Re: Alternative to Armour?

[Guest guest]

and Irwin wrote:

> Hi,

> I am a kosher vegetarian, and was wondering if there was any other

> alternative to Armour? Also, I did horrible on Synthroid, and am

> currently taking nothing. While I don't feel the greatest, I feel 100%

> better while off Synthroid. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Try another synthetic T4, especially ones from outside the U.S. They

contain different inert ingredients, which can sometimes cause

sensitivity reactions.

However, I should also ask if the horrible effects of Synthroid resemble

hypoT or perhaps hyperT symptoms. If so, it could be that you simply

didn't get enough of it to be therapeutic (or too much). Since they ramp

up the dosage so slowly, that is a common illusion. People think they

are reacting to the T4, when they simply aren't getting enough.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

Hi Chuck,

Thanks for the reply. When I was on synthroid, I got palpitations,

depression, weight gain, water retention, it was like I was always PMSing.

Although my TSH would be in range. Somewhere around 3.

I've been off synthroid now for 2 years, and my TSH is back up to almost 40

and my T4 is .5 Although, right now I am experiencing a little weight, when

off synthroid, I lost almost 65 pounds. I felt great, walking 4-8 miles a day.

I am terrified of going back on it, as I know how horrible I felt.

Ideally, I want to stay off all medications. I feel very strongly about it.

But, if I had to take something, I would want to go more Ovine or Bovine, from

organic sources...but Armour is out of the question, due to kosher reasons. Do

you know of any?

Thanks for your adivce!

Chuck B <gumboyaya@...> wrote:

and Irwin wrote:

> Hi,

> I am a kosher vegetarian, and was wondering if there was any other

> alternative to Armour? Also, I did horrible on Synthroid, and am

> currently taking nothing. While I don't feel the greatest, I feel 100%

> better while off Synthroid. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Try another synthetic T4, especially ones from outside the U.S. They

contain different inert ingredients, which can sometimes cause

sensitivity reactions.

However, I should also ask if the horrible effects of Synthroid resemble

hypoT or perhaps hyperT symptoms. If so, it could be that you simply

didn't get enough of it to be therapeutic (or too much). Since they ramp

up the dosage so slowly, that is a common illusion. People think they

are reacting to the T4, when they simply aren't getting enough.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

,

You wrote:

> ... When I was on synthroid, I got palpitations,

> depression, weight gain, water retention, it was like I was always

> PMSing. Although my TSH would be in range. Somewhere around 3.

Those symptoms are not very definitive, although suggestive of hypoT,

except for the palpitations. Were you cold? Itching? Hairloss?

If your TSH is 40, you won't be able to stay off medication for long.

> ... But, if I had to take something, I would want to go more

> Ovine or Bovine, from organic sources...but Armour is out of the

> question, due to kosher reasons. Do you know of any?

No, I don't. I believe bovine thyroids are not as consistent as the

porcine. I seem to recall they react to some other human hormone.

Anyway, that is why I suggested another synthetic. Just check the extra

ingredients to make sure you really are trying something different from

Synthroid. Also, don't stop until you get your TSH down around 2.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

Gracia wrote:

>

> OMG Chuck

> remember that woman I work with who is on $inthroid, TSH of 2+? ...

OK, _at least_ down to 2. She had stopped before at 3.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

OMG Chuck

remember that woman I work with who is on $inthroid, TSH of 2+? The one

with puffy alligator eyes? She broke her ankle in 2 places while standing

in place, she is having such a hard time with brain fog and it's impacting

her job.

Gracia

> Synthroid. Also, don't stop until you get your TSH down around 2.

>

> Chuck

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 26/04/2006 04:10:19 GMT Daylight Time, gumboyaya@...

writes:

down to 2. She had stopped before at 3.

Hi all

Just to say I was diagnosed hypoT wih the TSH of 1.59 last year. My adrenals

were well out of whack also and I started treating them first and then added

in Armour.

I still have a way to go but so far there has been serious improvement.

Mo

HEPACTION Counselling & Healing Services

http://www.hepactionuk.blogspot.com/

[Guest guest]

hepaction@... wrote:

>

>

> Just to say I was diagnosed hypoT wih the TSH of 1.59 last year. ...

That is unusual, since the book definition of hypoT is in terms of TSH

being significantly higher than that. A strict constructionist (most

doctors) might agree that you had hypoT symptoms but not that this met

the definition of the diagnosis. If the symptoms were due to the

adrenals anyway, then you may have the right treatment, but the

terminology seems wrong.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 26/04/2006 23:39:17 GMT Daylight Time, gumboyaya@...

writes:

That is unusual, since the book definition of hypoT is in terms of TSH

being significantly higher than that. A strict constructionist (most

doctors) might agree that you had hypoT symptoms but not that this met

the definition of the diagnosis. If the symptoms were due to the

adrenals anyway, then you may have the right treatment, but the

terminology seems wrong.

Hi Chuck

It might be the TSH test that is all wrong in diagnosing hypoT! I have been

told that the Free T3 is a more important indication along with symptoms.

But yes, you are right about your average GP in the UK, they usually go

strictly by the TSH and its wide range, a range which I believe has been

narrowed

recently in the U.S.

I had symptoms of both adrenal stress and hypoT, seems they like to tango,

lol

Mo

HEPACTION Counselling & Healing Services

http://www.hepactionuk.blogspot.com/

[Guest guest]

Mo,

You wrote:

>

> It might be the TSH test that is all wrong in diagnosing hypoT! ...

> I had symptoms of both adrenal stress and hypoT, seems they like to tango,

When the symptoms are caused by adrenal fatigue, it is different from

" primary " hypoT. If you fix the adrenals early enough, there's a good

chance the thyroid (and other systems) can recover, at least partially.

Not so for most of us. The adrenal caused condition is statistically

somewhat rare compared to the primary forms. OTOH, being primary hypoT

for a long time can also damage the adrenals.

Historically, hypoT was DEFINED in the literature (and text books) as

elevated TSH. It was not considered a test indication; it was a

definition. High TSH was hypoT, low TSH was hyperT, and in between was

euthyroid. Everything else was symptomology. Today, doctors are more

informed about the possible underlying causes of the test results, but

from what little I've seen, they still tend to be shy about bucking the

older terminology.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

Hi Chuck,

You wrote:

>Those symptoms are not very definitive, although suggestive of hypoT,

>except for the palpitations. Were you cold? Itching? Hairloss?

Yes, I was always cold, constipation, I did have itching on calves, extremely

dry skin, not sure about hairloss, as I have always had a lot of hair on the

brush when I brushed my hair...but when I was first diagnosed, I was in the TSH

40 range. I thought that once they gave me synthroid, I would be so much

better, but was worse. This is a terrible disease. I just wish that more could

be done.

>If your TSH is 40, you won't be able to stay off medication for long.

What will happen if I stay off medication? Thanks again!

Chuck B <gumboyaya@...> wrote:

,

You wrote:

> ... When I was on synthroid, I got palpitations,

> depression, weight gain, water retention, it was like I was always

> PMSing. Although my TSH would be in range. Somewhere around 3.

Those symptoms are not very definitive, although suggestive of hypoT,

except for the palpitations. Were you cold? Itching? Hairloss?

If your TSH is 40, you won't be able to stay off medication for long.

> ... But, if I had to take something, I would want to go more

> Ovine or Bovine, from organic sources...but Armour is out of the

> question, due to kosher reasons. Do you know of any?

No, I don't. I believe bovine thyroids are not as consistent as the

porcine. I seem to recall they react to some other human hormone.

Anyway, that is why I suggested another synthetic. Just check the extra

ingredients to make sure you really are trying something different from

Synthroid. Also, don't stop until you get your TSH down around 2.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

,

You wrote:

>

> >If your TSH is 40, you won't be able to stay off medication for long.

>

> What will happen if I stay off medication? ...

Eventually, it progresses to myxedema coma, which actually is neither a

form of edema or coma, but a general deterioration of multiple organs

most obviously manifest in severe loss of cognitive function. Most of us

have complained about brain fog. This is brain fog on steroids.

It is terminal.

Chuck