Armour experience anyone?

[magsyh]

I have been taking Armour for just 2 weeks now and this has been a whole new experience. I struggled for 3 years on different doses and manufacturers of levothyroxine. The palpatations were the worst so my private doc suggested Armour because synthetic T3 also had the same effect.

Thing is it's weird for me I'm on 1 grain split over twice a day and I feel no effects what so ever. Is this normal. I'm just wondering as there is 9mg of T3 in it. Before I couldn't tolerate any T3. I will up it by another 1/2 grain tomorrow and see how it goes. My worst symptoms are fluid retention and weight gain. It started when I started the levo now I'm hoping Armour will change that, does it? I'm also concerned about how much Armour I will need because the price is shocking. One chemist tried to charge me £403 for 3 months supply. Any other Armour users out there with words of wisdom please. Xx

[shaws Administrator]

Armour is one of the original thyroid hormone replacements and contains all of the hormones a healthy gland would do. You have to give it a chance and hopefully you will be given small additions to your dose until TSH is around 1 or lower.

I am not medically qualified but I've never split my doses of whatever I've been taking.

Considering that NDTs (Armour an other Natural Dessicated Thyroid Hormones) were the very original replacement for those with hypothyroidism from 1892 onwards and is still popular today.

Unfortunately, for some unknown reason to me, it was withdrawn from being prescribed in the UK. I don't think the modern endocrinologists seem to not be as knowledgeable as our 'old fashioned doctors' long before blood tests were introduced. They could diagnose us upon our clinical symptoms alone.

The purpose of one dose is to saturate all of our thyroid glands and they then send out 'waves' throughout the day.

I will also state I'm not medically qualified but had to diagnose myself one hour after GP told me that I had nothing wrong and all results were fine. The problem was that he didn't understand what a TSH of 100 indicated.

[Sweetpeaflower]

Hi,

I struggled for a long time, just like you, with different brands of Levothyroxine. Got palpitations, high pulse and severe iron deficiency anemia.

Once I had iron infusions and ferritin levels improved, I tolerated proper dosing of Levo but the CNS-symtoms never improved. I gained more weight and my brain felt "frozen", I couldn't feel happiness or think :-(.

I am now on Armour and a small dose of Levo since my T4 has been low. Felt like you in the beginning. I still struggle a lot to find the correct balance and dose.

It seems I tolerate Armour much, much better, I don't know why. Perhaps because it is bound to proteins in a different way, or perhaps because it contains all the hormones a healthy gland would produce.

Just had to reduce my Levo, I really feel horrible on it. Awful pressure in the head, I get pale and can't think at all.

I think it does take some time to find the correct dose Armour, but some tolerate it much better and get their health back. I really hope you will feel better soon.

(Right now I live in Sweden, and I can get Armour on prescription here. It is very expensive, but thankfully the cost for this drug is reduced by the government -- if the doctor writes a short message to the pharmacy/authorities on why you need it.)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ring or email these pharmacies for best price on Armour

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...

[radd]

magsyh,

I find Armour quite T3 potent so would say raise slowly if you had previous issues with T3, (although if you have Hashi this may not be easy).

Levothyroxine & T3 are both not always easily tolerated when iron levels are low. Have you had iron tested? Another reason for intolerence is high cortisol, whose symptoms crossover with many others but typically identify with tired but wired, jittery, poor sleep.

I ended up adding a little Levo to my Armour dose to balance the ratio of T4-T3 that matched my needs. I also split dose to prevent T3 peaks & troughs which my adrenals don't like.

I self-medicate and have enough for about a year but if prices don’t drop shall consider a private prescription, which takes the worry out of sourcing it as costs are now looking similar.

You can take daily temp & pulse to give you confidence you aren't raising too quick. Good luck, I hope it makes you feel better 😊

[grumpyold]

I struggled for about 10 years on levothyroxine alone, before I self sourced and self funded Armour. Within 5 months, I had lost the 3 stone I had gained. I gradually increased my dose to 3 grains which seemed to be my sweet spot, taking it as one dose first thing, an hour before eating or drinking anything but water.I would advise, give yourself time to work up to an adequate dose. and follow SlowDragon's advice re which pharmacies can provide the cheapest options, to get yours from.

Everyone is different, but Armour set me on the road to recovery.

Good luck.

[Montheone]

I have been in armour since September 2.5 grains and feel much better on it than different brands of Levo / sadly it has not affected my weight tho I am thinking of taking additional T3 to help Yes Armour is expensive -currently getting it through a private prescription from a private endo on Leamington spa but may source other outlets as above

[Chett]

I used to take Armour years ago, and did great until they changed the formula. I then switched to NatureThroid, and felt great. Then it was pulled off the market, and after struggling with NP Thyroid, am back on Armour. I just increased my dose because of muscle pain, but other than that, feel pretty good. The good thing is that because my husband was military, we go through Tricare for meds, so Armour is $20 for 3 months.

[susanmhall62]

I'm currently on three grains of Armour Thyroid which I split taking half in the morning and half at bedtime. I switched to Armour Thyroid after the recent NP Thyroid recall. I am able to exercise i.e. running & walking between 3-4 miles a day. My weight is stable & my labs are close to optimal at:

TSH <0.005 (0.450-4.500)

FT4 1.42 (0.82-1.77)

FT3 4.1 (2.0-4.4)

I supplement with Thorne B12, D & Iron Bis-glycinate, as well as, Pure Encapsulations Magnesium.

I'm currently doing acupuncture & acupressure, as well as, Chinese herbs to improve my lymphatic system.

I feel reasonably healthy.