The People's Pharmacy® with Joe and Terry Graedon

I too had my thyroid removed and began taking Synthroid. For years I felt fatigue and my doctor continued to increase the dose without success in reducing the fatigue. An article on your website alerted me to potential success adding a small dose of Cytomel. Over the years we decreased the original higher dose of Synthroid and added Cytomel twice a day. I have less episodes of fatigue.

I had iodine radiation due to a hyperactive thyroid. It took three years before a doctor finally diagnosed the condition, which almost cost me my life as every organ in my body was shutting down.

Now I have hypothyroidism and I have had nothing but problems with Synthroid since--possibly due to the fact I am drug sensitive. For six years I have endured a constant alternating of the synthroid dose; i.e., .100 to .075 to .050 to .025 to .050 to .075 to .050 to even halving a .050 two days a week. Every three months my dose would be changed. My side effects have been unbearable. I kept a record over the past two years and noticed that my T3 was always out of whack.

I dumped my endocrinologist who refused to try a natural hormone and refused to answer my questions. One statement he made to me was, "You don't need to know that." and rudely walked out of the room when I tried to talk to him further. He had no compassion for my suffering.

My family doctor finally agreed to allow me to try Armour because of my synthroid irregular dose history, and my aquired knowledge based on my research. He knows I take responsibility for my health. I have been on Armour for four weeks and already notice a major change physically and emotionally. I have energy for the first time in nine years, sleep well, no longer iritable, and even my blood pressure has come down. I realize it will be some time before I notice other changes.

Mary J. Shomon's books, "The Thyroid Diet" and "Living Well With Hypothyroidism, What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell you...That You Need to Know", have been a great help along with information you have published online.

I have similar problems with brittle, peeling nails, loss of hair and eyebrows. Now, it is affecting my skin with dryness on hands and feet. My doctor wanted me to cut back on medication, Synthroid, and I did not. Still have the problem and testing again for causes. I want to change to Armour Thyroid and need to know how to proceed. Thanks, BW

I have been on Synthroid since my thyroid was treated with radioactive iodine 10 years ago. After a period of adjustment, my TSH levels were stable and I was without symptoms until 3 years ago. My pharmacy (CVS) posted a sign advertising a new generic form of Synthroid and the pharmacist recommended a switch, saying that it was the same as Synthroid only cheaper. I switched, my levels changed and I developed a thyroid eye disease. I have since had 5 operations to correct bulging eyes and severe strabismus and will have 2 more operations to attempt to restore vison to what it used to be. As soon as I was switched back to Synthroid, my levels returned to normal but the damage to my eyes was done.

I wanted to sue, but nobody--doctors or lawyers--seems to see the connection between the switch to generic and my eye problems. Am I crazy?

I am 31 y/o and was diagnosed hypothyroid May 2006, and have since been on levoxyl 75mg. I notice since starting levoxyl to treat my hypothyroid symptoms that my once long, strong nails grow in short, weak, thin and peeling. Also I'd like to know if my nail problems are a sign that my bones are too becoming thin due to levoxyl?