Re: Question about starting Armour Thyroid

[Guest guest]

The only question in your post that I am able to answer is with respect to the lack of efficacy associated with sublingual dosing: http://thyroid.about.com/b/2011/05/03/sublingual-thyroid-medication-pill.htm There is evidence that the synthetic forms may be absorbed through some mucous membranes (there are studies in rabbits demonstrating vaginal absorption, although I’ve been told by a chemist that this does not mean it can be absorbed sublingually), but because of the protein binding in natural thyroid, there’s simply no way for it to pass through the membrane. From: Texas_Thyroid_Groups [mailto:Texas_Thyroid_Groups ] On Behalf Of lemurSent: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 21:23 PMTo: Texas_Thyroid_Groups Subject: Question about starting Armour Thyroid Hello,My story is long so I won't bore with details. Thanks to this group I found a good Dr. who switched me to Armour after being on Synthroid and recently having problems on it. I was on .88 mcg synthroid, now 1 grain Armour. For one thing I am kind of afraid of the titration process (I really got sick to my stomach for a long period when my synthroid dose was too low). Does everyone seem to need more Armour then initially on? Do you get really hypo feeling when dosage needs adjusting?Also it seems a lot of people either take it sublingily or crush it up, does anyone not do this and do fine on it.I am supposed to take it just one dose in the morning before breakfast like Synthroid but it seems like a lot of people split doses so should I split the dose?Thanks!

[Guest guest]

I would suggest dividing your dose until you see how you react to the T3. I still split my dose after ten years. Some folks find it more convenient to take it all at once.

I am not convinced of the value of taking it sublingually. If you have poor digestion, you might want to chew it.

Your starting dose is not likely to be your final dose. You will still have a goodly amount of T4 in your system from the $ynthroid. 60 mg of Armour has 9 mcg of T3 and 38 mcg of T4. Anywhere from two to eight weeks out, you may start feeling undermedicated as the T4 leaves your system. If that happens, I would ask the doc for a 30 mg increase. Make an appointment. Most docs will not give increases by phone.

There is no one right answer for any of your questions. What you may need is highly individual.

Who is the doc that switched you to Armour?

>> Hello,> > My story is long so I won't bore with details. Thanks to this group I found a good Dr. who switched me to Armour after being on Synthroid and recently having problems on it. > > I was on .88 mcg synthroid, now 1 grain Armour. For one thing I am kind of afraid of the titration process (I really got sick to my stomach for a long period when my synthroid dose was too low). Does everyone seem to need more Armour then initially on? Do you get really hypo feeling when dosage needs adjusting?> > Also it seems a lot of people either take it sublingily or crush it up, does anyone not do this and do fine on it.> > I am supposed to take it just one dose in the morning before breakfast like Synthroid but it seems like a lot of people split doses so should I split the dose?> > Thanks!>

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much for your reply!

Dr. G in is who I saw. I really liked her!

> >

> > Hello,

> >

> > My story is long so I won't bore with details. Thanks to this group I

> found a good Dr. who switched me to Armour after being on Synthroid and

> recently having problems on it.

> >

> > I was on .88 mcg synthroid, now 1 grain Armour. For one thing I am

> kind of afraid of the titration process (I really got sick to my stomach

> for a long period when my synthroid dose was too low). Does everyone

> seem to need more Armour then initially on? Do you get really hypo

> feeling when dosage needs adjusting?

> >

> > Also it seems a lot of people either take it sublingily or crush it

> up, does anyone not do this and do fine on it.

> >

> > I am supposed to take it just one dose in the morning before breakfast

> like Synthroid but it seems like a lot of people split doses so should I

> split the dose?

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I've been seeing Dr G for a year and a half now.. I really like her also.

Make sure to ask for your labs when they call you each time you visit..

I write down all my labs and then I can tell her where I feel good/better/best..

and she tries to keep me around those numbers..

[Guest guest]

I would not settle for hearing the nurse read the numbers to me over the phone. Ask for a copy of the actual lab report.

What I do is have the blood draw about two weeks ahead of time, so I can get my copy when I see the doc. We don't do anything by phone.

>> I've been seeing Dr G for a year and a half now.. I really like her also.> > Make sure to ask for your labs when they call you each time you visit.. > > I write down all my labs and then I can tell her where I feel good/better/best.. and she tries to keep me around those numbers..>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the advice, I will! She was a breath of fresh air after having

anther PCP and Endo only look at TSH, I felt really sick for a while (felt sick

after eating, loosing weight and not having much appetite) and I knew in my gut

that it was my thyroid but they said " your labs look good, it is not your

thyroid " I was fortunate to have a receptive OB who upped my dose of synthroid

(so I felt 80% better) but he is the one who passed me off to a PCP in the first

place to handle my thyroid issues so I felt I needed a reliable doctor who would

treat me, not my numbers, so far Dr. G really seems like she will be that Dr. so

I am very thankful!

>

> I've been seeing Dr G for a year and a half now.. I really like her also.

>

> Make sure to ask for your labs when they call you each time you visit..

>

> I write down all my labs and then I can tell her where I feel

good/better/best.. and she tries to keep me around those numbers..

>

[Guest guest]

Here is a question for you though, so I initially did a walk in appointment,

talked to her PA, they drew blood then met with the Dr. a week later. I have an

appointment 5 weeks from now for a follow up to see if my dose need adjusting,

do I just talk to her then and they draw blood at that time or should I can to

see if I should have my blood drawn prior to the appt. to so she can look at the

results then as well?

>

> I've been seeing Dr G for a year and a half now.. I really like her also.

>

> Make sure to ask for your labs when they call you each time you visit..

>

> I write down all my labs and then I can tell her where I feel

good/better/best.. and she tries to keep me around those numbers..

>

[Guest guest]

I strongly recommend that you get your blood drawn a week ahead of your appointment, so you can discuss the results at your appointment and not have to play phone tag with the nurse to get the results. Do make sure you have been on a stable dose for at least six weeks at the time of the blood draw.

> >> > I've been seeing Dr G for a year and a half now.. I really like her also.> > > > Make sure to ask for your labs when they call you each time you visit.. > > > > I write down all my labs and then I can tell her where I feel good/better/best.. and she tries to keep me around those numbers..> >>

[Guest guest]

I strongly recommend that you get your blood drawn a week ahead of your appointment, so you can discuss the results at your appointment and not have to play phone tag with the nurse to get the results. Do make sure you have been on a stable dose for at least six weeks at the time of the blood draw.

In addition to this, do not take your thyroid before the blood draw in the morning.  Take it afterwards.Susie