OT - thyroid meds

This post is just for hypothyroid folks.
I'm sure I'm not the only hypothyroid person on this forum. I've been on Armour Thyroid for 20 years. Because I'm having such fatigue problems, which as of yet haven't been relieved by CPAP, my doctor and I decided today that maybe my body is just not happy with Armour anymore. Apparently they changed the formula several years ago (which I didn't know), and quite a few people have felt worse since then. So, I'm wondering what meds you use for hypothyroid and how you feel they're working for you. My doc is switching me to Synthroid, but I know there are a few other options out there too (but not a lot). Thanks!

Rainmom17 wrote:This post is just for hypothyroid folks.
I'm sure I'm not the only hypothyroid person on this forum. I've been on Armour Thyroid for 20 years. Because I'm having such fatigue problems, which as of yet haven't been relieved by CPAP, my doctor and I decided today that maybe my body is just not happy with Armour anymore. Apparently they changed the formula several years ago (which I didn't know), and quite a few people have felt worse since then. So, I'm wondering what meds you use for hypothyroid and how you feel they're working for you. My doc is switching me to Synthroid, but I know there are a few other options out there too (but not a lot). Thanks!

You might try browsing through these links.

viewtopic/t158096/search.php?keywords=hypothyroid

https://www.google.com/search?q=hypothy ... 8&oe=utf-8


Den

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My husband switched from Armour to NP Thyroid when they switched the formula, but hasn't felt any better. whether from the thyroid or some other condition. Hope you get some good answers

There is a medical facility in Tukwila that has resources on their website. Google "Tahoma Clinic", and there should be options for 'Health Talks', papers, and whatnot that you can browse and read. They are also a place where you can order your own lab tests (the lab is adjacent to the medical offices). Most of their solutions are alternative medicine. I can't remember what they told my mom about thyroid stuff, just that it was interesting.

Levothyroxine 0.88 mg. It has been working for many,many years.

My Mom uses generic. When she went through a period of extreme tiredness, doc had her get the brand name Synthroid. Problem went away. Walgreens had so many similar complaints, that they switched companies that provided the generic and Mom tried it again. Everything was fine and has been so for the last decade. It sometimes helps to talk to BOTH your doctor and pharmacist about medications. The real problem is getting your insurance to pay for a non-generic. In that case, check GoodRX.com and similar places for a better financial deal.

Another levothyroxine user here. I was on a synthroid non-generic and was paying some high co-pays. Switched to the generic, and there is a twist. I need to take the 88mg 3 times a week, and the 100mg 4 times a week. But that's been working well for me, too, for years now. No co-pays, and get a yearly TSH lab test and it always looks good, and I feel fine.

I've been on Synthroid for some years now. Started at 88 mcg and was raised to 112 mcg within last 2 years when TSH test indicated it was necessary and I'd been noticing an increase in sluggishness. I've had no problems with it.

Jean

Thanks for the replies. Good to read mostly good things about Synthroid/levothyroxine. Doing Google searches led me down the path of thinking it's the worst thing ever (lots of negativity out there.) So it's nice to hear from actual people who are having a good experience with it. I was a little nervous about making a change after 20 years.

I think which medication you take is not a one-size fits all. Look at original diagnosis, what was the issue? My test showed sluggish pituitary, normal TSH, low normal T4 and very low T3. i also have antibodies to peroxidase and further testing breaking down the T3 number Total T3 that shows on a test is reverse T3 + T3. I start off feeling good on T4 products but as the months go on I feel less and less well. The 2 times I've had reverse T3 measured it was very high. Reverse T3 clogs the receptors on the cells, all of them in the body, little thyroid medication can get in the cell. They found the gene that makes it happen 2 years ago. It takes 12 excrutiating weeks to clear out reverse RT3. Unfortunately the antibodies made against my thyroid have destroyed the thyroid tissue so I only have 60% of a normal thyroid size by ultrasound testing. I now take T3 only medication. T3 is very important to the heart muscle cells. Without it free fatty acids build up, through a long chemical mechanism, the mitochondria in the cells stay in place longer, oxidative damage occurs. When I went on T3 I could burn free fatty acids and my cholesterol dropped 40 point.

I found a terrific thyroid expert while reading a magazine at the grocery store. It listed TOP doctors in my area. I noted the Drs name for thyroid. I would never have known any of this without a true expert guiding me.