Re: Synthroid and sulfites

[Guest guest]

Hi Venezia,

You know, I think there is something in that Synthoid, because I had such a

bad reaction to the synthroid, puffy, sad, fat, etc...and when I told the dr

that, he suggested that I only take the white ones (.05mg) and see if it made a

difference. Well, I never did take them after that, because I read that so many

people were having horrible side effects from the synthoid, that I thought

" what's the use? " So, I gave it up entirely. But, it sounds like there could

be that component, because I do not do well on sulfa drugs. Sulfa drugs gave me

a mask of pregnancy! Now, it is basically gone since I went off the

synthoid...although it took a while to get rid of it. Plus, I also gave up

gluten too, because I couldn't tolerate that as well, so that could contribute

to it. Anyway, so if it is helping, what dose are you taking for the synthroid

with the white pills?

Thanks!

venizia1948 <nelsonck@...> wrote:

Does anyone know anything about Synthroid having sulfites in it. I

have a sensitivity to

sulfa and sulfites and read that the colored pills of synthroid have sulfites. I

have asked

my doctor to switch me to the white pill ( .05mg) and it is making a difference.

No more

puffy face or puffiness of the rest of my body.

Venezia

[Guest guest]

venizia1948 wrote:

>

> Does anyone know anything about Synthroid having sulfites in it.

It does not. However, it dose have lactose, which many people cannot

handle. Also, you may be reacting to a specific color additive. These

are used to differentiate the various doses, different colors for

different doses. Here are the Synthroid and generic levothyroxine inert

ingredients:

Acacia, confectioner's sugar (contains cornstarch), lactose, magnesium

stearate, povidone, and talc. No sulfites.

The following are the color additives by tablet strength: 25 mcg: FD & C

yellow No. 6; 50 mcg: None; 75 mcg: FD & C red No. 40, FD & C blue No. 2;

88 mcg: FD & C blue No. 1, FD & C yellow No. 6, D & C yellow No. 10; 100 mcg:

D & C yellow No.10, FD & C yellow No. 6; 112 mcg: D & C red No. 27 & 30; 125

mcg: FD & C yellow No. 6, FD & C red No. 40, FD & C blue No. 1; 150 mcg:

FD & C blue No. 2; 175 mcg: FD & C blue No. 1, D & C red No. 27 & 30; 200

mcg: FD & C red No. 40; 300 mcg: D & C yellow No. 10, FD & C yellow No. 6,

FD & C blue No. 1.

Levoxyl inert ingredients:

Microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium and magnesium stearate.

The following are the coloring additives per tablet strength: (mcg) 25

FD & C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake; 50 None; 75 FD & C Blue No. 1 Aluminum

Lake, D & C Red No. 30 Aluminum Lake; 88 FD & C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake,

FD & C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake, D & C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake; 100 FD & C

Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake, D & C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake; 112 FD & C

Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake, FD & C Red No. 40 Aluminum Lake, D & C Red No.

30 Aluminum Lake; 125 FD & C Red No. 40 Aluminum Lake, D & C Yellow No. 10

Aluminum Lake; 137 FD & C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake; 150 FD & C Blue No. 1

Aluminum Lake, D & C Red No. 30 Aluminum Lake; 175 FD & C Blue No. 1

Aluminum Lake, D & C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake; 200 D & C Red No. 30

Aluminum Lake, D & C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake; 300 FD & C Yellow No. 6

Aluminum Lake, FD & C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake, D & C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum

Lake

So what is the difference? The big one is lactose in Synthroid and its

generics. Some people are intolerable to even a tiny amount of this

ingredient. The second big difference is that Synthroid uses dyes for

coloring, while Levoxyl has a combination of dyes and lakes.

A dye is a distinct chemical material, which exhibits coloring power

when dissolved. The lakes are insoluble in nearly all solvents. The

term is derived from the early medieval Latin lacca to indicate a

combination of pigment with products of the lac insect (Kerria lacca).

The lac was imported into Europe from India, and it yielded both red

dyestuff and, as a by-product, shellac (shell-lac) and lacquer

(lac-quer). Until the 18th century, lake indicated red pigments only.

Aluminum lakes are produced by the absorption of a water soluble dye

onto a hydrated aluminum substrate. The food product is colored either

by dispersion of the lake or by coating onto the surface.

Hope that helps.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

Venizia1948,

You wrote:

>

> Chuck if synthroid has cornstarch, cornstarch has a sulfite component

> from what I

> understand. Even if it is a small amount if one is sensitive it can have

> an effect. ...

Thanks. My wife is mildly sensitive to sulfites, so we do avoid foods

with the higher concentrations, the ones that require labeling at 10 ppb

or higher (except for potatoes). However, she does not usually have the

upper respiratory allergic responses. Her problems are all digestive. We

do carry an epi pen, just in case.

Anyway, the amount left in cornstarch from the bleaching process is

pretty small. If the cornstarch is then a minor component of a small

additive to a tiny pill, just a drying agent in the confectioner's

sugar, then the total sulfite exposure from each pill is truly minute. A

tablespoon of gravy could contains thousands of times as much. It would

take a very large sensitivity for your sort of reaction. Most of what I

have read about adverse reactions from synthetic T4 forms has to do with

the coloring.

What is more, the confectioner's sugar is also in the uncolored 50 mcg

pills AT THE SAME LEVEL. If it is the cornstarch, then switching to

these pills should not be helping. The fact that the white pills are

helping further suggests the coloring, in which case another color

(dose) may also work in addition to the plain white.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

Thanks Chuck. That makes a lot of sense.

Venzia

--- Chuck B <gumboyaya@...> wrote:

> Venizia1948,

>

> You wrote:

>

> >

> > Chuck if synthroid has cornstarch, cornstarch has

> a sulfite component

> > from what I

> > understand. Even if it is a small amount if one is

> sensitive it can have

> > an effect. ...

>

> Thanks. My wife is mildly sensitive to sulfites, so

> we do avoid foods

> with the higher concentrations, the ones that

> require labeling at 10 ppb

> or higher (except for potatoes). However, she does

> not usually have the

> upper respiratory allergic responses. Her problems

> are all digestive. We

> do carry an epi pen, just in case.

>

> Anyway, the amount left in cornstarch from the

> bleaching process is

> pretty small. If the cornstarch is then a minor

> component of a small

> additive to a tiny pill, just a drying agent in the

> confectioner's

> sugar, then the total sulfite exposure from each

> pill is truly minute. A

> tablespoon of gravy could contains thousands of

> times as much. It would

> take a very large sensitivity for your sort of

> reaction. Most of what I

> have read about adverse reactions from synthetic T4

> forms has to do with

> the coloring.

>

> What is more, the confectioner's sugar is also in

> the uncolored 50 mcg

> pills AT THE SAME LEVEL. If it is the cornstarch,

> then switching to

> these pills should not be helping. The fact that the

> white pills are

> helping further suggests the coloring, in which case

> another color

> (dose) may also work in addition to the plain white.

>

> Chuck

>

>

>

Carol K.

414-444-1514

[Guest guest]

I am very sulfite sensitive (asthma like reaction) and lactose intolerant. I

asked for Unithroid

based on my research. I took it for a week and didn't have any problems. I'm off

it now until I

have a thyroid scan mid-Jan.

Pam

>

> Does anyone know anything about Synthroid having sulfites in it. I have a

sensitivity to

> sulfa and sulfites and read that the colored pills of synthroid have sulfites.

I have asked

> my doctor to switch me to the white pill ( .05mg) and it is making a

difference. No more

> puffy face or puffiness of the rest of my body.

>

> Venezia

>

[Guest guest]

this is a new one I have never heard b4!!! why would sulfites be in Armour?

let's ask the makers of $inthroid! they'll tell us the truth.

Gracia

,

Thanks for your response to my inquiry about sulfites and synthroid. I am

sorry you have

had to deal with this, also but I am glad that it does not seem to all be in

my head.

Tomorrow I am going to try and contact King Pharmaceuticals, the maker of

Levoxyl and

find out if they have sulfites in it and how much. If your interested, I will

post what I find

out. 1-866-538-6995 is their number if you wanted to contact them yourself.

May I ask what you are taking now for your thyroid? I heard Armour is very bad

for people

with a sulfite sensitivity because of the Pork which is what armour comes

from.

Venizia

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[Guest guest]

Gracia,

From what I understand Armour is derived from the pig. Pig is pork. Pork from

what I have

read at for sulfites is bad for people with a sulfite

sensitivity. If you do

not have a sensitivity it should be no problem for you and you are lucky.

I also spoke with King Pharmaceutical the makers of Levoxyl and Levoxyl for

hypothyroidism states it does not contain sulfites. So I guess it's another

call to my endo

for another change. I know the synthroid is not working. She's going to love

me!! :-)

Venezia

>

> this is a new one I have never heard b4!!! why would sulfites be in Armour?

let's ask

the makers of $inthroid! they'll tell us the truth.

> Gracia

>

>

> ,

>

> Thanks for your response to my inquiry about sulfites and synthroid. I am

sorry you

have

> had to deal with this, also but I am glad that it does not seem to all be in

my head.

>

> Tomorrow I am going to try and contact King Pharmaceuticals, the maker of

Levoxyl

and

> find out if they have sulfites in it and how much. If your interested, I

will post what I

find

> out. 1-866-538-6995 is their number if you wanted to contact them yourself.

>

> May I ask what you are taking now for your thyroid? I heard Armour is very

bad for

people

> with a sulfite sensitivity because of the Pork which is what armour comes

from.

>

> Venizia

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

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>

>

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> Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> Version: 7.1.410 / Virus Database: 268.16.9/622 - Release Date: 1/10/2007

>

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>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Venizia!

Sorry, I've been meaning to answer your question...First, I have hashimoto

thyroiditis, which is autoimmune, and I believe was triggered from my medical

discharge with " undifferentiated connective tissue disease. " I have also been

told my a couple of medical doctors that it could have been from the vaccines I

recieved while in the service. Of course, no one really knows...but I was on

synthroid, and it made me puff up like a balloon, and then a natropath told me

to get off of it, and immediately, I felt better.

Then, I did 2 liver flushes (www.modernmanna.com) and went of gluten, started

walking, getting sunshine, doing contrast showers, and I went from 210lbs to 135

in about 1 year, without ANY drugs! Amazingly, my TSH was STILL High! Who knew

what the weight loss was all about. Well, I started to feel bad again, (after a

very stressful event) and relapsed. I found an over the counter thyroid hormone

replacement that apparently doesn't have TSH in it, (www.elizabethdane.com) and

that seemed to help, but I can't confirm this with TSH, as I don't have any

tests since this. But, I also started doing some mercury detox too. Now,

I am doing some homeopathy with thyroid replacement, some more detoxing and

cleansing, and I will let you know more as I find out. Do you have autoimmune?

I was considering Armour, but that has sulfites? I also need T3, so Levoxil

doesn't have it either. And, also I am taking selenium too.

What are you taking?

Blessings!

venizia1948 <nelsonck@...> wrote:

May I ask what you are taking now for your thyroid? I heard Armour is very bad

for people

with a sulfite sensitivity because of the Pork which is what armour comes from.

Venizia

[Guest guest]

well I know pig is pork but where are the sulfites coming from?

Gracia

Gracia,

From what I understand Armour is derived from the pig. Pig is pork. Pork from

what I have

read at for sulfites is bad for people with a sulfite

sensitivity. If you do

not have a sensitivity it should be no problem for you and you are lucky.

I also spoke with King Pharmaceutical the makers of Levoxyl and Levoxyl for

hypothyroidism states it does not contain sulfites. So I guess it's another

call to my endo

for another change. I know the synthroid is not working. She's going to love

me!! :-)

Venezia

---

Recent Activity

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[Guest guest]

Gracia,

Someone posted this info on " Sulfitesnomore " I am trying to

find out

who that was so that I can get it clarified. I will probably contact the

company that makes

Armour and ask them to be sure. Not all info on these sites is going to be

totally accurate

but I am glad for all these people and the info that they have....they have been

a great help

to me. I am glad they are out there because one can feel quite alone with some

of these

ailments. It is up to each of us, if we do not agree, to find out and do the

research. Will let

you know what I find out.

Venizia

-- In hypothyroidism , " Gracia " <circe@...> wrote:

>

>

> well I know pig is pork but where are the sulfites coming from?

> Gracia

>

> Gracia,

>

> From what I understand Armour is derived from the pig. Pig is pork. Pork

from what I

have

> read at for sulfites is bad for people with a sulfite

sensitivity. If you

do

> not have a sensitivity it should be no problem for you and you are lucky.

>

> I also spoke with King Pharmaceutical the makers of Levoxyl and Levoxyl for

> hypothyroidism states it does not contain sulfites. So I guess it's another

call to my

endo

> for another change. I know the synthroid is not working. She's going to love

me!! :-)

>

> Venezia

>

> ---

> Recent Activity

> a.. 21New Members

> Visit Your Group

>

[Guest guest]

Gracia,

You wrote:

>

> well I know pig is pork but where are the sulfites coming from?

There are trace amounts of sulfites in all tissues, more in some glands.

In fact, sulfate/sulfite is involved in the conversion of T4 to T3.

However, the amount left in the dessicated medication should be truly

minuscule. A piece of bacon should contain much more.

According to Forest Laboratories, they do not use sulfides or sulfites

in the processing of Armour, although it could be helpful as an

antioxidant or biocide preservative.

I also cannot find any source for sulfites reportedly in the synthetic

T4s. A very tiny amount is used in some of the dyes, which also have

been reported to cause very similar sensitivity reactions, particularly

for people allergic to aspirin. However, this would contribute amounts

in the nanogram range, not milligram. Is it possible the units given by

Abbott Labs was micrograms rather than mg? That would make a lot more sense.

Even with hypersensitivity to sulfites, I believe you need more than one

milligram to insure a reaction.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

Chuck

When I contacted Abbott Labs, the person I spoke with did say milligrams however

that is

not to say that he did not get the info wrong. All I know is I have a reaction

to synthroid,

as do others with a lot of the same symptoms I exhibit. I just wish I knew what

in it, I am

reacting to.

Thanks for the info. Very Interesting!!

Venizia

> >

> > well I know pig is pork but where are the sulfites coming from?

>

> There are trace amounts of sulfites in all tissues, more in some glands.

> In fact, sulfate/sulfite is involved in the conversion of T4 to T3.

> However, the amount left in the dessicated medication should be truly

> minuscule. A piece of bacon should contain much more.

>

> According to Forest Laboratories, they do not use sulfides or sulfites

> in the processing of Armour, although it could be helpful as an

> antioxidant or biocide preservative.

>

> I also cannot find any source for sulfites reportedly in the synthetic

> T4s. A very tiny amount is used in some of the dyes, which also have

> been reported to cause very similar sensitivity reactions, particularly

> for people allergic to aspirin. However, this would contribute amounts

> in the nanogram range, not milligram. Is it possible the units given by

> Abbott Labs was micrograms rather than mg? That would make a lot more sense.

>

> Even with hypersensitivity to sulfites, I believe you need more than one

> milligram to insure a reaction.

>

> Chuck

>

[Guest guest]

Venizia,

You wrote:

>

> When I contacted Abbott Labs, the person I spoke with did say milligrams...

> I just wish I knew what in it, I am reacting to. ...

At this point I would still suspect the coloring agents over sulfites,

although that is possible too.

(1) Their inclusion in the ingredients is widely published.

(2) We know people sensitive to sulfites or aspirin have similar

reactions to them.

(3) I can't seem to find anything about sulfites being in Synthroid.

Please let us know if you find any more about sulfites in the synthetics.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

The problem with sulfites, as well as other food allergies/intolerances, is that

manufacturers only have to state what ingredients they put in. Not what was put

ingredients from other sources. Someone with a sulfite sensitivity has to be

aware of any

corn or potato derivative in the products they use. Both are commonly washed

with a

sulfite solution prior to being used as ingredients. You may not see a sulfite

listed, and the

company may say they do not use sulfites, but it is there. The list of corn

derivatives is

extensive http://www.cornallergens.com/list/corn-allergen-list.php.

That said, the other problem with allergies/intolerances is that each person's

level of

intolerance may be different. I cannot have any pork product at all, others can

eat certain

hams. Some of us cannot even tolerate the gelatin (derived from pork) when

taking

medications.

It is almost impossible to really figure out the levels of sulfites in some

products, thyroid

meds are just one. If someone is reacting to Synthoid, it is well worth the

effort to try

another med. I have done fine on Unithroid but only was able to take it for a

week then

had to come off to await a thyroid scan. Armour is something I would not

personally go

near but other sulfite sensitive people may do fine with it.

Very few doctors, companies, pharmacists, etc get sulfite intolerances. You

cannot depend

on them to watch out for you.

> >

> > When I contacted Abbott Labs, the person I spoke with did say milligrams...

> > I just wish I knew what in it, I am reacting to. ...

>

> At this point I would still suspect the coloring agents over sulfites,

> although that is possible too.

>

> (1) Their inclusion in the ingredients is widely published.

> (2) We know people sensitive to sulfites or aspirin have similar

> reactions to them.

> (3) I can't seem to find anything about sulfites being in Synthroid.

>

> Please let us know if you find any more about sulfites in the synthetics.

>

> Chuck

>

[Guest guest]

engspotbunny,

Thank you!! This has been very helpful. Are you back on Unithroid and if you

are, may I

ask how you are doing on it. I am now taking levoxyl. I was on synthroid. I

tried Nature-

throid, thought I had a reaction to it but as I am reading more about sulfites,

I think it may

have been a reaction to what I ate that day and not the Nature-throid but I went

off the

Nature-throid that day because my reaction was so bad.

Venizia

> > >

> > > When I contacted Abbott Labs, the person I spoke with did say

milligrams...

> > > I just wish I knew what in it, I am reacting to. ...

> >

> > At this point I would still suspect the coloring agents over sulfites,

> > although that is possible too.

> >

> > (1) Their inclusion in the ingredients is widely published.

> > (2) We know people sensitive to sulfites or aspirin have similar

> > reactions to them.

> > (3) I can't seem to find anything about sulfites being in Synthroid.

> >

> > Please let us know if you find any more about sulfites in the synthetics.

> >

> > Chuck

> >

>

[Guest guest]

engspotbunny,

You wrote:

>

> The problem with sulfites, as well as other food allergies/intolerances,

> is that manufacturers only have to state what ingredients they put in....

I dug up a couple of items:

Pork at most contains about 1 ppm of natural sulfites. I can see where a

few bites of pork roast might be a problem, but a small Armour pill

seems less likely. It depends on the degree of sensitivity. People with

the greatest problem have both a toxic reaction to sulfites and lack an

enzyme that metabolizes and eliminates it.

The chemical structure of 6 out of 7 FD & C colors has SO3 attached. Thus,

the colorings are indeed a source of sulfite. However, these colors are

difficult to digest and often pass through the system intact. This means

they are at best a very weak source of sulfite. Plus, they are tiny

concentrations in a small pill. Again, it would take hypersensitivity

for that to make a difference.

This explains how Abbott Labs can say they have 2.9 mg of sulfites in

each pill. However, it also suggests that many OTC and prescription

drugs are full of sulfite. Unless you have a white pill, you are

probably getting at least one FD & C coloring. People who are

hypersensitive to sulfites need to watch out for these hidden sulfites.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

Hi Chuck, What about sulphates? That is Sulfur + Oxygen. We have sulphates in

everything. They use Sodium Sulphates in food, detergents, dyes, laxatives, wood

processing, paper, soap, candles, and most fabrics, rayon, Medicines etc. Should

someone with sulfur allergies eliminate these things also? I have an allergie

to most detergents. I can only use Tide on my clothes. fThank You, D999

Chuck B <gumboyaya@...> wrote: engspotbunny,

You wrote:

>

> The problem with sulfites, as well as other food allergies/intolerances,

> is that manufacturers only have to state what ingredients they put in....

I dug up a couple of items:

Pork at most contains about 1 ppm of natural sulfites. I can see where a

few bites of pork roast might be a problem, but a small Armour pill

seems less likely. It depends on the degree of sensitivity. People with

the greatest problem have both a toxic reaction to sulfites and lack an

enzyme that metabolizes and eliminates it.

The chemical structure of 6 out of 7 FD & C colors has SO3 attached. Thus,

the colorings are indeed a source of sulfite. However, these colors are

difficult to digest and often pass through the system intact. This means

they are at best a very weak source of sulfite. Plus, they are tiny

concentrations in a small pill. Again, it would take hypersensitivity

for that to make a difference.

This explains how Abbott Labs can say they have 2.9 mg of sulfites in

each pill. However, it also suggests that many OTC and prescription

drugs are full of sulfite. Unless you have a white pill, you are

probably getting at least one FD & C coloring. People who are

hypersensitive to sulfites need to watch out for these hidden sulfites.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

Hi Chuck, What about sulphates? That is Sulfur + Oxygen. We have sulphates in

everything. They use Sodium Sulphates in food, detergents, dyes, laxatives, wood

processing, paper, soap, candles, and most fabrics, rayon, Medicines etc. Should

someone with sulfur allergies eliminate these things also? I have an allergie

to most detergents. I can only use Tide on my clothes. Thank You, D999

Chuck B <gumboyaya@...> wrote: engspotbunny,

You wrote:

>

> The problem with sulfites, as well as other food allergies/intolerances,

> is that manufacturers only have to state what ingredients they put in....

I dug up a couple of items:

Pork at most contains about 1 ppm of natural sulfites. I can see where a

few bites of pork roast might be a problem, but a small Armour pill

seems less likely. It depends on the degree of sensitivity. People with

the greatest problem have both a toxic reaction to sulfites and lack an

enzyme that metabolizes and eliminates it.

The chemical structure of 6 out of 7 FD & C colors has SO3 attached. Thus,

the colorings are indeed a source of sulfite. However, these colors are

difficult to digest and often pass through the system intact. This means

they are at best a very weak source of sulfite. Plus, they are tiny

concentrations in a small pill. Again, it would take hypersensitivity

for that to make a difference.

This explains how Abbott Labs can say they have 2.9 mg of sulfites in

each pill. However, it also suggests that many OTC and prescription

drugs are full of sulfite. Unless you have a white pill, you are

probably getting at least one FD & C coloring. People who are

hypersensitive to sulfites need to watch out for these hidden sulfites.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

Dauphine,

You wrote:

> What about sulphates? That is Sulfur + Oxygen. ...

Both sulphates and sulfites involve sulfur and oxygen. The sulphate ion

is SO4, while sulfite is SO3. As you say, sulphates are everywhere, so

the sensitivity to sulfites rarely, if ever, carries over to sulphates.

It is a very different chemistry, although sulphates can be converted to

sulfites.

Allergic contact dermatitis from washing compounds is more often a

reaction to either alkali or detergent (irritants), or to added

fragrance, than to the sulphate salt. The most common other causes of

_allergic_ dermatitis are nickel, silicone rubber (in gloves), dyes,

permanent press chemicals, preservatives, and formaldehyde. Some of the

preservatives used in shampoo and lotions will release formaldehyde.

Sulphate, by comparison, is relatively benign.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

I have part one of the thyroid uptake and scan today, the second part tomorrow.

Then I

can start taking the Unithroid again! I felt a difference after just one week a

month ago so I

am really looking forward to taking it again. The fatigue crashes are really a

pita.

I don't suspect I'll have a problem as I didn't before. Not after a week of

taking it.

The only good thing about hypo was gaining a few pounds. I lost so much being on

this

stricted, limited diet that I am actually underweight. I'm 5'4 " and weighed 106.

Now it's

more like 110. Still, I didn't like gaining weight without changing my eating

habits. I eat so

little now I couldn't imagine having to cut back!

>

> engspotbunny,

>

> Thank you!! This has been very helpful. Are you back on Unithroid and if you

are, may I

> ask how you are doing on it. I am now taking levoxyl. I was on synthroid. I

tried Nature-

> throid, thought I had a reaction to it but as I am reading more about

sulfites, I think it

may

> have been a reaction to what I ate that day and not the Nature-throid but I

went off the

> Nature-throid that day because my reaction was so bad.

>

> Venizia

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Don't ignore confectioner's sugar with or without cornstarch. It's certainly

worse with it.

Did Abbott add that source as well? Regardless of what the manufacturers say,

it's up to us

to recognize a reaction and find an alternate med.

In the Armour pill you not only have to worry about pork, but calcium sterate,

dextrose,

microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium starch glycolate. Virtually every

ingredient screams

sulfite warning! Far more so than the Synthroids etc.

Yes, sulfite sensitivity is a metabolic issue, similar to lactose intolerance.

And is dose

dependent. Not necessarily just one dose, but over hours or days. Since sulfites

occur

naturally in all foods, it becomes all about finding a balance.

> >

> > The problem with sulfites, as well as other food allergies/intolerances,

> > is that manufacturers only have to state what ingredients they put in....

>

> I dug up a couple of items:

>

> Pork at most contains about 1 ppm of natural sulfites. I can see where a

> few bites of pork roast might be a problem, but a small Armour pill

> seems less likely. It depends on the degree of sensitivity. People with

> the greatest problem have both a toxic reaction to sulfites and lack an

> enzyme that metabolizes and eliminates it.

>

> The chemical structure of 6 out of 7 FD & C colors has SO3 attached. Thus,

> the colorings are indeed a source of sulfite. However, these colors are

> difficult to digest and often pass through the system intact. This means

> they are at best a very weak source of sulfite. Plus, they are tiny

> concentrations in a small pill. Again, it would take hypersensitivity

> for that to make a difference.

>

> This explains how Abbott Labs can say they have 2.9 mg of sulfites in

> each pill. However, it also suggests that many OTC and prescription

> drugs are full of sulfite. Unless you have a white pill, you are

> probably getting at least one FD & C coloring. People who are

> hypersensitive to sulfites need to watch out for these hidden sulfites.

>

> Chuck

>

[Guest guest]

Well, I know levoxyl has microcrystalline cellulose. Oh how frustrating!!! I

have only been

on it since last Friday but I can tell something is up....I still have the

facial swelling and

where I lost 6# when I was taking Nature throid which was only 5 days and my

facial

swelling went away, I have gain it all back with the levoxyl and than some. I

think I will

check into Unithroid. I know Donnie takes that and seems to do well on it, also.

So what is in microcrystalline cellulose that is the problem?

Venizia

> > >

> > > The problem with sulfites, as well as other food allergies/intolerances,

> > > is that manufacturers only have to state what ingredients they put in....

> >

> > I dug up a couple of items:

> >

> > Pork at most contains about 1 ppm of natural sulfites. I can see where a

> > few bites of pork roast might be a problem, but a small Armour pill

> > seems less likely. It depends on the degree of sensitivity. People with

> > the greatest problem have both a toxic reaction to sulfites and lack an

> > enzyme that metabolizes and eliminates it.

> >

> > The chemical structure of 6 out of 7 FD & C colors has SO3 attached. Thus,

> > the colorings are indeed a source of sulfite. However, these colors are

> > difficult to digest and often pass through the system intact. This means

> > they are at best a very weak source of sulfite. Plus, they are tiny

> > concentrations in a small pill. Again, it would take hypersensitivity

> > for that to make a difference.

> >

> > This explains how Abbott Labs can say they have 2.9 mg of sulfites in

> > each pill. However, it also suggests that many OTC and prescription

> > drugs are full of sulfite. Unless you have a white pill, you are

> > probably getting at least one FD & C coloring. People who are

> > hypersensitive to sulfites need to watch out for these hidden sulfites.

> >

> > Chuck

> >

>

[Guest guest]

well on it, also.

>

> So what is in microcrystalline cellulose that is the problem?

>

corn, which means potential sulfites.

[Guest guest]

venizia,

You wrote:

>

> Well, I know levoxyl has microcrystalline cellulose. ...

> So what is in microcrystalline cellulose that is the problem?

I doubt very much that microcrystalline cellulose is the problem. This

is basically a very pure form of wood fiber. It is one of the most

chemically inert and pure excipients they use in medications. All the

organic and inorganic contaminants have been cleaned away. What is left

by chemical processing does not react with or dissolve in much of

anything your digestive system can throw at it. I don't see sulfites in

calcium stearate, dextrose, or sodium starch glycolate, either, although

you might react badly to some of these in other ways.

The sulfites in Armour are from the natural component in pork. Since the

glands have been desiccated, that may be at a higher concentration than

in pork roast, but it is still not very much in each pill.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

Thanks Chuck. It does make me feel better about using levoxyl but if this

facial swelling

does not improve, I will probably go back to Naturethroid. I believe

microcrystalline

cellulose is also in Naturethroid so it probably isn't mc causing my problem.

You are so

helpful thanks again.

Venizia

> >

> > Well, I know levoxyl has microcrystalline cellulose. ...

> > So what is in microcrystalline cellulose that is the problem?

>

> I doubt very much that microcrystalline cellulose is the problem. This

> is basically a very pure form of wood fiber. It is one of the most

> chemically inert and pure excipients they use in medications. All the

> organic and inorganic contaminants have been cleaned away. What is left

> by chemical processing does not react with or dissolve in much of

> anything your digestive system can throw at it. I don't see sulfites in

> calcium stearate, dextrose, or sodium starch glycolate, either, although

> you might react badly to some of these in other ways.

>

> The sulfites in Armour are from the natural component in pork. Since the

> glands have been desiccated, that may be at a higher concentration than

> in pork roast, but it is still not very much in each pill.

>

> Chuck

>