What's your expieriences with Erfa ? Anybody feels well?

[Hidden]

I felt better on ERFA but couldnt get it anymore without a script and had to change to armour, still ok but it upsets my stomach a bit, I'd swap back in a heartbeat if I could get it.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank You Fedupsusie xxx

[Jackie]

Hi, We are all different! I find Armour is better for me. I guess because there is slightly more T3 in Armour than in Erfa,

Jackie

[Hidden in reply to Jackie]

Yes there is a slight difference in the amount of both (Erfa have 35mcg of T4 and 8mcg of T3, if I remember correctly). I just had very weird reaction to Armour and I might just be allergic to some components or something just disagree with me. I am not sure.. I took 1/4 grain on Saturday and I felt really dizzy and spaced out but 6 hours later my face started to get numb and then tingling on the right side. I absolutely have no idea what happened but it was very unpleasant and worrying symptom.

Thank you for your reply Jackie.

Exx

[Clarebear in reply to Hidden]

Tingling in my head is one of my hypo symptoms and I find these always worsen when I start a new medication eg Armour or increase the dose. Personally I think you need to stick at it and see how you get on. Often these symptoms will settle in a couple of weeks xx

[Hidden in reply to Clarebear]

It all have very neurological feel to it( I mean the symptoms: numbness, tingling) I don't have them on regular basis, just dizziness. But numbness and tingling appeared only after I took armour.

I still did not receive answers in regards to what to do ( I sent an email to a dr who prescribed it, but nothing so far)

xx

[Clarebear in reply to Hidden]

When I first went to see my doctor 2 years ago, all of my symptoms were neurological and I was convinced that it was MS or a brain tumour. I hadn't even considered thyroid at all. From memory my symptoms were:

Anxiety, panic attacks, tingling hands, feet and top of head, headaches, dead arms in the night, vertigo and dizziness, feeling like I was having cold water dripped on the back of my head, feeling faint, carpal tunnel syndrome, agrophobia, brain fog,memory problems.

When I went to the doctor, he did some blood tests which showed elevated TSH at 15.0 but normal (although low normal) FT4 and subsequently FT3. As a result I was told it wasn't my thyroid after all, and that it was health anxiety

Thanks to this site, I realised that this wasn't right, and kept researching. When my TSH finally got to 59.0 and FT3 and FT4 were well below range, they finally agreed and I was diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism. I know for a fact that you can feel severely hypothyroid when FT3 and FT4 are still in the "normal range" - normal for some, but not for me and many others I fear.

Anyway Edysia, sorry to go on so much, but I have sent you a PM too.

Clare xxx

[Hidden]

I agree, its what is best for each of us as individuals.

Armour has more T3 per grain but ERFA has a higher T4:T3 ratio, you really cant say one is better than the other, although one is very probably better than the other to a specific person, as are all other thyroid treatments.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I am afraid I have to try out all the options on myself. I do not like it, especially after getting numb feeling of my face after armour but I am very sensitive to all medications so I do not really know what to think ...

Thanks for reply Susie xx

[Hypopotamus]

I also do better on ERFA.

[Hidden in reply to Hypopotamus]

Thank you Hypopotamus xx

[shaws Administrator]

Whatever medication we are on it takes time to build up to a dose which suits that particular person. It is not quick and has to be done very gradually.

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Thank you for your reply Pat. I know that it is all a very slow process but what is worrying me the most are very weird symptoms that I had after taking 1/4 of armour. I am stuck again. xx

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hidden]

I wonder, it is not a suggestion, if you are low on some vitamins/minerals which help with the conversion.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

I am sorry you found your initial dose of Armour of no benefit.

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Thank you Pat , I do take all vitamins and supplements, I am not deficient any more. I still could be upper in the ranges but it will take some time to get there. I struggle with Iron, due to stomach problems, I need something very gentle, maybe spatone.

Exx

[Clarebear]

I am doing well on Armour but do wonder if the slightly higher T4 ratio in Erfa would suit me better... but I don't want to rock the boat as I am lucky enough to get Armour on NHS prescription. xx

[Hidden in reply to Clarebear]

If you are doing ok on Armour maybe you should keep going. It will be a long process of switching I guess if you decided to do so. Some people (I am reading lots of internet reviews on all NDT's) do not have problems with switching at all and some do. Hard to choose.

Thank you for your reply Clare.

xx

[Jackie in reply to Hidden]

Yes, this is so right. it needs to be so gradual.I took it when Armour had a production problem. I did notice a difference in my thyroid but not how I felt. Strange really as I am very limited with all drugs and cannot take thyroxine. I tried 4 different makes, originally and I had a very dangerous reaction.All my good consultants say to start any new drug, very, very, slowly, unless antibiotic,cardiac etc. I have found this helps as I have serious pancretitis. You can but try ,it is very individual.

Jackie