I'm currently taking Armour NDT and have been for 6 months, working OK, but could be better.
I'd like to try another brand next time so that I can get a comparison and was thinking of WP Thyroid.
Has anybody tried this and what are your experiences?
Also, can anyone recommend (PM me) a trusted source.
Many thanks in advance.
Colin
Maybe a slight increase in Armour would relieve the remaining symptoms (just a suggestion) but pre the blood tests we took sufficient NDT until we were well.
I'm up to 3 grains which seems a lot higher than the 100mcg levo I was on and your right, there probably is still room for an increase.
I did try adding some Levo for a few days last week and it was surprising how fast some of my old symptoms came back into play, which I guess knocks the prospect of ever going down the T4/T3 route.
Again, before the blood tests the usual dose was between 200mcg and 400mcg and Dr Skinner and Dr P said nowadays we're given too low a dose and so did Dr Lowe who also said that because of that we can develop other more serious diseases which we definitely don't want.
Some take more than 3 grains - Excerpt:
Getting Started
According to Stop the Thyroid Madness (STTM), a safe starting dose is around one grain (or pill) a day which is 60 mg (for those with poor adrenals, starting lower is suggested). The STTM site says hold the starting dose for a week or two at the most to allow the body to adjust. Then start raising about 1/2 grain (or pill) every few weeks according to doctors guidance.
On the STTM they learned if they didn’t raise from a starting dose within two weeks, the hypothyroid symptoms started to return with a vengeance. So staying on too low a dose was a problem for them.
If hypothyroid symptoms still persist after reaching 2-3 grains (pills) a day, rather than raising more they found it best to hold their dose for at least 4 – 6 weeks to allow the body time to adjust. Raising higher at this stage could cause a patient to dose too high, resulting possibly in hyper symptoms like a fast heart rate, jitters and sensitivity.
Finding the Optimal Dose
STTM says most of us end up needing between 3 – 5 grains (pills) to reach our optimal dose. For people its higher and for others its lower. There isn’t a one size fits all. Personally, at one stage I raised as high as 3 1/4 pills thinking I need a higher dose, but I had a bad hyperthyroid reaction which included extreme noise, site, sound and sensitivity, as well as, irritability and edginess. So I eased back to find 2.5 pills was my optimal dose. You and your doctor have to explore and try things according to your individual needs, and the removal of hypothyroid symptoms.
Remember, too low a dose can be equally problematic to being on too high a dose. So think like Goldilocks and find the spot that’s “just right.”
Thor1956, have you had recent thyroid tests to check whether you are optimally dosed?
Hi, Colin. I took the old Armour for 15 yrs or so until the reformulation back in 2008/2009. Then I ordered Erfa out of Canada and it was heavenly... just like the 'old' Armour. Well, Erfa went wonky (some bad batches) last year so I was shopping for another natural thyroid brand.
I tried them all. Naturethroid just didn't quite cut it, also very chalky if you want to take it sublingually. Tried Thiroyd, Thyroid S, .... nope.. made me dizzy and just didn't feel right. Tried NP by Acella... and wow ! My body sang on that (others will know what I mean) but consistent availability was a problem. Finally tried WP by RLC Labs and I have been on WP for the last year or so and am very satisfied.
My numbers have remained stable thru all the experimentation and I tried all the various thyroid medications at my usual dosage..... just went from one to another and gave them all a three to four week trial except for the 'new' Erfa, thiroyd, thyroid S. I only stayed on those for a few days because of the dizziness/light-headedness.
I did not try the new, reformulated Armour because Armour prices have become so expensive. Now Armour has been bought out by another company and time will only tell if the new company changes anything yet again. If the new owners retain the same mfg facilities and the same formulation, it should be okay but who knows?
I know folks who are doing very well and are very satisfied with whichever brand of natural desiccated thyroid extract they take. The different brands all have their fans. But if I were to suggest a brand, it would be WP. Supply seems to be consistent and it has only two or three 'fillers'. The WP stands for Westhroid Pure. I think all the different brand names use the same USP natural desiccated thyroid extract in their formulations. It can be the various fillers and additives that cause different reactions in different users.
I agree with other posters that you should probably get new labs before you do anything, hopefully you can get your Ft3, Ft4, Rt3, an iron panel and d3 and B 12 checked at the same time. If this is your first time using D3, research adding K2 (with MK7) added to your protocol. K2 helps any calcium you ingest to go to your bones etc and prevents calcium ending up in your arteries and soft tissues. Avoid K2 if you are taking prescription blood thinners.
articles.mercola.com/sites/...
Phoenix,
Thanks very much for that, much appreciated. My vit D and B12 are pretty good, though I've only recently started taking VitC and Iron.
Not sure on Rt3, I dont think they do that on the Blue Horizon 10 test.
I'll keep with the Armour until my next test in Jan/Feb.
Thanks again.
Colin
Two questions regarding NDT meds
Questions on NDT, dosing and side effects
Where to have your Rt3 tested and an NDT question.
NDT
