Issues with batch of Allergan Armour thyroid

[Ihave3kids]

Good morning,

I’ve recently opened a new batch of Allergen armour thyroid. Been on it for about 10 days. Last 3/4 days, have woken with puffy, heavy eyelids, swollen nose, tight hands and feet. Also more fatigue beginning to creep in.

I’ve had batch issues before with other brands (a few years ago) resulting in similar tell-tale signs and that’s how I ended up swapping to Forest Armour (now Allergan). Are others experiencing similar issues with recent batches?

Have been on this brand of armour for a couple of years now, without any of these issues. Very disappointing if yet another company, is having problems with potency consistency.

Thank you in advance for any replies.

M.

[Incoguto]

No issues at all for me, my results are also still consistent. Maybe it would be a good idea to do bloods if you haven't yet done so? Before you change meds I would definitely check bloods as levels fluctuate and you may need to change your dose.

[Ihave3kids in reply to Incoguto]

Thank you. I am not planning on changing brands because up until now, Armour has been great for me and I’m loathed to start another brand, even if it’s just one ‘off’ batch. I’m going to watch my symptoms closely over the next week or so and perhaps do a blood test after Christmas.

Many thanks for your reply.

[Alanna012]

I hate to say it, but I think I'm having the same issue. In my case it's very obvious, but I'm going to wait to get tested. I am NOT saying there is a potency issue with Armour overall in case people reading get worried, as there's the possibility of cortisol/adrenal issues in my case, and I've upped vitamins/minerals which could feasibly be interfering, but I do have comparison taking other NDTs, and am just posting my experience and will update in future.

Earlier this year I had a 30mcg bottle I self sourced. It is Allergen.

I found it very potent, I was overly hot, and in fact felt like I wasn't absorbing all the T3. That was trying a mere 1 and a half grains total a day. Pulse racing in day then dead at night. etc. Couldn't find a way to take it. Felt like I was dying of heat. Felt t3 strong.

Dropped it, went away and tried different brands NDT for several months. Managed to get good lab results on both but had really awful trouble sleeping.

Then found a private doctor. Private doctor said try Armour again, but break it up into smaller doses, start low and spread throughout day

So with advice from another thyroid forum, I broke 1 x 30mcg pill in half and spread throughout day (15mcg x 15mcg at first) then increased after a week to 15mcg x 3 times a day.

Just taking 15mcg at 4am in the morning I felt lovely and warm until about 11am when I would take the next dose.

When I attempted to go up from 1/2 grain by another quarter I felt nervous and shaky. I thought this was good and a sign I was reacting physiologically to the med and it was working. Pushed through and worked up to one grain and did not feel cold but warm, no swelling feelings in hands, face not puffy. Still had puffy eyes and muscles crampy. But one grain still not enough (and never would be regardless of brand) feeling more motivated and positive mentally.

Felt obliged to buy some more through private doctor via pharmacy in UK. He also told me to increase the dose by a half grain. So 1 and 1/2 daily. Prescribed new dosing regimen.

When the lovely new bottles arrived last week, I put the bottle I was already using to one side (I don't have a linear brain so it made sense to open a new one without finishing the old lol) and started taking the next morning.

Started with a whole half grain instead of a quarter, per doctors new requirements. I was anxious I would feel a bit hyper taking a whole grain in the morning instead of a quarter. But as it turns out I needn't have worried.

I immediately noticed there was no warm feeling a little tinsy bit, but nothing substantial. Didn't react to taking more all at once. Got out of bed in the morning feeling shivery. Couldn't wait to take next dose. Similar, felt slightly warm but overall cold still. Took evening dose and sleep was awful but felt my body wanting more. Resisted the urge and carried on.

After a few days I could feel throat pain when waking, so I doubled the morning dose to twice 30mcg and then took the last half in late afternoon. Taking a whole grain should have warmed me up but it didn't.

After a week and a half, I'm having brief episodes of internal dizziness, my face is puffy and round and my hands are cold and feel tight when bending my fingers. Feet hurt, I am absolutely freezing. I used the cold tap in the sink yesterday and the pain in my hands was ridiculous. This morning I woke up feeling no motivation. Looked at dirty dishes in the sink and no desire to clean and move them. These signs tell me I'm getting more hypo.

Now I would still be a bit hypo on this dose anyway as it wouldn't get me optimal. But I shouldn't be feeling worse than I was when I was taking less.

I have about 16 or so tablets left in the old bottle and I have been mentally avoiding the very obvious step of trying it at the same dose to compare, because if it's substantially different, it means I have wasted very hard to save money. Unfortunately both batches of the new bottles are the same lot, so if there was a problem the other bottle is likely to be exactly the same.

As I said, I suspect I do have adrenal issues (low cortisol in morning and evening) I also remember when I first tried Nature-thyroid years ago having similar issues and having to jump up to 3 grains almost immediately, then being ok to reduce it.

But that said, I tried Thyroid S, felt warm, had resolution of most of the physical issues, lost weight, same with Erfa. So I am hoping this is some fluke.

Ultimately I need labs, it's Xmas so no point posting any MMH kits. But when I do (if I can cope with this dose without trying to increase for much longer) I will post.

Actually I will try some of the old bottle and post.