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Newspaper Columns, Herb & Home Remedy Q&A July 12, 2007
Q. You once had an article about some people needing Armour Thyroid because Synthroid doesn't contain T3. I want to thank you for saving my sanity and life.
Since 1993, I have been on Synthroid and more recently, Levoxyl. I have been telling my doctor and nurses that this stuff doesn't work for me but no one listened. When I stopped the drug for several months I couldn’t tell the difference.
I found your article and gave it to my physician’s assistant. She was reluctant to prescribe Armour Thyroid but she did. In less than a week and half, I have more energy than I’ve had for 14 years. I no longer suffer tiredness like being almost dead.
I wish I had demanded Armour sooner. Why doesn't the medical establishment listen to the patient? Instead of letting me know about Armour Thyroid, I was given antidepressants.
A. You are not the only person who has been prescribed an antidepressant for symptoms of low thyroid. Correcting a thyroid imbalance often addresses symptoms such as depression, fatigue or mental slowness.
The use of Armour Thyroid is controversial. Some people do not appear to convert the hormone T4 (found in Synthroid and Levoxyl) into the active form, T3, efficiently. Armour desiccated thyroid contains both forms of the hormone, although endocrinologists dispute whether they are in the correct proportions.We discuss the pros and cons of this treatment in our Guide to Thyroid Hormones, along with symptoms of thyroid difficulties and guidelines for interpreting test results.
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
© 2007 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Reader Comments
I am writing concerning the use of Armour Thyroid for the treament of hypothyroid.
For years I used synthetic thyroid meds; different doctors prescribed different brands. I could barely tell I was taking anything. (Thyroid disease runs in my family, big time.)
Then I went to a wonderfully "old-timey" elderly doctor; he READILY prescribed Armour thyroid. WHEW, what a difference! Then we moved; from 1977 until about three years ago I rode the roller coaster of using synthetic thyroid meds. I had a puffy face, puffy eye area, hoarseness, weightgain, thin hair, etc.
After Receiving information from The Peoples' Pharmacy about the pros and cons of using Armour natural thyroid, I went to my doctor's office and begged, literally, begged my nurse practitioner to put me back on Armour. After a long while she agreed. THE ONLY problem was that she started me off with the LOWEST dose Armour comes in. (When I asked her WHY , since I was on Levothroid 0.1 mg and sometimes 0.112 mg, she just told me that she ALWAYS started out with the lowest doses. I went through months of blood testing TSH and T4 mostly, and after too long, I was finally put on 3 grains of Armour.)
When my insurance plan made me switch doctors, I found another nurse practitioner that ALLOWED ME to stay on Armour. You should have heard her comments, though. She said that synthetics were better, etc.When I asked her why, she said that synthetics were consistent in dosage. THAT was her only reason. I begged her to let me stay on Armour so I could feel normal and keep my good mood. She agreed.
Armour is great. From time to time I find that a month's supply/BATCH varies. LAST month's batch DID. The strength seemed a bit stronger for the dosage I am used to.
My last blood test showed my T4 to be a little low, although my TSH was normal. Do NOT know why.
I want to THANK Joe Graedon and The People's Pharmacy for allowing people to post their comments. I have just re-discovered the website and am excited about its high quality info!
Posted by: Sheila Henderson | July 13, 2007 10:52 AM
I was diagnosed with a Thyroid disorder in 2002. My doctor at the time prescribe Levoxyl. After nearly two years of really still feeling bad and continued, weight gain, hair loss and general bad mood I went looking for another doctor.
I found a great doctor that listened to me about being put on Armour Thyroid. I am still trying to get my dosage right, but I experienced a significant change in everything in my life. I am three years with this same doctor and I seem to get better each time I have blood work. My only complaint is that he slow to act, but it is better than being stuck with a doctor that will not listen at all.
I have had such significant success that I convinced my Father and Mother to seek treatment from the same doctor. My Father is doing better than ever thanks to Armour and some really good old time doctoring. I want to thank my doctor for really trying to get to the root of his patients issues.
Posted by: Kathleen Seay | July 16, 2007 7:25 PM