just feels that synthroid or something would work better and that we could add some T3 if I needed it.

Any input??! I take 1 1/4 grain.

jjkrhbb · 09-19-2008, 12:16 PM

Regardless of how your doctor feels, she needs to listen to how YOU feel. If you feel good on Armour, there is no reason to change it.

LaBigGirl · 09-19-2008, 10:47 PM

Rosie, I agree with the last post by jj. Don't fix what isn't broken. Your doctor needs to furnish you with a better argument than "dirty drug." That's pretty loose. If there is a true danger to you for being on Armour (like the co. is putting in weird fillers or is messing up the dosages from batch to batch), the dr. might have an argument.

If I were you, I'd gather statements posted by former Armour users who have switched over to synthetics--from this site or other support groups--to show how they experienced a decline in quality of life after the change.

For the record, I have been on synthetics since starting treatment and am sticking with them for the time being. Glad you have found something that you like though.

LaBigGirl · 09-19-2008, 10:53 PM

I forgot to add that your dr. may be nervous about your lab numbers if they aren't stable from test to test. Endocrinologists in my experience are numbers-people first and foremost. They need to make sure you are safe and in range, and whatever makes that easiest for them to control in you is the way they choose to treat you. For many drs., synthetic t4/t3 are the easy way to make you have consistent numbers (barring your actual thyroid gland kicking up).

Rosie1028 · 09-20-2008, 01:23 PM

Well the doctor called me back and my numbers aren't okay. My TSH is 2.83, which is high for me and my T3 and T4 aren't where they should be. One is really high and the other is way low. We talked about the Armour some more and she feels that the drug is just too inconsistant to help me maintain my thyroid. Thyroid does vary between pig to pig.

So, I have agreed to start Levoxyl, 100 mcg. I did express to her that I felt that it was really important to use "brand" only and not generics. She agreed. Anyway, I am going to have blood work done in a few months and I am hopeful and optimistic that we can figure this out!

LaBigGirl · 09-20-2008, 03:13 PM

Good luck, Rosie! I have always used levoxyl. I take 112 mcg with 5mcg cytomel each day. I only started the cytomel this summer, and I believe it has made a difference.

Somewhat Damaged · 09-21-2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosie1028

Well the doctor called me back and my numbers aren't okay. My TSH is 2.83, which is high for me and my T3 and T4 aren't where they should be. One is really high and the other is way low. We talked about the Armour some more and she feels that the drug is just too inconsistant to help me maintain my thyroid. Thyroid does vary between pig to pig.

So, I have agreed to start Levoxyl, 100 mcg. I did express to her that I felt that it was really important to use "brand" only and not generics. She agreed. Anyway, I am going to have blood work done in a few months and I am hopeful and optimistic that we can figure this out!

I hope the Levoxyl works well for you.

I just wanted to mention that while thyroids vary from pig to pig, the dessicated thyroid (I'm assuming it's a powder at that point) used to make Armour is tested for strength both before and after it's pressed to pill form, to ensure accurate potency.

Also, since synthetics are T4 only, I would find out which lab value was high and which one was low. If your T4 was high and your T3 was low, switching to a synthetic is likely to make you feel worse.

As it is, your doctor sounds like she has 'drank the kool-aid' when it comes to Armour. Really listen to your body through this transition, and insist on Armour if you start to feel worse.

Rosie1028 · 09-22-2008, 11:20 AM

Well, my T4 is low and my T3 is high. I am going to call and get my actual numbers. I have been exeriancing hot episodes and I have been dizzy with a weird sensation. I think it is the spiro I have started taking about a month ago and that my thyroid is off. I just don't want to lose any more hair!

When will I notice the new thyroid meds kick in??

vicandla · 10-07-2008, 10:51 PM

I personally will NEVER let me dr or anyone tell me to stop taking my armour because it saved mine and my DD lives, we actually have normality while having hypothyroidism, I personally would find another dr IF she cared she would have a better bedside manner, Good luck in whatever you decide.

Armour is not inconsistant they are always checking the batches they make, as far as your T3 and T4 did she check the Free T 3 and 4? because both of those numbers are suspose to be in the middle to high range for hypo people to feel their optimal!!!! Levoxyl is a name brand and I find it works best for me and Levothyroid as well. sounds like to me your dr is possibly getting a kick back for man made meds.