newly diagnosed and prescribed levo, but I want to try armour.

[lulujeanne]

Hi Everyone,

I am a newbie on here and have put my first post on the newly diagnosed section with all my background info

My main query is, I have been diagnosed hypothyroid by Dr skinner, and he has suggested starting with levothyroxine. However after reading alot of posts about levothyroxine not helping others to get better alone until t3 or armour is added, I am wondering if I should take levo or ask Dr Skinner to start me on armour?

I do not have my t3 score, so i am unsure if I need it, but as depression is one of my main symptoms, and i have read about T3 being extremely helpful for patients with hypothyroidism, I am wondering if levo alone will help me?

I know I need to trial out levo and see how it goes, but I guess because im struggling so much at the moment with symptoms I dont want to mess around.

Does anyone know if a person could start treatment after diagnosis on armour or t4 and t3? or it is standard to start with levo?

one thing im thinking of doing is ordering a private t3 test so I can give Dr Skinner more of a picture of what my levels are as my GP cannot run this test apparently.

thanks for reading my post,

Lou x

[Moggie]

A private T3 test is a good idea, not just for your own records, but to give Dr Skinner a better idea as to what is going on. Have a look on the main thyroiduk website for a list of private labs or try asking your GP how much they would charge to do a private test.

I would give T4 a go for at least three to six months first as some people do very well on T4 and to have to source Armour or T3 privately can be both expensive and a bit of a mission. Hopefully you will be one of the lucky one's that gets on well on T4 only but if you dont give it a fair trial you wont know.

I can understand why you want to jump straight in, being ill for as long as you have can not have been easy, but both T3 and NDT (armour) can be tricky to manage so, as I have already said, give T4 only a fair go first.

Moggie x

[lulujeanne]

Hi Moggie,

Firstly, thanks for your quick reply, I think you've made a very good point, T4 may work for me alone, but I dont know if I dont try! I will give it 6 months and see how I go, I'm seeing Dr Skinner in 2 and a half months for a review, so I can chat to him about this too. Thanks also for your advice about t3 testing, i will look at thryoid UK and ask my GP about the cost of private testing too.

Here's hoping t4 works, I think I am a little impatient with this to be honest, but just getting a diagnosis is amazing

Hope you have a good evening,

Lou

[Moggie in reply to lulujeanne]

Glad you found my reply useful and I think you are taking a very sensible attitude to this illness and all it entails - with that attitude you will get things under control sooner rather than later.

I was on T3 for a while, which I got fom my GP (a rare occurance, and getting rarer) but it caused heart issues and I had to go back on T4 only so you can see why I suggested giving T4 a chance first. I didn't do well on T4 only under my GP's guidence but since my endo has corrected my low vitd, low iron and low ferritin and I have corrected low B12 I am doing fine on T4 only Just goes to show how important these vitamins are for our bodies to be able to use our medication.

Have a good day

Moggie x

[tegz]

I was going to put on your other post that T4 was not always a clear path.

I felt bad for weeks on it and only latterly felt more my old self.

I think, from looking at many posts on here, that T3, if needed, is a good option -but even trickier to manage a lot of the time. It's about 5 times stronger than T4 and so has that greater potential to go adrift- if it's going to do so.

Many users seem to take to both well- but we hear a lot of the problems on here, as so many are having issues, one way or another but all moving forward- that's the important bit!

Def. give T4 a chance -and bear in mind the above.

[Hidden]

I have been hypothyroid for 11 years and did very well on T4. It was diagnosed early and I probably didn't have, at that time, any other issues, such as vitamin or mineral deficiency.

As previous posts suggest it is well worth giving T4 a try and make sure all your other tests are okay as well like iron, folate, ferritin, B12 etc. Life is just simpler on T4.

[Heloise]

stopthethyroidmadness.com/t...

It is an easier path in the UK if you can use T4. I am not in the UK but many of my friends are also on T4 and none of them are completely WELL from my observation. It took six years before I could persuade someone to prescribe Armour so I also have residual problems from T4. This was years and years ago and hopefully people, like you, will have options if they don't feel well on T4.

[editfmrt]

I read your post and was going to say exactly the same as Moggie.

Dr S is renowned for starting on the best and easiest route as the first step. Many many people do perfectly well on T4 only but probably don't come to these sites because they don't need help.

Dr S will be the first person to suggest an alternative IF T4 doesn't work for you but all thyroid medication can take a while to see improvements, especially after a long period of neglect or misdiagnosis.

I would also be sure to address your B12 issues as posted in your blog - you may find thus is the root of many of your problems.

Good luck. X