Has anybody noticed a change to Armour at all this year?Just wanting to rule out different possibilities to why I feel worse than usual.

[Gillybean1]

I have had alot of additional tough stressors this year ,but my FT4 and FT3 have dropped despite a gradual dose increase. I am going through the list of possibilities suggested on this forum, but thought I also should ask the question has Armour changed this year, ie perhaps a filler? I understand 'starch' although referenced in the past as corn starch, can be changed to gluten and still be referenced 'starch'. There is no requirement to state Gluten Free.

I am also looking into adrenal issues, B12 high, D mid range, Iron mid range. Checking Calcium ,Mg and all electrolytes.

I have very low diastolic and wondered if the combination of long term stress, constant fatigue (vicious circle) creating inactivity, zaps my adrenals etc and round and round it goes + the T3 part of NDT may be too much in this state.........aaahh .end of tether.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated, every best wish, G.

[ChesilPebble]

I was concerned about a possible Armour ingredient change too. I was feeling cold and tired.

My doctor though has recently explained a link between Thyroid and oestrogen levels. My Oestradiol level had climbed too high on a recent hrt change and my thyroid meds couldn’t keep up.

We’ve lowered my hrt dose and will see what happens. My vits and minerals were all perfect so it sounds reasonable.

I hope you find some explanation and relief soon.

[Gillybean1 in reply to ChesilPebble]

Hi ChesilPebble,

Thank you for your reply and apologies for my late response, feeling lousy. Interesting your Oestrogens have risen. Mine were up for my age (menopaused) and I put a post up recently asking whether NDT effects these levels, some said possibly yes. And I would guess that true thinking about thyroid hormone relationship with our others hormones.

Good luck too, and thank you, every best wish, G.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

The only starch ingredient in Armour Thyroid is Sodium starch glycolate.

The inactive ingredients are calcium stearate, dextrose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate and opadry white.

rxabbvie.com/pdf/armour_thy...

I think it very unlikely it would contain gluten. (Even wheatflour used as a pharmaceutical excipient can be regarded as gluten-free - though many don't want to take any possible risk.)

Q: Can you tell me what the ingredient sodium starch glycolate is and whether it is safe for people with celiac disease?

A: Sodium starch glycolate (SSG) helps medications dissolve upon exposure to water by swelling, which helps break the tablet or capsule apart. There are basically three types of SSG: Type A, Type B and Type C, with Type A the one most commonly used in medications. SSG Type A is primarily manufactured using potato starch, with a small percentage coming from a corn source. Theoretically SSG can be made from any starchy source, however, I have not found a manufacturer who uses a starch other than potato or corn to make SSG. Several manufacturers produce SSG. Three of the most popular brands, Vivastar®, Explotab® and Primojel®, use potato starch. Sodium starch glycolate is considered generally safe for people with celiac disease although it may cause an issue in those who experience symptoms when exposed to corn-derived products. Still, it is wise to call the drug manufacturer to find out what type of SSG they use.

glutenfreeliving.com/blog/g...

If you want to dive in further, have a look here:

precision.fda.gov/uniisearc...

(H8AV0SQX4D is specified as the unique ingredient identifier here: dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailym... )

[Gillybean1 in reply to helvella]

Thank you Helvella for taking the time to reply and for all the link info too... every best wish , G