Changing from t3 to armour

[Honor123]

Hi could someone please help xx I started to self medicate with t3 only but have a appointment with my Endo next Thursday and she thinks I am on Armour which she prescripted for me. Can I just stop takin t3 and go straight back o to armour thanks I. Advance

[Clutter]

Honor123,

You can but why would you want to? Presumably you weren't feeling well on Armour otherwise why would you switch to T3? If you've been on T3 for several weeks FT4 will be below range and it will take 7-10 days to absorb the T4 in NDT before FT4 starts rising.

[Honor123 in reply to Clutter]

Hi I was putting on weight and someone said that if I was on t3 it would help x I was on the phone with my Endo last week and said about changing to t3 rather than Armour (didn't tell her I was taking t3)🙄😏 she said she would have a chat about it next Thursday when I see her so that's why I need to get back onto Armour again sorry hope u understand this x

[Clutter in reply to Honor123]

Honor123,

Your labs are going to be different on T3 and Armour. There isn't time for your labs to change if you switch back to Armour now. Just tell your endo you've been self medicating.

[radd]

Honor,

Welcome to our forum.

The T4 within Armour takes 7/8 days to be absorbed but up to six weeks to saturate the body. Therefore, if you are worried about thyroid hormone test results it is too late to switch.

T3 (taken on an empty stomach) is rapidly absorbed and reaches a peak circulating concentration within two to three hours after ingestion but blood serum concentrations may remain elevated for six - eight hours.

After this time, blood serum concentrations start to decline, unless another dose of T3 is taken. Many members leave 12 - 24 hours between the blood draw and taking meds which will then reflect lower T3 levels.

Also be aware that because T3 arrives so quickly ( in the body) it's effect on the pituitary gland will reduces TSH. This will also happen with Armour and many doctors ( who don't understand T3 psychology) won't like a suppressed TSH.

It is not a good idea to keep switching meds as each time the body has to reacclimatise.

[Royheravi in reply to radd]

Hi I've seen you say it lasts 6-8 hours. After this every day my energy levels completely drop and don't pick up that much. Could this be down to diet or should I take another dose of T3??

Thanks for help in advanc

[radd in reply to Royheravi]

Royheravi,

Many members including myself find it helpful to split our T3 dose into two (or three) a day.

I am actually medicating NDT now (which contains T3) but my endo still recommends I take my second dose six - eight hours after the first (reasoning in above rely).

If your T3 levels are adequate you only need to split your daily dose .... not add any more.

[Honor123]

Hi there Radd i very foolishly changed (if u read comment above) now I need to change back b4 I see Endo next Thursday x 😰😰😘

[radd in reply to Honor123]

Honor,

You don't have time.

Also, bowing down to an endo and jeopardising your presumably improved health just to acheive an "endo-approved" test result is fool hardy.

Come clean and tell him how well you feel.

[Honor123]

Hi radd it's just that she is soo lovely and prescripted me Armour and I have been self medicating with t3 don't want her to discharge me 😰😰😰

[LAHs]

I had that problem with my Endo. I told him the truth. He said that he appreciated that I was honest with him but he was not going to change his recommendation nor prescription but he couldn't stop me from doing what I felt was best for me. A sort of don't ask don't tell!

Conclusion: He is doing what he feels is right for him and my prescription runs out a little earlier than he chooses not to calculate. And I feel great, no complaints.