OVERWHELMED

[Silvers]

Hi, please can some one advise if there has been changed to Armour. I had been doing well on three grains since Jan 2015 but now I can't seem to keep thyroid under control. I had upped to 4 grains on 01/10 and last Bloods on 13/11 Free T3 4.3 pmol/L (4.0 - 7.0), Free T4 16 pmol/L (10 - 25) and TSH <0.02 mU/L (0.55 - 4.78). I upped to 5 grains on 20/11. I am feeling absolutely shattered and very down and I ache. Would it be worth adding in some Levo? My VIt B12 is 776 (on B12 injections) and on Vit D Protocol (last test was 191 nMol/l. Ferritin 212. I have autoimmune liver disease but my blood results are best they have been. Just been diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis. TIA xxx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Plantar fasciitis is often due to low FT3, which your results also show you have

[Silvers in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I am thinking that my leg / feet pain and stiffness is due to low Free T3. x

[greygoose]

You should not be increasing by a whole grain at a time. Increases should only be 1/4 grain every two weeks. You've probably shocked your system.

[Silvers in reply to greygoose]

I increased by 1/2 grain so now on 5. I have a feeling that HRT has caused issues with Armour. It was a month after starting Armour that the exhaustion started creeping in. x

[MaisieGray in reply to Silvers]

You may be correct. On its website, the British Thyroid Foundation writes: " women with pre-existing hypothyroidism treated with thyroxine, may require an increase in their thyroxine dose after starting HRT. Therefore it is useful for thyroid function tests to be re-checked after starting HRT..................... Thyroid disorders may cause similar symptoms to the menopause. HRT and phytoestrogen supplements don’t seem to affect normal thyroid function, but may reduce the absorption of thyroxine medication in those with hypothyroidism."

[Silvers in reply to MaisieGray]

I just read exactly the same MaisieGray. I did know this could happen as I am on a Menopause Forum and GP on the forum said this too. I have decided to stop HRT and go back to 3 grains of Armour as I feel so crappy. Plus my periods have started after 17 months of no periods so had tests with GP and being referred to Gynae and getting a tummy ultrasound. x