Synthetic thyroid: Levothyroxine (eg: Synthroid; Levoxyl; Levothroid; Unithroid) OR natural: Armour Thyroid; Westhroid; Nature-throid?

[cc120]

I would appreciate any comments regarding experiencing treatment with either synthetic or natural thyroid. Also, I have read that the new formula for Armour isn't as effective as the old one?

[shaws Administrator]

cc120 there was a reformulation with Armour about 3 years ago but things seem to have settled down now.

As regards synthetic v natural, many people do o.k. on the synthetic but the natural is more synergystic to human bodies and it also contains the hormones our bodies produce, i.e. T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin and maybe some other things we are unaware of.

I have experienced both synthetic (of which Eltroxin was best) and natural (not armour). For me, the difference between synthetic or natural cannot be compared.

I have tried several natural but found Naturethroid suited me best and everyone is different, so sometimes it takes a while to find one that suits.

[cc120 in reply to shaws]

Hi shaws, thank you for your excellent posting to my question.

[shaws Administrator in reply to cc120]

PS. synthetics have had more recalls than natural.

[cc120 in reply to shaws]

What does more recalls mean?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Levoxyl is currently unavailable.

It appears that Westhroid (which had been identical to Nature-Throid for years) has been replaced by Westhroid P (which is differently formulated).

Rod

[cc120 in reply to helvella]

Thank you Rod, out of interest here is a woman chronicling the benefits (with pics) she has experienced since being switched from Synthroid to Armour Thyroid: biggoodthing.com/armour-thy...

Also, a link of info of where to obtain desiccated thyroid/natural: thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

Here's link to US pharmacy, supplying Naturethroid, not sure if require prescription:

*** link removed in line with site policy ***

22.Do not post advertisements, links or information of any sort whatsoever, on where or how to obtain UK prescription only medications without prescription.

Guidelines available here:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[shaws Administrator]

Recalls, means that after complaints from patients (that in itself must take some time) about the product they were taking (levo) that something was found to be inconsistent and was withdrawn - maybe for just a time - the latest below.

thyroidhelp.org/forums/show...

[cc120 in reply to shaws]

Thank you shaws, I should have realised, thank you for the link.

[angelharley in reply to shaws]

I'm buying Nature Throid of internet, have been on it now for 6 mths and have lost a stone and a half.

I haven't told my GP yet and I still want to get my free prescriptions. How do u go about this Shaws?

[shaws Administrator in reply to angelharley]

Do you mean you want to have prescriptions for 'other medications' free? I should think you should still get them as you have hypothyroidism. The fact that you are forced to buy online to get well is not your fault and the GP can, if he wishes, prescribe naturethroid on a 'named basis'. You can always tell him that you have been forced to buy online but he can now see how well you are doing.

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

[Clutter]

The Levo names you listed are all USA brands. In the UK you'll be prescribed generic Mercury Pharma or Actavis in 100mcg and 50mcg or Wockhardt 25mcg. If you think MP doesn't suit, you can ask the pharmacist for Actavis and vice versa. They have different fillers.

Eltroxin is liquid levo for people with allergies and is expensive so you'll have problems getting your GP to prescribe it, and it is currently limited availability from the manufacturer MP.

Nature Throid & Westhroid are rarely prescribed by NHS doctors due to ignorance, prejudice & misinformation.

[cc120 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you for clarifying, most helpful.

[angelharley]

I'm buying Nature Throid of internet, have been on it now for 6 mths and have lost a stone and a half.

I haven't told my GP yet and I still want to get my free prescriptions. How do u go about this Shaws?

[sctjan]

I am taking levothyroxin for 7years. Thinking to use the nature, but which nature brand is good where I can get it. Someone say she is using the nature thyroid hormone. Have you discussed with your doctor? Do they agree? I live in USA. Tks.