Re: Re: levoxyl/cytomel to ARMOUR

[Guest guest]

Judy, thanks for your time on this...it’s still confusing though

Since Armour is indeed t3 AND t4 they are giving the switch over — aren’t they? And if the armour site itself says 1 grain = 100 mcg of levoxyl, how can your char of only 74 be correct?

Help!!!!

Thanks!

sue

Ok, gotcha, I see what you're doing. It's not an " AND " , it's an " OR " .

Each thing is separate, so they're saying that 1 grain of Armour is approximately equivalent to 25mcg of Cytomel OR 100mcg Levothyroxine. Cytomel is T3 and therefore we need the 4X factor which would make it 25*4=100 approx T4 equivalent. The Levo is straight T4 and so it stays at 100.

1 grain is actually 74mcg total equivalent, but they have to accommodate the range from 74-100, since the Levo pills only come in certain strenghts.

This chart has the actual amounts of T4 equivalent in each Armour dose.

Armour AT4 AT3 T4 Equiv

1/4 grain 9.5 2.25 18.5

1/2 grain 19 4.5 37

1 grain 38 9 74

1.5 grains 57 13.5 111

2 grains 76 18 148

2.5 grains 95 22.5 185

3 grains 114 27 222

Your current dosage combination is 100 + (4*20) = 180mcg equivalent T4, so that would put you at about 2.5 grains of Armour if you're not going to leave combine with any Levo T4... Judy

Here’s the link I got at the OFFICIAL AMOUR THRYOID SITE when you want to switch from Levoxyl to Armour:

http://www.armourthyroid.com/faq.html#q3 <http://www.armourthyroid.com/faq.html#q3>

Which shows that 1 grain/60 mg is equal to about what I take now of ..100 levoxyl and 20 mcg cytomel

[Guest guest]

Plus, levo has a .88 so why would they jump it up to .100 if it’s only .74 for 1 grain?

sue

Ok, gotcha, I see what you're doing. It's not an " AND " , it's an " OR " .

Each thing is separate, so they're saying that 1 grain of Armour is approximately equivalent to 25mcg of Cytomel OR 100mcg Levothyroxine. Cytomel is T3 and therefore we need the 4X factor which would make it 25*4=100 approx T4 equivalent. The Levo is straight T4 and so it stays at 100.

1 grain is actually 74mcg total equivalent, but they have to accommodate the range from 74-100, since the Levo pills only come in certain strenghts.

This chart has the actual amounts of T4 equivalent in each Armour dose.

Armour AT4 AT3 T4 Equiv

1/4 grain 9.5 2.25 18.5

1/2 grain 19 4.5 37

1 grain 38 9 74

1.5 grains 57 13.5 111

2 grains 76 18 148

2.5 grains 95 22.5 185

3 grains 114 27 222

Your current dosage combination is 100 + (4*20) = 180mcg equivalent T4, so that would put you at about 2.5 grains of Armour if you're not going to leave combine with any Levo T4... Judy

..

[Guest guest]

Don't go by the conversion chart, go by symptoms/temps. Going by that I should only need 3 grains for 300 mcgs thyroxine. On 3 grains my TSH shot up to over 6.00. I'm now on 5 and 1/2 grains about to go to 6, ....................................Meleese in Oz xxx

-------Original Message-------

From: JustYourTypeDTP

Hi Kats, thanks for your reply.I think the labs are good too, but I was last on .112 of levoxyl and 20 mcg of the cytomel and my TSH went down to .01 and my T4 was STILL at .9!So many here keep saying how much better armour is I thought I would try but I dunno now... Plus I looked at your conversion and this is what it says at the armour site, which would mean I would only need 1 grain:1/4 grain = (15 mg) = no T3 and 25 mcg T4 (.025 mg) 1/2 grain = (30 mg) = 12.5 mcg of T3 and 50 mcg T4 (.05 mg)1 grain = (60 mg) = 25 mcg of T3 and 100 mcg T4 (.1 mg)2 grain = (120 mg) = 50 mcg of T3 and 200 mcg T4 (.1 mg)So how coulld 2.5 grains only be 76 / 18?Thanks, sue

[Guest guest]

Hi Melese—I have to start SOMEwhere if I am switching from levo to armour, we are just working that out, thanks, though

sue

Don't go by the conversion chart, go by symptoms/temps. Going by that I should only need 3 grains for 300 mcgs thyroxine. On 3 grains my TSH shot up to over 6.00. I'm now on 5 and 1/2 grains about to go to 6, ....................................Meleese in Oz xxx

-------Original Message-------

[Guest guest]

I found the chart very handy for a starting dose and initial increases especially since I'm combining Levo and Armour. Are you self medicating, or have you found a great doc that will dose to that level by symptoms/temps?...Judy

Don't go by the conversion chart, go by symptoms/temps. Going by that I should only need 3 grains for 300 mcgs thyroxine. On 3 grains my TSH shot up to over 6.00. I'm now on 5 and 1/2 grains about to go to 6, .....................................Meleese in Oz xxx

How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

I think I do understand now--- and will see if she will do half and half...doctors are so “weird” about what they will prescribe for US and yet what would they do for THEMselves? Ya know?

Thanks!

sue

I found the chart very handy for a starting dose and initial increases especially since I'm combining Levo and Armour. Are you self medicating, or have you found a great doc that will dose to that level by symptoms/temps?...Judy

[Guest guest]

I think I do understand now--- and will see if she will do half and half...doctors are so “weird” about what they will prescribe for US and yet what would they do for THEMselves? Ya know?

Thanks!

sue

I found the chart very handy for a starting dose and initial increases especially since I'm combining Levo and Armour. Are you self medicating, or have you found a great doc that will dose to that level by symptoms/temps?...Judy

[Guest guest]

I think I do understand now--- and will see if she will do half and half...doctors are so “weird” about what they will prescribe for US and yet what would they do for THEMselves? Ya know?

Thanks!

sue

I found the chart very handy for a starting dose and initial increases especially since I'm combining Levo and Armour. Are you self medicating, or have you found a great doc that will dose to that level by symptoms/temps?...Judy

[Guest guest]

I actually sort of fell into my dosage. I had found a doc to prescribe Armour and I started at 1 grain and dropped the Levo altogether. I got some bad advice and increased much too quickly up to 1.5 grains and then 2 grains. When I saw the doc on 2 grains, I felt fabulous and so he left me there with instructions to call if I had any hypo symptoms. Well, about 3 days later, the opposite happened. I was sweating, trembling, heart racing etc. The next day, I didn't take anything and thought that I would just go back on my Levo. That's when I did the chart with the combinations and started taking the 100mcg Levo and 1/2 grain Armour. When I saw him again, I told him what I was taking and he didn't flinch. So that's where I am now and I'm not feeling fabulous, but not feeling too bad either. I've since moved and have to break in yet another doctor! The funny thing is (and I may have posted this already) is that with the added Armour, my TSH dropped 10X from 1.18 to ..118, but the other numbers are virtually identical. I think that's why we often need more when on Armour because it suppresses the TSH to the point where we're not getting help from our own thyroids if we still have one. I have a bit of Armour and Levo left to play with, so I think I'll try an increase before I see this new doc, so that I can just tell him what dose I'm already on and get the new script. That's the plan anyway LOL. Thanks for not giving up. I love doing calculations and figuring things out. One woman on another group said I was "way too left-brained and analytical" as if it was a bad thing LOL. I said "thank you"... Judy

I think I do understand now--- and will see if she will do half and half...doctors are so “weird” about what they will prescribe for US and yet what would they do for THEMselves? Ya know?Thanks!sue

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I actually sort of fell into my dosage. I had found a doc to prescribe Armour and I started at 1 grain and dropped the Levo altogether. I got some bad advice and increased much too quickly up to 1.5 grains and then 2 grains. When I saw the doc on 2 grains, I felt fabulous and so he left me there with instructions to call if I had any hypo symptoms. Well, about 3 days later, the opposite happened. I was sweating, trembling, heart racing etc. The next day, I didn't take anything and thought that I would just go back on my Levo. That's when I did the chart with the combinations and started taking the 100mcg Levo and 1/2 grain Armour. When I saw him again, I told him what I was taking and he didn't flinch. So that's where I am now and I'm not feeling fabulous, but not feeling too bad either. I've since moved and have to break in yet another doctor! The funny thing is (and I may have posted this already) is that with the added Armour, my TSH dropped 10X from 1.18 to ..118, but the other numbers are virtually identical. I think that's why we often need more when on Armour because it suppresses the TSH to the point where we're not getting help from our own thyroids if we still have one. I have a bit of Armour and Levo left to play with, so I think I'll try an increase before I see this new doc, so that I can just tell him what dose I'm already on and get the new script. That's the plan anyway LOL. Thanks for not giving up. I love doing calculations and figuring things out. One woman on another group said I was "way too left-brained and analytical" as if it was a bad thing LOL. I said "thank you"... Judy

I think I do understand now--- and will see if she will do half and half...doctors are so “weird” about what they will prescribe for US and yet what would they do for THEMselves? Ya know?Thanks!sue

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I actually sort of fell into my dosage. I had found a doc to prescribe Armour and I started at 1 grain and dropped the Levo altogether. I got some bad advice and increased much too quickly up to 1.5 grains and then 2 grains. When I saw the doc on 2 grains, I felt fabulous and so he left me there with instructions to call if I had any hypo symptoms. Well, about 3 days later, the opposite happened. I was sweating, trembling, heart racing etc. The next day, I didn't take anything and thought that I would just go back on my Levo. That's when I did the chart with the combinations and started taking the 100mcg Levo and 1/2 grain Armour. When I saw him again, I told him what I was taking and he didn't flinch. So that's where I am now and I'm not feeling fabulous, but not feeling too bad either. I've since moved and have to break in yet another doctor! The funny thing is (and I may have posted this already) is that with the added Armour, my TSH dropped 10X from 1.18 to ..118, but the other numbers are virtually identical. I think that's why we often need more when on Armour because it suppresses the TSH to the point where we're not getting help from our own thyroids if we still have one. I have a bit of Armour and Levo left to play with, so I think I'll try an increase before I see this new doc, so that I can just tell him what dose I'm already on and get the new script. That's the plan anyway LOL. Thanks for not giving up. I love doing calculations and figuring things out. One woman on another group said I was "way too left-brained and analytical" as if it was a bad thing LOL. I said "thank you"... Judy

I think I do understand now--- and will see if she will do half and half...doctors are so “weird” about what they will prescribe for US and yet what would they do for THEMselves? Ya know?Thanks!sue

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

So far my doc has let me “write my own ticket” -- when I see her or talk to her, she asks, what are you on and is is working for you? Cool, huh?

So, I threw her a curveball when after a year of adjusting my cytomel and levoxyl , I left message with the nurse yesterday that I want to change to armour.

I am still waiting to talk to her about it...

I am not sure what to do – I like the idea of a mix---so that I can get some t1 and t2 that armour offers PLUS I LOVE the effects of the T3 “straight up.”

I also love figuring things out and also say things when I have been called things a bit stronger than “left brained” lol!

Sue

I actually sort of fell into my dosage. I had found a doc to prescribe Armour and I started at 1 grain and dropped the Levo altogether. I got some bad advice and increased much too quickly up to 1.5 grains and then 2 grains. When I saw the doc on 2 grains, I felt fabulous and so he left me there with instructions to call if I had any hypo symptoms. Well, about 3 days later, the opposite happened. I was sweating, trembling, heart racing etc. The next day, I didn't take anything and thought that I would just go back on my Levo. That's when I did the chart with the combinations and started taking the 100mcg Levo and 1/2 grain Armour. When I saw him again, I told him what I was taking and he didn't flinch. So that's where I am now and I'm not feeling fabulous, but not feeling too bad either. I've since moved and have to break in yet another doctor! The funny thing is (and I may have posted this already) is that with the added Armour, my TSH dropped 10X from 1.18 to ..118, but the other numbers are virtually identical. I think that's why we often need more when on Armour because it suppresses the TSH to the point where we're not getting help from our own thyroids if we still have one. I have a bit of Armour and Levo left to play with, so I think I'll try an increase before I see this new doc, so that I can just tell him what dose I'm already on and get the new script. That's the plan anyway LOL. Thanks for not giving up. I love doing calculations and figuring things out. One woman on another group said I was " way too left-brained and analytical " as if it was a bad thing LOL. I said " thank you " ... Judy

[Guest guest]

So far my doc has let me “write my own ticket” -- when I see her or talk to her, she asks, what are you on and is is working for you? Cool, huh?

So, I threw her a curveball when after a year of adjusting my cytomel and levoxyl , I left message with the nurse yesterday that I want to change to armour.

I am still waiting to talk to her about it...

I am not sure what to do – I like the idea of a mix---so that I can get some t1 and t2 that armour offers PLUS I LOVE the effects of the T3 “straight up.”

I also love figuring things out and also say things when I have been called things a bit stronger than “left brained” lol!

Sue

I actually sort of fell into my dosage. I had found a doc to prescribe Armour and I started at 1 grain and dropped the Levo altogether. I got some bad advice and increased much too quickly up to 1.5 grains and then 2 grains. When I saw the doc on 2 grains, I felt fabulous and so he left me there with instructions to call if I had any hypo symptoms. Well, about 3 days later, the opposite happened. I was sweating, trembling, heart racing etc. The next day, I didn't take anything and thought that I would just go back on my Levo. That's when I did the chart with the combinations and started taking the 100mcg Levo and 1/2 grain Armour. When I saw him again, I told him what I was taking and he didn't flinch. So that's where I am now and I'm not feeling fabulous, but not feeling too bad either. I've since moved and have to break in yet another doctor! The funny thing is (and I may have posted this already) is that with the added Armour, my TSH dropped 10X from 1.18 to ..118, but the other numbers are virtually identical. I think that's why we often need more when on Armour because it suppresses the TSH to the point where we're not getting help from our own thyroids if we still have one. I have a bit of Armour and Levo left to play with, so I think I'll try an increase before I see this new doc, so that I can just tell him what dose I'm already on and get the new script. That's the plan anyway LOL. Thanks for not giving up. I love doing calculations and figuring things out. One woman on another group said I was " way too left-brained and analytical " as if it was a bad thing LOL. I said " thank you " ... Judy

[Guest guest]

So far my doc has let me “write my own ticket” -- when I see her or talk to her, she asks, what are you on and is is working for you? Cool, huh?

So, I threw her a curveball when after a year of adjusting my cytomel and levoxyl , I left message with the nurse yesterday that I want to change to armour.

I am still waiting to talk to her about it...

I am not sure what to do – I like the idea of a mix---so that I can get some t1 and t2 that armour offers PLUS I LOVE the effects of the T3 “straight up.”

I also love figuring things out and also say things when I have been called things a bit stronger than “left brained” lol!

Sue

I actually sort of fell into my dosage. I had found a doc to prescribe Armour and I started at 1 grain and dropped the Levo altogether. I got some bad advice and increased much too quickly up to 1.5 grains and then 2 grains. When I saw the doc on 2 grains, I felt fabulous and so he left me there with instructions to call if I had any hypo symptoms. Well, about 3 days later, the opposite happened. I was sweating, trembling, heart racing etc. The next day, I didn't take anything and thought that I would just go back on my Levo. That's when I did the chart with the combinations and started taking the 100mcg Levo and 1/2 grain Armour. When I saw him again, I told him what I was taking and he didn't flinch. So that's where I am now and I'm not feeling fabulous, but not feeling too bad either. I've since moved and have to break in yet another doctor! The funny thing is (and I may have posted this already) is that with the added Armour, my TSH dropped 10X from 1.18 to ..118, but the other numbers are virtually identical. I think that's why we often need more when on Armour because it suppresses the TSH to the point where we're not getting help from our own thyroids if we still have one. I have a bit of Armour and Levo left to play with, so I think I'll try an increase before I see this new doc, so that I can just tell him what dose I'm already on and get the new script. That's the plan anyway LOL. Thanks for not giving up. I love doing calculations and figuring things out. One woman on another group said I was " way too left-brained and analytical " as if it was a bad thing LOL. I said " thank you " ... Judy

[Guest guest]

Self medicating at the moment, my doctor knows nothing about Armour, had never heard of it, I did try 3 years ago which is when I ran into trouble with the 3 grains/TSH of over 6.00 . We have to get it made up into capsules here by a compounding chemist, most of the time it's slow release even the chemists don't understand dosage, dx'd end of 1994, my thyroid gland is as dead as a dodo.

So am importing and have had no problems

Can't understand why the chemists just can't import the Armour itself instead of thyroid powder USP

Oh and you can't get it on our PBS either, so you pay quite a lot for it, I can import it for about 1/2 the price. Don't come to Australia, lol!

No I shouldn't complain because our health system despite all those who complain about it isn't all that bad, yes it has it's downside but it isn't necessary to be in a health fund.....if I was still on thyroxine because I'm on a pension I could get Oroxine (our name brand) for just under $5.00 a month...just taken my temp 37° Celsius (normal)....yeah!!!!!.......Meleese in Oz xxx

-------Original Message-------

From: Judy P

I found the chart very handy for a starting dose and initial increases especially since I'm combining Levo and Armour. Are you self medicating, or have you found a great doc that will dose to that level by symptoms/temps?...Judy

Don't go by the conversion chart, go by symptoms/temps. Going by that I should only need 3 grains for 300 mcgs thyroxine. On 3 grains my TSH shot up to over 6.00. I'm now on 5 and 1/2 grains about to go to 6, ......................................Meleese in Oz xxx

[Guest guest]

Hi Judy,

Sure, wanna post the chart here or you can send it to me “off list” -- I am a knowledge-seeker, figure-things-out-person myself

I guess I was thinking of a half and half but then a big part of me wanting to switch is cost. I pay $70 month for cytomel and levo and armour would be $10...!

Sue

Are you thinking about an Armour / Levo mix or an Armour / Cytomel mix. I think the latter would give you too much T3, don't you. I think you'll get that 'straight up' effect from the Armour as long as you're getting the same amount of direct T3.

For example, if you took 25mcg Levo and 2 grains Armour, you would get almost the same amount of direct T3 (18vs20) and about the same T4 (101vs100) for a total equivalent of 173mcg which we figure is about 7mcg less than your current dose.

Having said all that, in hindsight I would recommend starting a little slower and then using these calcs for your first goal a few weeks down the road. Even Forest (Armour) says to start dosing at 1/2 grain (30mg) and increase by 1/4 grain (15mg) every 2-3 weeks until you find the correct dosage. They also say that if someone needs more than 3 grains that it usually indicates an absorption problem.

LOL, too much fun. Thanks for letting me exercise my brain. I have a whole chart of combinations of Levo and Armour. Let me know if you want it... Judy

[Guest guest]

Wow, that was easy with the doctor.

Her nurse MAILED me an RX for Armour even though my numbers are

good and we just spent the year tweaking me on Levo and Cytomel.

I just have to at least try Armour to see if it helps with my very sluggish metabolism and hair falling out —

but — even if not and my numbers stay good, it’s only $18.12 for 3 months

worth thru my insurance vs. $140 for 3 months for the Levo and Cytomel combo...wow, big difference...~

She is starting me at 90 mg which I think is 1.5 grains? But I think I will just take the .5 grain and maybe 1/2 the levo and work into it...any suggestions anyone?

Sue

Are you thinking about an Armour / Levo mix or an Armour / Cytomel mix. I think the latter would give you too much T3, don't you. I think you'll get that 'straight up' effect from the Armour as long as you're getting the same amount of direct T3.

For example, if you took 25mcg Levo and 2 grains Armour, you would get almost the same amount of direct T3 (18vs20) and about the same T4 (101vs100) for a total equivalent of 173mcg which we figure is about 7mcg less than your current dose.

Having said all that, in hindsight I would recommend starting a little slower and then using these calcs for your first goal a few weeks down the road. Even Forest (Armour) says to start dosing at 1/2 grain (30mg) and increase by 1/4 grain (15mg) every 2-3 weeks until you find the correct dosage. They also say that if someone needs more than 3 grains that it usually indicates an absorption problem.

LOL, too much fun. Thanks for letting me exercise my brain. I have a whole chart of combinations of Levo and Armour. Let me know if you want it... Judy

I am not sure what to do – I like the idea of a mix---so that I can get some t1 and t2 that armour offers PLUS I LOVE the effects of the T3 “straight up.”

I also love figuring things out and also say things when I have been called things a bit stronger than “left brained” lol!

..

[Guest guest]

Wow, that was easy with the doctor.

Her nurse MAILED me an RX for Armour even though my numbers are

good and we just spent the year tweaking me on Levo and Cytomel.

I just have to at least try Armour to see if it helps with my very sluggish metabolism and hair falling out —

but — even if not and my numbers stay good, it’s only $18.12 for 3 months

worth thru my insurance vs. $140 for 3 months for the Levo and Cytomel combo...wow, big difference...~

She is starting me at 90 mg which I think is 1.5 grains? But I think I will just take the .5 grain and maybe 1/2 the levo and work into it...any suggestions anyone?

Sue

Are you thinking about an Armour / Levo mix or an Armour / Cytomel mix. I think the latter would give you too much T3, don't you. I think you'll get that 'straight up' effect from the Armour as long as you're getting the same amount of direct T3.

For example, if you took 25mcg Levo and 2 grains Armour, you would get almost the same amount of direct T3 (18vs20) and about the same T4 (101vs100) for a total equivalent of 173mcg which we figure is about 7mcg less than your current dose.

Having said all that, in hindsight I would recommend starting a little slower and then using these calcs for your first goal a few weeks down the road. Even Forest (Armour) says to start dosing at 1/2 grain (30mg) and increase by 1/4 grain (15mg) every 2-3 weeks until you find the correct dosage. They also say that if someone needs more than 3 grains that it usually indicates an absorption problem.

LOL, too much fun. Thanks for letting me exercise my brain. I have a whole chart of combinations of Levo and Armour. Let me know if you want it... Judy

I am not sure what to do – I like the idea of a mix---so that I can get some t1 and t2 that armour offers PLUS I LOVE the effects of the T3 “straight up.”

I also love figuring things out and also say things when I have been called things a bit stronger than “left brained” lol!

..

[Guest guest]

I agree with you that I will probably feel the lessened amount of T3 especially since I just added it in back in April after years of feeling nothing, and then with the cytomel it was like, “hey, I can feel my hands now that they have defrosted!”

The Cytomel is SO expensive -- $50 a month with insurance, $100 for 2 months with insurance... The levo is $10 a month or $20 for 3 months and the armour is just $18 for 3 months TOTAL for T3 and T4 so fingers crossed it works.........!

I am gonna start with 1/2 grain and then maybe take a 5mcg of T3 if I do feel ‘sluggish” and then go from there as I adjust to this entirely new drug that my body which most likely metabolize differently than the synthetic I have been on.

I am just wowed that my doc did this without blinking an eye — I feel TRULY fortunate to have found her.

Sue

When I was researching the different drugs, I had a look at Cytomel and couldn't believe how expensive it was. Your doctor's starting dose of 1.5 grains sounds perfect and you're right to ease into it as well. I did mine all wrong and that's why I have an opinion about it. Of course, what's right for me isn't right for everyone and you were already on a higher dose than I was on going in.

I personally like the idea of starting at 1/2 grain with the 50mcg Levo. In hindsight, I wish I had started with that dose myself. In the end, you'll probably be able to get up to the full 1.5 grains with your 50 Levo if you want to stay on a combination. That would give you 161mcg equivalent which is close to what you're on now. Because you're body is already used to the direct T3 from the Cytomel, you could probably start higher, but that's just a guess since I have no experience with Cytomel.

Your year of tweaking won't be wasted at all since you now know what you want to feel like as you move forward with the Armour. Part of my problem is that it's been so long (35 years + 10 years undiagnosed) that I'm truthfully not sure how I'm supposed to feel. Sometimes I think I'm expecting too much, but I'm not ready to give up yet. Good luck and let us know how it's going... Judy

[Guest guest]

I agree with you that I will probably feel the lessened amount of T3 especially since I just added it in back in April after years of feeling nothing, and then with the cytomel it was like, “hey, I can feel my hands now that they have defrosted!”

The Cytomel is SO expensive -- $50 a month with insurance, $100 for 2 months with insurance... The levo is $10 a month or $20 for 3 months and the armour is just $18 for 3 months TOTAL for T3 and T4 so fingers crossed it works.........!

I am gonna start with 1/2 grain and then maybe take a 5mcg of T3 if I do feel ‘sluggish” and then go from there as I adjust to this entirely new drug that my body which most likely metabolize differently than the synthetic I have been on.

I am just wowed that my doc did this without blinking an eye — I feel TRULY fortunate to have found her.

Sue

When I was researching the different drugs, I had a look at Cytomel and couldn't believe how expensive it was. Your doctor's starting dose of 1.5 grains sounds perfect and you're right to ease into it as well. I did mine all wrong and that's why I have an opinion about it. Of course, what's right for me isn't right for everyone and you were already on a higher dose than I was on going in.

I personally like the idea of starting at 1/2 grain with the 50mcg Levo. In hindsight, I wish I had started with that dose myself. In the end, you'll probably be able to get up to the full 1.5 grains with your 50 Levo if you want to stay on a combination. That would give you 161mcg equivalent which is close to what you're on now. Because you're body is already used to the direct T3 from the Cytomel, you could probably start higher, but that's just a guess since I have no experience with Cytomel.

Your year of tweaking won't be wasted at all since you now know what you want to feel like as you move forward with the Armour. Part of my problem is that it's been so long (35 years + 10 years undiagnosed) that I'm truthfully not sure how I'm supposed to feel. Sometimes I think I'm expecting too much, but I'm not ready to give up yet. Good luck and let us know how it's going... Judy

[Guest guest]

I agree with you that I will probably feel the lessened amount of T3 especially since I just added it in back in April after years of feeling nothing, and then with the cytomel it was like, “hey, I can feel my hands now that they have defrosted!”

The Cytomel is SO expensive -- $50 a month with insurance, $100 for 2 months with insurance... The levo is $10 a month or $20 for 3 months and the armour is just $18 for 3 months TOTAL for T3 and T4 so fingers crossed it works.........!

I am gonna start with 1/2 grain and then maybe take a 5mcg of T3 if I do feel ‘sluggish” and then go from there as I adjust to this entirely new drug that my body which most likely metabolize differently than the synthetic I have been on.

I am just wowed that my doc did this without blinking an eye — I feel TRULY fortunate to have found her.

Sue

When I was researching the different drugs, I had a look at Cytomel and couldn't believe how expensive it was. Your doctor's starting dose of 1.5 grains sounds perfect and you're right to ease into it as well. I did mine all wrong and that's why I have an opinion about it. Of course, what's right for me isn't right for everyone and you were already on a higher dose than I was on going in.

I personally like the idea of starting at 1/2 grain with the 50mcg Levo. In hindsight, I wish I had started with that dose myself. In the end, you'll probably be able to get up to the full 1.5 grains with your 50 Levo if you want to stay on a combination. That would give you 161mcg equivalent which is close to what you're on now. Because you're body is already used to the direct T3 from the Cytomel, you could probably start higher, but that's just a guess since I have no experience with Cytomel.

Your year of tweaking won't be wasted at all since you now know what you want to feel like as you move forward with the Armour. Part of my problem is that it's been so long (35 years + 10 years undiagnosed) that I'm truthfully not sure how I'm supposed to feel. Sometimes I think I'm expecting too much, but I'm not ready to give up yet. Good luck and let us know how it's going... Judy