Armour: Did anyone else experience stomach pain... - Thyroid UK

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PurrJones profile image
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Did anyone else experience stomach pain on starting Armour?

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PurrJones profile image
PurrJones
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Mouse profile image
Mouse

I didn't get stomach pain but I did get discomfort similar to indigestion but this went after a few days

PurrJones profile image
PurrJones

Mmm...yeah Mouse, it's like a bilious gassy type of pain....*ouch*

I was considering NOT taking it again, but maybe I should push past it....

Thanks for your feedback. :)

jjenjen profile image
jjenjen

Did you get Amour prescribed on the NHS??

PurrJones profile image
PurrJones

No, I'm in ROI....

A lot of people started to complain about new Armour formula ( the one made after 2009), the bulking agents can cause some intolerance problems eg cellulose. I was prescribed it and I bought one from pharmacy ( private prescription). it sits on my shelf now. I have found out that Armour ( new formula)may even contain some traces of gluten( that apparently is not true but still ???, people complain..). I searched the internet, and found a lot of complains on coeliacs forums. I am gluten intolerant and my stomach is generally very sensitive so I decided not to take it yet. I might try look for another type of NDT.

Yet again I want to emphasise that Forest pharmaceuticals who produces Armour claims that it is gluten free..

PurrJones profile image
PurrJones

Hey Edysia,

I hear ya...I've read that elsewhere today.

That might explain it...I haven't eaten gluten {except by accident} since 1997.

Though I know Forest will deny it. I might try the ERFA 'Thyroid'.

I'm really disappointed...I had high hopes for Armour. Saw a glimpse, in my mind, of a full life!!

Also, I heard some people talk about the softness of the pills and that Armour had possibly gone back to the old formula. I personally found it quite soft.

Hey PurrJones,

When I finally get the courage to start my thyroid meds I will ask for Erfa. From non medical ingredients it does contain only cornstarch, magnesium stearate, sugar and talc. It is also stated by manufacturer that it is: gluten, paraben, sulfite and tartrazine free. Should be better... I hope

E xx

PurrJones profile image
PurrJones in reply to

Aha! Aren't you taking anything then, E? I stopped Eltroxin...I'm not a depressed person, never have been, so when I started getting blue, I knew exactly what it was!

And this Armour has left me with stomach cramps and pains in my legs {I'm taking it it's is the fillers}

Um....I might just go for the Erfa...who knows? I might just get the life of my dreams again. ;) I will keep you updated.

xx

in reply to PurrJones

No, nothing at all, apart from supplements. I am still having a hope that my thyroid is out of whack due to me coming of the contraceptive pill in September last year.

Since I have stopped all my hormones went mad!

Sex hormones, especially oestrogens affect thyroid( excess Oestrogens do tend to increase production of thyroid hormone binding globulin - TBG, and if the TBG is increased then there is less free T4 and T3 left free and active.

I have excess amount of free oestrogen in my blood so.... ?? I never listen to doctors, I am always doing my own research... mhmmmm... I do not know if my hormones will regulate themselves or not but I am sort of giving up slowly as I am feeling worse; especially my head....impaired cognitive function, I am foggy, dizzy and spaced out :/ So I might give Erfa a go.

I do not think that I will try armour after hearing people's complain about stomach upset. I need to send it back to the pharmacy.

Oh I wish you a dream life dear PurrJones :), and I wish that so much for myself too :)!!!

Every night I am trying to think that when I wake up everything will be ok !

yes I am getting low and fed up a lot but deep down I am still waiting for the miracle to come :)

Keep me updated

Exxx

PurrJones profile image
PurrJones in reply to

Hey again...good afternoon...

Yes, that contraceptive pill has a lot to answer for apparently. I only took it once in my life...many, many years ago and it gave me severe migraines and leg pains.

I am a great believer in our bodies righting themselves...so I think your hormones DO have the capacity to balance out again. It's all about providing what they need & creating the best environment for them to do so.

Armour was a disappointment to me, ya know? I'm not going to take it today...yesterday was such a wash-out...and my heart feels a little odd today....but it's not to say it wouldn't work for you. We all seem to be so different. :)

Yes, let's wish all of us in here our healthy, post-thyroid condition lives back! Being positive does go a long way and miracles do happen all the time, to ordinary people just like us. ;)

Thanks for all your posts, E!

Will do.

PJ...xx

in reply to PurrJones

Do you think that Eltroxin make you blue? you must not convert T4 to T3 then. Or you might struggle with absorption of synthetic hormone.

I refused to take Levothyroxine too, after one tablet I had stomach pain. I do not think its a good drug, however from what I read it works for some people..

xx

in reply to

levothyroxine was killing me slowly especially after my dose was upped to 75mcg ibecame incontinent,stomach cramps,large bowel pains beyond belief, the day i stopped levo my incontinense stopped and after a few days my stomach and intestinal pain ceased, again try getting a doc to beleive me, regards brenda

PurrJones profile image
PurrJones in reply to

Oh dear Brenda,

You've really been through the ringer with it,

I hope you find something which suits you better.

Levo is not for you or I!!

x

in reply to PurrJones

hi purr thanks for your sympathy i am now taking eltroxin am doing much better, but still have along way to go, it was of course the fillers upsetting me regards brenda

PurrJones profile image
PurrJones in reply to

Yeah,

I don't really understand why they have to use sugar, dextrose, cellulose, magnesium stearate, when other fillers can do the job.

PurrJones profile image
PurrJones

Edysia,

I KNOW the Eltroxin made me feel down...It happened the last time I was on it also.

I can't handle it at all..and would honestly rather be without thyroid than be on synthetic. It gets me through a Hashi's attack alright, but then when I'm coming out of it, it makes me sooo blue. I think you're correct, in that my body isn't converting...but try telling the G.P that :D I'm sure you know the score! ;)

xx

Clarebear profile image
Clarebear

I wouldn't give up on Armour too quickly - it has taken me a long time (a year) but I am feeling so much better now on Armour. I did have terrible troubles to start with though - mainly anxiety, feeling spaced out and vertigo. It took a long while to get used to it and each increase was awful but worth it in the long run :) xx

PurrJones profile image
PurrJones in reply to Clarebear

Hey Clare!

Thanks for your comment and the good dose of hope I received, by reading your Armour diaries. I really, really don't want to give up on Armour. Late into yesterday evening, I tried the tiniest bit...really just the powder, because I figured perhaps I started too high with quarter of a grain. {My body is extremely sensitive}. It did give me the beginnings of an achey tummy thing again and also a more rapid heartbeat.

I will try the same this evening and see what that brings. Perhaps if I go slower than slow, it might just work.

Failing that, I'll try Erfa Thyroid. :)

Sounds like a plan, eh?? Hahah!

xx

Gema_b profile image
Gema_b

Hi I know this thread is old, but just wondering how you are now? Are you still on armour? I've been on it for just over a year and am killed with stomach pains and digestive problems :( I'd love to know if its the armour causing it!

danym profile image
danym in reply to Gema_b

have you found something else more gentle on the stomach?

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