whitekingd
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Anyone have any opinions? I've been taking Synthroid for years. I recently heard about Armour Thyroid and thought it may work better for me.
Synthroid vs. Armour Thyroid
- Thread starter whitekingd
- Start date
Help Support :
I''ve been on generic levothyroxine for years as well, never inclined to change--it's so cheap (90 day supply at Target for $20 cash) that I've never thought to change.
IDK what Armour Thyroid is, although I've seen it on the pharma price lists.
IDK what Armour Thyroid is, although I've seen it on the pharma price lists.
I've just recently been
diagnosed with thyroid deficiency, and my internist (an excellent doctor, in this case, as good as a endocrinologist) is still trying to establish the correct dosage.
I don't feel particularly good right now, and I am having more trouble than usual with sleep (which is one of the listed side effects,) but I have hopes that I will feel better once the dosage is established.
My insurance covers a thyroid from Lannett Co. Since it's generic, I don't have a co-pay! I also do not want to know how it's made.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
diagnosed with thyroid deficiency, and my internist (an excellent doctor, in this case, as good as a endocrinologist) is still trying to establish the correct dosage.
I don't feel particularly good right now, and I am having more trouble than usual with sleep (which is one of the listed side effects,) but I have hopes that I will feel better once the dosage is established.
My insurance covers a thyroid from Lannett Co. Since it's generic, I don't have a co-pay! I also do not want to know how it's made.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
ptcruiser51
Well-known member
Levoxyl here
never a problem, and also really cheap. I used to come home from work and crash in front of the TV, then get up feeling crappy. Haven't done that in years! Would be worth it at any price. Can't remember if it's 75 mg. or .75 mg., but it works.
never a problem, and also really cheap. I used to come home from work and crash in front of the TV, then get up feeling crappy. Haven't done that in years! Would be worth it at any price. Can't remember if it's 75 mg. or .75 mg., but it works.
Don't give up, just keep tinkering with the dosage and soon you'll find the right one. I've been on the same dosage for over 10 years now. My presenting symptom was throat pain (not a sore throat, but more a compressed throat). Dr. took one look at me and said "you need thyroid"....literally as fast as that! I don't remember that finding the dosage was particularly tough, either.
Thyroid has a long half-life in your body, so once you get stable you are good to go (I've been known to forget a pill for a few days when traveling, no problems).
I even pill-split for awhile (am on 250 mcg, so would before take 1 1/4 200 mcg tablets without a problem)
Barr (?) who manufactured Synthroid was indicted for suppressing evidence/medical studies that refuted that "once Synthroid...always Synthroid" myth. I got some $$ in a class action lawsuit and have become pretty militant about taking generic (the vendor/tablet format seems to change every couple of years or so) and i find nothing about it.
If the doctor writes the prescription as generic, you can get the $4 30 day supply $10 90 day supply at stores like KMart/WalMart/Costco... and never have to fuss with insurance. Once you get stable, make it easy on yourself and get the dr. to write you for the 90 or 180 day supply (at least Target does it where the 90 day supply is $10 and the 180 is $20)
Thyroid has a long half-life in your body, so once you get stable you are good to go (I've been known to forget a pill for a few days when traveling, no problems).
I even pill-split for awhile (am on 250 mcg, so would before take 1 1/4 200 mcg tablets without a problem)
Barr (?) who manufactured Synthroid was indicted for suppressing evidence/medical studies that refuted that "once Synthroid...always Synthroid" myth. I got some $$ in a class action lawsuit and have become pretty militant about taking generic (the vendor/tablet format seems to change every couple of years or so) and i find nothing about it.
If the doctor writes the prescription as generic, you can get the $4 30 day supply $10 90 day supply at stores like KMart/WalMart/Costco... and never have to fuss with insurance. Once you get stable, make it easy on yourself and get the dr. to write you for the 90 or 180 day supply (at least Target does it where the 90 day supply is $10 and the 180 is $20)
I've been taking 600mcg for years. Tried various types, real and generic never noted much difference.
whitekingd
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The difference is "Synthroid" or generic, is a synthetic form of T4. Armour Thyroid is a freeze dried pig's thyroid that contains both T4 and T3. I asked my doctor about it today, and he said there is no benefit of Armour Thyroid as opposed to synthetic thyroid medication. I asked because I was hearing on a radio talk show that some people had more success with Armour than Synthroid. But, I will trust my doctor. He took some blood work today, pointing out that Lithium (whick I am on) can inhibit the absorption of the thyroid meds. I hope the results are in my favor. Thanks to all!
Armour thyroid, since it a pure form of thyroid is purported to be more bioavailable than Synthroid, with fewer side effects. A naturopath once recommended my partner switch from Synthroid to Armour. When I asked his primary care physician about switching he said "no, quite emphatically. Stating that it was too difficult to titrate the dosage of Armour because the bioavailable amount varies so widely from batch to batch.
kqkenmore
Well-known member
Well I use the generic synthroid I get it from Target.But I have had a hell of a time with it since being diagnosed my level is good but I fell like crap I cannot get a good nights sleep and I have gained too much weight which is a side effect of Synthroid.I am going to go back on my diet pill so I can lose some weight.This time of year is hell for me because it is so hot here and I cannot take the heat anymore.I am going to a internal medicine doctor is there some one else that I should consult? Thanks for WhitekingD for posting this.
An internist
should be (but sometimes is not) perfectly capable of handling thyroid conditions. However, if you feel as though you are getting inadequate care, the logical progression would be an endocrinologist.
Endocrinologists specialize in glands like the pancreas, thyroid, adrenals.......
Lawrence/Maytagbear
should be (but sometimes is not) perfectly capable of handling thyroid conditions. However, if you feel as though you are getting inadequate care, the logical progression would be an endocrinologist.
Endocrinologists specialize in glands like the pancreas, thyroid, adrenals.......
Lawrence/Maytagbear
toggleswitch2
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So what are the various symptoms of hyper and hypo-thyroidism?
I've found...
most success staying with the same brand (levothyroxine). I feel subtle differences if the pharmacist dispenses Synthroid.
Lots of information on the net regarding using T3 along side of T4. A lot of people find a big difference with mood, energy and all those other pesky symptoms.
Guy
most success staying with the same brand (levothyroxine). I feel subtle differences if the pharmacist dispenses Synthroid.
Lots of information on the net regarding using T3 along side of T4. A lot of people find a big difference with mood, energy and all those other pesky symptoms.
Guy
whitekingd
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Hyper = Over active metabolism, lack of sleep, bug eyes, etc.
Hypo = Dry skin, oversleep, lethargy, weight gain, etc.
Hypo = Dry skin, oversleep, lethargy, weight gain, etc.
I originally was on Synthroid, prescribed by my family doctor. Soon after my diagnosis I went with my Mom to her endocrinologist, and asked what he thought about Synthriod. His words "Terrible stuff, we never use it in our office." Told me to try an experiment when we got home. Take 2 glasses of water. Drop a Synthroid in one, and a Levothroid in the other. I did it. The results - the Levothroid started to dissolve as soon as it touched the water, and the Synthroid just dropped like a stone and sat there. I left the Synthroid over night in the glass, and it was still solid in the morning. I had to grind it with a pencil to dissolve it, after 18 hours in a glass of water. I immediately had my prescription changed to Levithroid.
Things went well for about two or three years (I can't quite remember the timeline) and then I started having symptoms of low thyroid again - tired, dry skin, hair falling out. Went to the family doctor, had blood tests, he says my levels are fine, these symptoms can be caused by stress and maybe I need to see a psychiatrist. OK, time to do some research and go see an endocrinologist. My research showed that some people need some T3 along with the T4. Armour Thyroid which has both T3 and T4. That T3 can make some people feel much better. The endocrinologist looks at the blood tests and says my levels are way too low. The recommended levels have been changed and the reference levels shown on the blood test results from most labs have not. So the family doc has been basing my dosage on the reference levels (which were correct when he went to med school). I ask if Armour would work for me and he thinks so. I've been on it for four years now with great results. The only difference is I take the Armour twice a day, instead of once a day with the Levithroid.
So if you don't think you are getting the right care from a family doctor, go see an endocrinologist.
Things went well for about two or three years (I can't quite remember the timeline) and then I started having symptoms of low thyroid again - tired, dry skin, hair falling out. Went to the family doctor, had blood tests, he says my levels are fine, these symptoms can be caused by stress and maybe I need to see a psychiatrist. OK, time to do some research and go see an endocrinologist. My research showed that some people need some T3 along with the T4. Armour Thyroid which has both T3 and T4. That T3 can make some people feel much better. The endocrinologist looks at the blood tests and says my levels are way too low. The recommended levels have been changed and the reference levels shown on the blood test results from most labs have not. So the family doc has been basing my dosage on the reference levels (which were correct when he went to med school). I ask if Armour would work for me and he thinks so. I've been on it for four years now with great results. The only difference is I take the Armour twice a day, instead of once a day with the Levithroid.
So if you don't think you are getting the right care from a family doctor, go see an endocrinologist.
kqkenmore
Well-known member
phillygrl
I have an appoinment with an endocrinologist in August and I cannot wait. I have felt like crap for the past 4 years.I am going to bring up with my internal med md what reference levels that he is using and how old they are because this could be the problem all along. I so hope to feel better this is just not like me.What is levithroid and how do you get it is it the generic for synthroid or another brand.Also what do these other medications have to do with weight gain is your weight remaing stable.synthroid causes massive weight gain I have had horrible time with my weight I am so damn fat that I cannot stand it.
I have an appoinment with an endocrinologist in August and I cannot wait. I have felt like crap for the past 4 years.I am going to bring up with my internal med md what reference levels that he is using and how old they are because this could be the problem all along. I so hope to feel better this is just not like me.What is levithroid and how do you get it is it the generic for synthroid or another brand.Also what do these other medications have to do with weight gain is your weight remaing stable.synthroid causes massive weight gain I have had horrible time with my weight I am so damn fat that I cannot stand it.
Levothroid is another brand of synthetic thyroid hormone. It is made by Forest Laboratories. Most doctors prescribe Synthroid because it is the most widely advertised brand (to doctors) of thyroid hormone. My weight has been pretty stable since my levels stabilized. Just a guess, but you may feel crappy because you are not adsorbing the Synthroid. That's why my Mom's endrocrinologist never used it. If Synthroid won't dissolve in a glass of water overnight, think of how much is actually getting into you. Hope your endocrinologist can help. I was just so relieved when mine told me I was sick, not crazy. Funny thing, the same thing happened to my dear Mom too. Her doctor was giving her Synthroid, and told her all her symptoms were in her mind - go see a shrink. Mom went to a endocrinologist who was amazed she was not in a coma, that's how sick she was. He started her on Levothroid, and it was like she was a new person. God bless Dr. Dillon. Hope you are feeling better soon.
