Felt great on Armour then switched to NP Thyroid and now feel horrible

[BondGold]

I was previously on Synthroid but after a few years, it was doing nothing for me and recently switched to Armour (60 mg) and was feeling better and better everyday. I found out that my Vitamin D and ferritin levels are low (while other iron levels were just not optimal) so I've been taking iron supplements and eating iron rich foods along with taking Vitamin D.

So this is where I messed up and I'm still upset at myself over it. I was reading on here and Stop the Thyroid Madness that NP Thyroid was better so I asked my doctor that I wanted to try it. Took 30 mg in the morning and then after the second 30 mg dose in the afternoon my body just tanked. I was instantly severely fatigued, had heart palpitations and shortness of breath. This was a few days ago and I haven't touched NP thyroid since but I still haven't recovered and just feel so off.

I switched back to Armour but it's no longer having the positive effects it used to and now I'm reacting similarly to it (extreme fatigue like I've never experienced, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath). According to #2 on this page I'm guessing my mistake was jumping to NP thyroid, a more effective NDT, when my ferritin was still so low. But now, I have no clue what to do now.

Yesterday supplementing with iron gave me energy, today it made me feel worse. I used to have hunger pangs when I took Vitamin D while using Synthroid but that considerably lessened when I started Armour but now the effect is back again I'm scared to take my thyroid medication now. I only took 30 mg of Armour today just to be on the safe side and still had a negative reaction when it was helping me so much just a few days ago. I've never felt this terrible even on Synthroid.

I plan to visit my doctor but I'm wondering if you've heard of a situation like this before and what I could possibly do to alleviate this reaction. I'm thinking of stopping or just staying on a low dose and focusing on bringing up my iron and Vitamin D. I'm just lost and I'm quite devastated by this because I was finally feeling better. Thanks in advance for any help.

[ewilma26]

Isn’t np thyroid and armor the same thing?

[Hidden in reply to ewilma26]

The active ingredient (thyroid hormone from pigs) is the same, but they contain different fillers and binders. Armour contains cellulose, said to decrease absorption of thyroid hormone. Therefore, NDT brands without cellulose, such as NP or WP Thyroid, are often recommended.

[Clarrisa]

Hi BondGold, I recently discontinued Synthroid too & have had a bumpy experience also. I was on Synthroid for 10 years but was offered Tirosint to see if it would absorb better. I had told a Endocrinologist I was having many (low thyroid) symptoms on Synthroid & she stated "You don't know how many people have been telling me that." I started & continue to take Tirosint at the same dose as Synthroid. I too experienced extreme fatigue like I've never experienced before, I was more aware of my heartbeat while reclining at night & have felt somewhat winded off & on. Additionally when I had a hearty stew at my sister's it made me feel worse the next day.

I've been on Tirosint since mid Dec 2007 & still feel energy challenged but it waxes & wanes. I've scheduled a second opinion & will post my findings when they are available. I am wondering now if this is a sequel of going off long term use of Synthroid.

[Katelou]

Strange I've been on Armour for years and suddenly my T3 level has dipped by half and I'm feeling weak etc. My Endo has given me T3 to supplement with the Armour 2.25grains, so I now take the Armour plus 10mg of T3 znd z further 10mg of T3 before lunch, just started this extra lunchtime dose. No improvement so far.

I'm wondering if I need more Armour rather than T3, it's a minefield to know what to do.