Is it OK to come off of Armour cold turkey? - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,248 members166,507 posts

Is it OK to come off of Armour cold turkey?

Justy profile image
7 Replies

Feeling spo rough on Armour i have decided to stop, but wondering if there will be any side effects from stopping. Will my thyroid kick back in to make up for it as i presume the Armour has been surpressing my own function.

Been on Armour for approx 4 months.

Written by
Justy profile image
Justy
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
7 Replies
shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

You would have to replace Armour with another thyroid gland hormone such as levo, T3 or another NDT. I had to try several to find one that suited me.

Justy profile image
Justy

Hi Shaws, thanks for the reply. I was Dx by Dr Skinner after 17 years of ill health with M.E. My bloods where in range but low. I dont have the option of trying another type- i tried Levo 2 years ago with no effect. The Armour also has not made me feel better in general i feel worse than when i started. Just wnt to know what will happen. Have stopped from today.

PinkNinja profile image
PinkNinja in reply toJusty

It might be worth seeing if you can try a low dose of t3. If your adrenals are not good, as a result of being ill for so many years, you might not be able to activate the t4 in Armour. It would also be a good idea to get your serum iron, ferritin, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. It might be that, once these are sorted out, thyroid hormones start to help you.

I'm so sorry you haven't found an answer to your poor health. I hope you find some relief soon.

Carolyn x

Heloise profile image
Heloise

Justy, listen to Carolyn. If you are ill but can't handle thyroid hormone, your adrenals might be the reason. Will Dr. Skinner advise you about that?

How much Armour are you taking? If 15 or 30, it probably won't hurt but if you are on one grain or more I think I would ease back slowly. Your body will deplete it slowly anyway since blood level will become more and more reduced of the hormone.

drrind.com/therapies/Adrena...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/a...

galathea profile image
galathea

I have never tried armour because of the problems it had a few years ago, but there are several other brands of natural thyroid.... Why are you sticking with armour - which is just one of the brands? Erfa from canada, is said to be closest to Armour. (Made me hypo though). Nature throid is the one with the least allergens, (got on fine with it) , the new one is I think, called Acella, or its made by acella? ( someone help me out here). There is Thyroid S (made me hypo). And there is Thiroyd. ( I do great with it).... So plenty for you to try, One of them may suit you.

Xx. G

Justy profile image
Justy

Thanks for all the replies and lots of good suggestions.

My new plan:

2-3 weeks off Armour altogether (had just worked up v slowly to 1 grain) Dr S Clinic says this will be fine.

Do Genova saliva adrenal test kit.

Do Vit D testing kit (cheap blood prick one from the london hospital)

Continue with CO Q 10 (i am deficient) and Selenium (i have gene blockage going on here which means i dont utilise antioxidants well)

Send Dr S results with note saying how i am feeling.

Restart Armour (if adrenal results ok) at 1/4 grain, working back up to 3/4 then alternate days of 3/4 with days of 1 grain for 1 month (this is what Dr S wants me to do now - but i really feel i need a rest from it to assess rather than trying the alternate 3/4 and 1 grain regime straight away)

If adrenal results awry as Dr S for low dose steroid support with Armour. (not keen on this as steroids have wrecked my immune system in the past)

OR have complete break from thyroid drugs for a few months and work with herbalist who has helped me a lot in the past on adrenals and try and convince GP to refer for iron injections (ferritin has been in boots and been anemic on and off for years WITH supplementation)

B12 is now persistent;ly high after 18 mths of daily self injecting (was 230 but considered 'normal' when i started this - after about a year the injections stopped making me feel any better)

I have been working on getting better for the past 4 years and it is a very long and slow path, with many ups and downs, but feeling a bit better today knowing that i have a plan in place and have been in contact (at last!) with Dr S's office.

Justy x

Samcozza profile image
Samcozza

Sometimes I think doc just won't your money I've stop taking all med hopefully it going to be ok blood work and more blood work for what it comes back the same gain weight losing hair they don't seem to care if I knee that this what was going to happen I would of never had it out

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

How to come off Armour or?

My partner has fibromyalgia and low thyroid , she started on Armour 1/4 Grain and increased by...
ainslie profile image

Cost to NHS of Armour

I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow and, presumably, will be told he'll replace my T3 with T4.  I've been...
Tracer profile image

Forest Armour is it any good?

Hi just looking on-line and I saw Mary Shomon had quite a bit of negative stuff to say about Forest...
jeanniex profile image

Is anyone getting ARMOUR THYROID on the NHS, is it possible?

The Endocrinologist was willing to recommend me to go onto ARMOUR THYROID amazingly! My GP seems...

Increasing Armour in response to lowered thyroid absorption/function...ok?

Reverse T3 was 18 LS/MS/MS early June in a range of 8-25 ng/dL. Hi, my TSH has steadily been...

Moderation team

See all
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.