Reposting. If Armour is more potent than Nature... - Thyroid UK

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Reposting. If Armour is more potent than Nature Throid,how do i switch back to Armour safely please?

Gillybean1 profile image
18 Replies

I was originally on Armour for 2years, switched to Nature Throid 2017 due to cost, and was ok on it until last Dec batch and like alot of others have mentioned,its different, i cannot put how ive come to feel down to a virus back in Nov anymore.

I currently split my doses NDT 1 1/4 grain AM , 1/2 grain PM of the Nature Throid, and hoped to feel better than this as i am due to start adding T3 (finally arrived) and reducing NDT to 1 grain. I just wanted to switch back to Armour smoothly first without a 'thyroid storm' if Armour is more potent, to feel better than i currently do on this last batch of meds.

Is it just trial and error or has anyone else done this successfully? Hope someone can advise please?

Every best wish G

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Gillybean1
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18 Replies
shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

I don't think Armour is 'more potent' as I believe all NDTs - usually measured in grains should have the same effect, except of course if there is something within the pill that doesn't agree with you (i.e. fillers/binders).

You should be able to switch between different NDTs around the same dose.

Gillybean1 profile image
Gillybean1 in reply to shaws

Hello Shaws,

Thank you for your reply. Yes it could be the fillers i gather 2 have been added to the mix in recent batches end of last year according to STTM. I also read on this forum that Synthetic T4 was added to eek out the porcine (greed or cost, who knows...) i dont know whether this is all NDT or just Nature Throid and that meant it could be called....no its gone cant remember the word, but essentially removing the word 'natural' meant it didnt have to only be so. I think Diogenes discussed this matter.

I just wondered if i was reacting /feeling less well ,was due to Synthetic T4 being added (i now test DIO2 pos) because Synthetic T4 'may' be more of a problem for me than the T4 in NDT?

I will just have to suck it and see, but my its so so expensive Armour.....

Every best wish G

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to Gillybean1

There are other NDTs and quite a number of patients source it themselves. There's ThyroidS and Thiroid. If members have information they can send you a private message.

Gillybean1 profile image
Gillybean1 in reply to shaws

Many thanks Shaw's, i will look into that, G

Rapunzel profile image
Rapunzel

My understanding is that Armour is now rip off Central; very expensive. I have transitioned from nature throid to thyroid s grain for grain without detriment. Maybe something to keep in your pocket and save some money for the inevitable supplements and blood tests which we must also pay for ourselves...

Gillybean1 profile image
Gillybean1 in reply to Rapunzel

Hi Rapunzel,

Thanks for your reply, yep rip off central it is.......just desperate to feel better than this, i just seem to go 2feet forward and 3 back, im sure you know what i mean?

Whats Thyroid S please? GF?

Your right, i would rather spread the cost of everything required when you are forced to go it alone.

Every best wish G.

wellness1 profile image
wellness1

Hi, Gillybean, my FT3 level plummeted on the reformulated Nature-throid. When I switched to another brand, I made a straight swap and ended up a bit overmedicated as a result. Have you tested thyroid hormone levels recently? That could provide a clue. Since you are going to add T3 to the mix, you could consider a reduction when you make the switch and see how you get on. I hope you feel better.

Gillybean1 profile image
Gillybean1 in reply to wellness1

Hello Wellness1,

Aah thats very kind of you to say, thank you. Yes im a bit baffled new batch of Nature Throid in Dec, immediately seemed different, bloods showed a slight drop back in FT4/FT3 in Feb, i upped meds 1/4 grain, retest 6wks later and they have dropped back even further, i can only think that this was because in Dec i was using 1grain out of new pot, and 1/4 grain out of older batch, i ran that out and now both pots are 'the new batch' since Feb, if that makes sense.

It makes me cross really, its hard enough being 'the juggler' with our B12,D,Folates,Iron,Cortisol bla bla bla, and then boom reformulated meds just to liven it all up........

Yes i will be dropping back the NDT to add T3, just wanted to start from a better place.

What did you switch to succesfully please?

Every best wish, G

wellness1 profile image
wellness1 in reply to Gillybean1

It's a work in progress. :) Trial and error finding brand and dose. Many of us share your frustration over the reformulation and the need to juggle. Good luck.

Gillybean1 profile image
Gillybean1 in reply to wellness1

You too, and many thanks for taking the time, G

Howard39 profile image
Howard39

Hi

I am on ndt after my t3 was stopped by my gp after 17 years.

In theory yes you should just be able to make a transition from one ndt to another ndt or to say metavive.

Personally I never found nature throid v strong in comparison to other ndts. No one person is the same so it can be trial and error finding one that suits you.

I always though measure my temps x 4 a day. If you increase your dose or add things in( say t 3) I was always taught to take 8 readings per day for 4 days. You need to aim for circa 36.50 degrees with a basal thermometer and any variance of more than 0.3 degrees from the average means that your adrenals are struggling.

The following link is v helpful.

Www.drmyhill. co.uk and on the home page in the top right hand corner type in orchestra.

It explains everything you need to know about achieving good health and monitoring your temps. The article was written by a top endo and specialist and it saved me a fortune in blood tests.

It explains what is the most important areas to get right.

Diet

Vitamins

Absorbtion

Then thyroid meds and adrenals.

Having sorted out all the above I made a reasonably easy transition onto ndt and take far less meds now than I did when I was on t3 and T4. Initially my t3 was nil. So I had a long way to go.

I wish you luck and if you need any specific help please do ask.

Gillybean1 profile image
Gillybean1

Hi Howard 39,

Thank you for taking the time to reply, and glad to hear you transitioned positively and are well.It means i have a chance.Which NDT do you use?

I guess i will just have to suck it and see re switching med brands. My adrenals/temps are all over the place, this perpetual circle of gut pain (lack of T3) keeping me up most nights wrecks body temp/ adrenals, effects meds absorbtion and so on. I temp test 3-4 times a day ,im always 36.4 on rising, and rise to 36.8 - 37 during the day provided i can eat that day. This is not great, but better than 3years ago, so i take your point its very important as enzymes cant switch on efficiently if body temp drops below 37.

I have the diet in order......when i can eat, i have the supplements in order........when i can absorb, i have the absorbtion getting better (Dr Myhill VEGF test) gone from borderline achlorhydria to just in range stomach acid over 1 year, just need the Thyroid meds to be compatable now i know i am DIO2 pos, with Hashi's.......i think only then will my adrenals get better too.....i seem to be working the other way round to most people on here.Most mention fixing adrenals first...but i cant if im up at night with gut pain because of lack of thyroid meds getting through.

I like Dr Myhill site, i need a refresh for my memory on the adrenal section ,so thank you for that too.

Every best wish, G

sfletch43 profile image
sfletch43

Armour, desicated pork thyroid is predominately T3....Pork thyroid has higher percentage of t3 than humans. Just a slight amount of T4 in the product. So I am confused why you are adding more T3...why not just increase your dose of Armour?

Gillybean1 profile image
Gillybean1 in reply to sfletch43

Hi sfletch43,

Thank you for your reply. Im adding T3 as i am DIO2 positive, so Endo agreed that i should reduce NDT down to 1 grain (convertion prob with T4 part) leaving some as ive Hashi's, but topping up with seperate T3 to hopefully improve symptoms.

Every best wish G.

Gillybean1 profile image
Gillybean1 in reply to sfletch43

Hi sfletch43,

My Armour states in its 1 grain each tablet contains 38mcg T4 , and 9mcg T3, so 'if' i could convert the T4 properly would have given me a reasonable amount of T3 in that conversion, but i cant. Thats why adding extra T3 has been recommended as a trial,

regards G.

sfletch43 profile image
sfletch43 in reply to Gillybean1

This page has graphs with all the types of thyroid meds and conversion charts.

google.com/search?q=armour+...

Gillybean1 profile image
Gillybean1 in reply to sfletch43

Thank you sfletch43, thats kind of you,

Every best wish ,G

sfletch43 profile image
sfletch43

NP thyroid and Armour thyroid are both made from Porcine and have the same ratios. The only difference is the binder. I have taken both and prefer NP because I melts it in my mouth..sublingual and Armour has different binder that makes it hard and it doesn't melt.

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