I'm a Mom Who's Had Hypothyroidism for About 13 Years. Need Info on Armour!

Hi there,

I feel your frustration. I started taking Levoxyl about 3 years ago. I just had my dosage increased from .50 to .75 after pulling teeth with both my doctors (OBGYN & primary) to get it increased. They both said I was within normal range. However, within 6 months that I had the 2 tests, I went from 1.87 to 4.83 - quite a jump, even though it's within normal range, something was not quite right, not to mention I was still feeling plenty tired & no energy. I had to argue with both my doctors to get it adjusted. They only test the general thyroid, not the T3 & T4 too. I've had them both for a long time & they are very good, but this episode really upset me. While I do feel a bit better, I am going to an endocrinologist. I am trying to get pregnant & I know that your thyroid levels can play a role in that. I haven't felt my normal self in quite some time either & everyone tries to pawn it off as life changes (marriage, new house, longer commute to work). I feel your frustration, R.. Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions that I should be asking the doctor or any advice, that would be great too!

~F.

Hi R.,
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 5 years ago. Luckily, I still lived in Germany at the time. Germany's health care system is very good and much more holistic than in the U.S. My doctor put me on a synthetic drug and I felt great, so I didn't feel like I needed to know more about that disease. When I moved to the U.S. about a year and a half ago, I was given Synthroid and soon after I started gaining weight and feeling sluggish again. I lead a very healthy lifestyle, I go to the gym and train hard everyday and eat mostly a vegetarian diet. All those things didn't help. So I started reading up on hypothyroidism and realized I had been on a different medecine back in Germany, a medecine wich combine T3 and T4 hormone replacement as opposed to only T4. I then changed doctors, who agrees that certain women feel much better with a different medecine or medecine combinations (wether synthetic or natural) and she's willing to try out a few with me. I'm pregnant now and we're just waiting for me to give birth before initiating those changes. So, your best bet is to educate yourself (one good book: Living well with hypothyroidism, Mary J. Shomon) and then find a doctor that takes you seriously. I don't know where you live, but I can recommend mine in Oak Park: Dr. Vanessa Klugman, Diabetes and Endocrinology Clinic, Rush Hospital. Feel free to contact me, should you have any more questions. Good luck! J.

Hello R.!

It's been 15 years since I've been diganosed with having Hypothyroidism. I am now 31 years old and I'm STILL waiting for the good side effects to kick in. (NO LIE) I've struggled with depression also and at this point in my life all I yearn for is to one day feel "good". I take my doses regularly and yet, it seems like whenever I go back in for my Labwork - my dosage has to get bumped up again. I asked my current Dr. "why? and when will it just level off?" she said that it may never "level off" and that's why we have to keep doing the bloodwork every 3 to 6 months.

I've been overweight pretty much most of my life - like another member here said; some Dr.s think you're a closet eater - and they dont take you seriously. When I was in my teens that was definitely the case - I was a child and couldnt possibly be eating "healthy" - even though I hardly ate. It seems as though I gain weight by breathing. I'm severely overweight now and have had many health issues: insulin resistance, infertility, and depression. I underwent infertility treatment for both of my pregnancies and that is when I was told I was insulin resistant. In my medical records my Reproductive Endocrinologist, wrote Syndrome X.

Just last week I went to Borders and picked up a book: Syndrome X: The Complete Nutritional Program to Prevent and Reverse Insulin Resistance. And the reason why I bought it was because the Dr. who diagnosed me with that term was a Dr. whom I trust very much and I thought it was worth looking into.

I am a busy SAHM of a 2.8 year old and a set of 10 month old twins - I dont have much time to read but I'm taking time to read this. I suggest you look for it in your local library or perhaps purchase it because the conditional symptoms you mentioned sound just like me and I think you might benefit in reading the book. Please look into it and feel free to contact me to chat or if you're feeling down.

I feel your pain, I really do - and although I've never heard of Armour I'm going to research it a bit and see what I find.

Sorry for the novel.

I, too, was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after the birth of my son. I've read about Armour, but since the Synthroud has worked so well for me, I haven't seroiusly looked into it. I would recommend doing some research via the about.com site on thryoid disease

http://thyroid.about.com/blthyroid.htm

There is plenty of information to sift through. Plus, the message boards give you the opportunity to "speak" with others and ask questions from those with first-hand experience. Good luck!

N.

I also have Hypo and I have had it for over 10 yrs. now and I am 34. I am on Synthroid and did ask my doctor about Armour and he did not recommend it. So I did change my eating habits but I also took up yoga which is also supposed to help with tyroid. I love it ,I have never felt better. I felt the difference after I changed my diet but when I started yoga I felt even better.
If you don't have the time to go to yoga classes just go to a few to learn the basics and then just do it at home. You will notice a difference.
Good luck and hang in there, I know how you feel.

I have been taking Armour since about February. I had the same syumptoms as you, tiredness, exhaustion, etc. I have had pretty good results. I feel better and I did lose a little weight (about 10 lbs) I didn't think weight was an issue because I am average weight, but I did lose a little.
I don't think you ever go back to normal after having a baby, but I have been pretty happy with the results.
I never took synthroid so I don't know how that works, but if you take Armour, be sure to give it time to start working. I didn't feel the full effect for about 4-6 weeks.
Good luck,
S.

Hello,
First of all I want to say that I am sorry for your problem. I have not had heard of the Armour but I would be willing to help you find some info on it if you would like, just let me know.

A little about me....I am a SAHM with 2 kids ages 6 and 10. I recently lost my 3rd baby and I am in the middle of an IVF cycle.

Hi, R.. I, too, had hypothyroidism that went undiagnosed for about 2 years. No one could figure out the muscle cramps, the moving through mud feeling, and the other joys. Ugh! I have not heard about this new drug, but if you'd be so kind as to let me know if you find out anything interesting. However, I do have a friend who is convinced that changing her eating habits, and turning to oriental medicine changed her life. Good luck on your journey. -R.

I started on Armour 2.5 years ago and saw very positive effects (including having more regular BMs go figure). I had been on Synthroid before then - with no real noticeable benefit. I got on Armour through Dr. Mercola's office in Schaumburg - his practice/website are pretty famous in cyberspace (www.mercola.com). Wouldn't necessarily recommend the practice wholeheartedly, but it is their practice to prescribe Armour to those who are hypothryoid.

Earlier this year, I needed a refill of Armour. I had since switched doctors, and my regular doctor (integratively-minded) was on maternity leave. Another dr. I saw there - didn't have good things to say about Armour, so she recommended me to Dr. Sheinin in Chicago. He said Armour was inconsistent (as mentioned by someone else as well) - so he put me back on Synthroid.

Bad move for me. I got depressed, and so fatigued, I could barely care for my then 9-month old son. I knew it was the switch to Synthroid.

Luckily by then my regular doctor came back and I told her my story, and she immediately put me back on Armour - and my symptoms went away.

I guess the important thing is to find a doctor who is willing to listen to your needs, and not just prescribe you what is "standard" as your needs may be different than the next person - and it is possible your needs include T3 (which Armour includes, as opposed to Synthroid). good luck!

R.,
I am so sorry. You must be exhausted!
YES, TRY ARMOUR. I have been hypothyroid for years. Some people need Armour, because Synthroid does not contain both T3 and T4. If the doctor just orders the TSH test, it will not reveal if the patient's body can convert one form to another. (I forget which way it goes.) Also, some doctors interpret the tests differently. What looks like a normal test result might reflect that a patient's levels are too low. In other words, many people whose results are in the normal ranges for the test actually need more thyroid medication. A very good book on this subject was written by Dr. Broda Barnes. Hypothyroisidm: Suspected Illness--something like that. I forget. Anyway, that book is very important on the subject. Also, I highly recommend seeing Dr. Gary Oberg in Crystal Lake. I know it's a long trip, but he is one of those doctors who also relies heavily on how the patient says he or she feels. Also, he treats many other problems, so the trip out there is worth it for my family. He is certified in pediatrics and also in allergy. He also has hundreds of hours in continuing education for related subjects. If you google him, you might be able to see what I mean. I cannot recommend him enough, even to someone who lives in the south suburbs. I know that there is help out there for you and that you can feel much better than you do right now. Good luck.
Please contact me if you need more information.
Amy

Hi,
I too have hypothyroidism and have been dealing with it since 1992. I was on Synthroid, and it seemed to be working until about 4 years ago. At that point, I began looking for alternatives. I looked into Armour and I told my Doctor at U of C the I wanted to take the drug. He would not prescribe it for me. He actually refused becasue he said that it was not a consistant dose of medication. I decided to buy the drug from Canada, and I took it for about 6 months. I did not notice a change in my health. I was tired, gaining weight like I was eating ten meals a day and depressed. I decided to investigate further into the thyroid function and I decided to change my eating habits. I removed all bad oils from my diet and I only eat Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Coconut Oil. I have found these two things to be key in my Thyroid health. I am currently taking Synthroid, but in addition I am eating thyroid supporting foods. When I first started this journey, I was 29 years old, 190lbs and I had no energy. Now I am 33 and 145lbs and I am running around like I did in my early 20's. If you wish to go on Armour, do it. It has had good results with many people. If it does not work for you, consider your eating habits. Processed foods and Bad fats actually slow down your thyroid function. I highly recommend you buy coconut oil. I buy mine in a gallon form one a year for $50.00 through Tropical Traditions. www.tropicaltraditions.com. They even have some research online between the link of the oils and thyroid. Through this process, I have learned that doctors only take a T3 and T4 blood test and they do not listen to patients. My doctor accused me of being a closet eater, which was why my weight was so high. I gained 25lbs in a years time and I was miserable. I was not a closet eater, I was offended at the comment because I had turned into one of those calorie counters and measurers, eating only 1000 calories a day and still gaining! Do yourself a favor, cut out the simple sugar and eat good healthy oils. You will feel better within 2 weeks and the weight will FLY off. Believe me, I am now a size 4/6 and I feel good!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good Luck!