can anyone explain to me the difference between levothyroxine and armour/nature thyroxine. and can I ask GP to change prescription.

[always-hopeful71]

currently taking 175mcg daily and always get told levels are fine even though I feel awful most of the time.

[helvella Administrator]

You will find quite a bit of information here:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

and on other pages on the site.

Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of the T4 thyroid hormone.

Armour/Nature-Throid/Erfa (and some others) are prescription desiccated porcine thyroid. That is, it is dried and ground up pig thyroid. It contains T4 and T3.

You can ask your GP to change you over but I very much doubt he will. A small proportion of people get desiccated thyroid prescribed on the NHS, another small proportion get it on private prescription, and others get it without prescription from abroad. (Many times GPs will help the person but are unwilling to prescribe it themselves.)

Rod

[shaws Administrator]

Levothyroxine is a synthetic thyroid gland hormone, introduced about the 1960's.

Armour, nature-throid and others are called 'Natural Dessicated Thyroid hormones' as they are made from pigs or cows thyroid glands. Armour has been in use more than 100 years and nature-throid about 75 years. Nature-throid (as I take it) has never been recalled at all and its T3 and T4 are always consistent.

Most doctors will not prescribe as Levo costs about £1.50 per month and the British Thyroid Association and the Royal College of Surgeons say that is the best. Levothyroxine has been recalled many times. Dessicated may cost about £20 per month but your GP could give you a private prescription on a trial basis which you would have to pay for. You can always phone up one of the suppliers and ask the cost. These are some links:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

Your GP also ca

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

You can also have some T3 added to a reduced T4 which works for a few people and if you get the booklet from Amazon, mark out what part interests you and leave it for your GP to read before your next appointment. They often wont have time to read and absorb information in a consultation.

amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...

[coetzeegisela]

Most for thyroid/metabolism queries -For hypothyroid Eltroxine, Thyroxine - prefer all presciption on reputable diagnosis. Most for low-running thyroid - perhaps an endocrinologist diagnonis with blood samples for verification.