Armour Thyroid

[Rval]

Hi folks

I have had an underactive thyroid over 30 years and always taken thyroxine ,I was fortunate over 6 months ago as my gp said I could have Armour ,i started

1 and 1/2 grain and about 6 weeks ago i started on 2 grain ,i feel its not enough and i cant even lose a pound in weight ,i really do everything i can to lose weight

My reading have always been 0.3

Today its 1 6 i think

Any advice please

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Rval

My reading have always been 0.3

Today its 1 6 i think

Unfortunately, those results don't mean anything. What test are you talking about? What is the reference range so we can interpret the result? If you don't have this information, as at your surgery's reception desk for a print out of your results.

For a full picture you need

TSH

FT4

FT3

and as you take Armour then it's the FT3 that is the most important test as it will tell you if you are under or over medicated. If your GP is prescribing Armour then he ought to know that these are the tests that are needed and that FT3 is essential.

Also, what are your current nutrient levels, these need to be optimal for any thyroid hormone to work properly.

[Rval in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi

Thanks for answering that blood test was tsh the lab refuse to do t3 because they think 1.6 is in range

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Rval]

OK, but what about the rest of my comments?

Does your GP/endo prescribe Armour? If so then you should ask about the other tests and the doctor should ensure the blood form states that you take Armour therefore it's essential to test T3. It's up to your doctor to get that sorted as he should know that TSH alone is of no use when on thyroid replacement and absolutely necessary when on Armour. Or if necessary you can do private tests.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

when taking Armour make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

essention on Armour to test TSH, FT3 and FT4

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges

[Rval in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you slow dragon x

[janveron1]

I transferred to Armour about three years ago. For the last year I have stabilised on 3 grains taken between 1am and 3am ( I wake briefly and go back to sleep.)

This level seems right for me at present. ( Now 80!)

Jan