It would make an incredible horror movie. The plot: stunningly convince at least hundreds of millions of individuals worldwide that what has always been obvious, isn’t. That leaves only look green because of alien filters in your eyes. That ripe apples fall because water pulls them down. That fire doesn’t really burn your skin; it’s just your imagination.
And about hundred more schizophrenic ying yangs. Because if those in authority say so, it must be so.
But the horror movie is a reality, and I see it EVERY TIME I come into contact with people and the subject of my thyroid advocacy comes up.
Like today. A couple saw my book and struck up a conversation. She was on Synthroid; he was on Levoxyl. They had each been on their T4-only treatment for 12 and 14 years respectively, felt their hypo was perfectly treated, believed their doctors…and were now dealing with other problems: his rising cholesterol, her depression, his fatigue, and her weight gain. BUT OF COURSE, THOSE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR T4-ONLY TREATED HYPOTHYROID AND SOME OF IT IS THEIR OWN FAULT…leaves aren’t really green, water makes ripe apples fall, and fire doesn’t really burn.
It just struck me. And it’s struck me before. There’s just a LOT of SILENT SUCKERS walking around. I was one; my mother was one; and there are obviously millions out there, still walking around trying to live with the side effects of a treatment that their doctors say are NOT caused by their thyroid.
Sad.
(Has your cholesterol and other lipids improved since you switched to Armour and raised without using the TSH? Your story of success is welcome on the blog post below!)
Important notes: All the information on this website is copyrighted. STTM is an information-only site based on what many patients worldwide have reported in their treatment and wisdom over the years. This is not to be taken as personal medical advice, nor to replace a relationship with your doctor. By reading this information-only website, you take full responsibility for what you choose to do with this website's information or outcomes. See the Disclaimer and Terms of Use.
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63 Responses to “The walking SILENT SUCKERS of Synthroid, Levoxyl & Levothyroxine treatment”
Corina Marches
Hello! Im 66 and have been on Synthroid for years. I have Hashimoto’s.
April this year My TSH was 0.04 and FT4 1.70. This test was done after an increase in dose from 150 mcg to 175 mcg.
Now I’m on 150 alternating every other day with 175mcgs . I feel terrible with this funny-strange-no-taste -dry feeling in my mouth…. as well as this strange-dry-ultra-smooth feeling to my fingers. Can’t loose weight in spite of exercising 45 min/day. Antidepressants don’t seem to help.
Anyway… I’ve taken antidepressants most of my life and I’m grad reducing my dose so I can get off of them as well as stopping low doses of pain medicine. I’ve read stop the thyroid madness so good to know
Also I’ve ordered 23 and me and as soon as I get results end of June… I will go to a naturopath. In the meantime I’m getting set up with a endocrinologist in Seattle who I’ve heard is more progressive. I just don’t know if I can wait to make changes. I feel like lowering the thyroid dose on my own. This is a transition and I don’t want to do things too fast.
Anyway…Has any one had the mouth taste/hand finger sensations that I described above?
Thanks Ya All!
Janie Bowthorpe
If you are describing being on T4-only like Synthroid or Levo, here’s why you are having problems: https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/t4-only-meds-dont-work
Bren
Synthroid must be a precursor for “Chemotherapy” . This drug did more havock than help for my hypothyroidism. Diagnosed In March with TSH at 6.9. Saw an Internest In June 2015 and he prescribed .025 mlg of Synthroid. By October 2015 I noticed my hair texture changing to fine and very soft. By the later part of October I was losing hair by the tons!!! On Nov. 14, 2015 I asked myself, “This is just wrong…wrong…wrong.” I stopped taking it that day and noticed an improvement within 3 days. My GP is a joke….I told him I went off of Synthroid by myself and he said that was fine??? I saw a Natropath Dr. On Nov. 19, 2015 and my TSH level shows 5.7 and continue to take thyroid support supplements, rice protein powder 2 a day, and other healthy supplements. I am not sure what other treatment can be recommended at this stage. I have given up total hope with the Medical Profession as they don’t give a damn!! My hair is very dry/brittle and I use shampoo for dry hair on it. I just hope my hair loss returns as I had beautiful thick long hair.
Anyone else with a similar story……….please share.
Bren
Janie Bowthorpe
Bren, there are probably millions who understand your angst. Many, many, many people have seen a continuation of their hypothyroidism on Synthroid. Read this: https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/t4-only-meds-dont-work
What has changed lives is this: https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/natural-thyroid-101 But you will also need to check your iron to make sure it’s not low, as that could have made the T4 convert to excess RT3, the inactive hormone. And with NDT, you will need to have optimal iron. See where we learned our labs need to be (including iron) here: https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/lab-values
Finally, check your adrenals by following the Discovery Steps here: https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/adrenal-info It’s easier to follow in Chapter 5 of the revised STTM book.
Michelle johnson
I am having hives and achyness all over. My doctor started me off on 15mg of armour. I’ve had hoshimotos disease for 6 yrs. and have been on lethothyroxin, different doses until I couldn’t take my symptoms anymore so switched to a naturopath. 1st week was good but then I was informed if I started too low it could be damaging. So I asked her if I could increase and she had to count how long id been on it, not going off my symptoms, which I was very hypo. Tired all the time depressed anxious wasn’t sleeping ect. She agreed to raise it to 30mg. I’ve been on 30mg for 4weeks and then started feeling bad, really bad and I moved to California and had to have phone appt. with her for previous lab results(hormones) asked if I could increase my armour and she said it would be dangerous and she can’t prescribe in Cali as she is only authorized to prescribe in Oregon . So I was feeling so bad, started getting hives going back to how I felt before I started on armour so I increased it to 60mg. Still having hives. My question is, how fast is too fast and what is a normal does? I was taking levothyroxin .100mcg and was feeling very hypo.
Thank you
Janie Bowthorpe
Michelle, 1/4 of a grain, which 15 mg is, is 1/4 of a starting dose, which is that 60 mg you moved up to!! Read https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/natural-thyroid-101
Margaret
I’ve been taking Synthroid for 2 years now, my Endocrinologist refused to take me off of it and kept increasing the dosage. I never before and/or after taking Synthroid gain or lose weight and was never overweight. However, the medication made me so severely sick, no energy, couldn’t eat without losing it, no energy, bad eyesight, pretty much bed ridden. Recently, started to lose so much weight that I dropped to 109 pounds and also developed vertigo. It was a hard thing to take, but my doctor finally decided to try something else when she saw me so sick. She picked a thyroid medication that was so expensive, that I demanded to try Armour. I looked on the website for Armour and found so many people who had been on Synthroid and changed to Armour. They all stated that it was an immediate relief. I was doubtful that this would be a fast reaction. However, today I took my first dose of Armour, and it is true. I feel like a different person. My question is; why do doctors insist on a horrible drug like Synthroid and won’t believe you when you are so very sick. My endocrinologist was wanting me to go to a counselor for mental problems. Thank God I finally made it happen.
Janie Bowthorpe
Good question, Margaret. All we can surmise is that 1) they have lousy training and 2) they can’t seem to fathom the latter. As far as changing to Armour, remember you need to raise it, and you need the right amount of iron and cortisol. Congrats!! https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/natural-thyroid-101
Artrisha
In 2005, after I gained 60 lbs in 4 months WHILE RUNNING 8 MILES 5 TIMES PER WEEK & wanting to tell people exactly where to go when they said hello to me I was dx hypothyroid & put on levothyroxine. Within a year I was at an endo as my #’s were not good. He dx me Hashimoto’s, changed me to Levoxyl & nothing changed. I wasted 6 years doing that & had the added gifts of going bald, bleeding out my entire volume of blood every month in agony, being able to force my eyes to stay open a whole 4 hours of each day, possibly tolerating people, now & then, my cholesterol began to rise (I had always frustrated my husband with excellent #’s no matter what I ate), along with a list of other ‘issues’. I also lost the ability/will to run. I LOVED to run. I couldn’t run & why would I even waste my time, I still got fatter. During those years my dr said, you could starve yourself & you won’t lose weight with this disease. My mother told me that was crap & I should be exercising. Oh but what I could stay awake to exercise! I fired the endo in 2012. I have begged my GP for 2 years to let me try Armour. She won’t give it to me. Finally, I felt so AWFUL & was sick of the days that I felt like I wanted to kill myself so I took myself off of my anti-depressant (it took me 3 tries during 3 years to get off without having it make me insane, so BE CAREFUL if you do that! I just couldn’t get my GP to help me). Then fall of 2012 I weaned myself from the Levoxyl. My TSH is 23.33. It’s too high, but I don’t care. I feel GOOD! I’m awake & happy! I’m still fat & bald & have no sex drive, but this is a big improvement! I hope to find a dr that will prescribe Armour someday. My roadblocks are 1. I live in rural SW Kansas, the nearest mall is 3 hours away, & 2. I have 3 children with celiac disease & severe nutrient deficiencies, food allergies & asthma (& of course, those drs are all 3+ hours away). There is no money for me to see a dr at this time. I’m just hoping maybe someday…..
Beth Holley
I have Hashimoto’s, and of course it took several endos, and one misdiagnosis, before I was diagnosed. I was started on Levoxyl, but didn’t do very well. Of course, I was also in the middle of the whole thyroid destruction phase, so Hashi attacks were common. Once I found an endo who actually correctly diagnosed me, he kept me on Levoxyl for a while, and we discussed Armour thyroid. He thought I might have a problem with the T3, but I was getting depressed in the Winter, so I was started on Armour 4 years ago. I felt that it helped, but then it went off the market. I tried Nature-throid but that became difficult to get as well, and I didn’t feel well on that either. I was then prescribed a desiccated thyroid product from a compounding pharmacy. I’ve been on this, with a steadily rising dose, for almost three years. I still get tired in the winter, and I get very anxious in the summer. We raise my levels in the Winter, but I can’t tolerate a FT3 over 280, and/or a TSH that goes below 1. I get tremendous anxiety, insomnia, and all of the other hyperthyroid symptoms. I’ve even tried taking my T3 supplement after breakfast, which is supposed to slow absorption. But, it still makes me wired. During the Summer months, we drop the dose because I get really bad hyper symptoms. I truly only get a couple of good weeks in the very early spring, and a couple of good weeks in the very early fall. We tried lowering my natural hormone, and adding some Synthroid, to balance out the T3. But, it’s not helping. I have spent the past month with totally normal numbers, and feeling so hyper that I’m not sleeping and anxiety is horrible. So, I skipped one day of my compounded hormone, and felt better by the end of the day. My natural hormone is compounded to match Armour Thyroid. I never went back to Armour because they didn’t have the dose I needed, and my endo had too many patients that had problems with the new formula. AND, being sensitive to the T3, chewing it was not an option. It would get into my system too rapidly. Anyway, after skipping a day, I took my Synthroid and desiccated hormone, and my anxiety had returned by the end of the day. Being a weekend, and having no other choice, I knew I was not going to take the natural thyroid today, so I took an equivalent dose of my Synthroid only, and I feel like my body is breathing as sigh of relief. No anxiety or jitters at all this evening. I’ll be speaking to my doctor in the morning, but I just don’t think I can tolerate a desiccated thyroid hormone product. I have tried several now, and used two different compounding pharmacies. I still spend more time feeling bad then good. The only thing it does is keep the winter depression at bay. I’m going to suggest to my doctor that I go back on Synthroid for at least the summer months, and possibly add a little T3 in when fall comes. Everybody is different. For me, I have given the pig thyroid hormone enough time. My body just can’t tolerate it.
(From Janie: Beth, you are describing what happens with NDT when someone has either non-optimal iron levels, and/or a cortisol problem. i.e. NDT reveals those! Once you correct them, you can soar on NDT! Read Chapters 5 and 6, plus the beginning of the Odds and Ends Chapter on iron)
Susan
I went on synthroid in ’96 after the birth of my daughter. I lost 30 additional (post baby weight) pounds on a year without changing a thing. Over the course of several years I had to have my med levels raised, and then went on generic Levo due to insurance reasons. In time I was able to switch to Armour Bc of all the good things I was hearing about it. I was then on Armour for about three years, and only switched back to levo Bc of problems getting it due to manufacturing issues and shortages. I never bothered going back to Armour. Honestly, I just don’t notice any difference. Seriously. I realize everyone is different. My numbers are within normal range and I get checked twice a year. Nothing is perfect, but my point is that I ‘d be lying if I said that I noticed any difference on Armour. I didn’t. That being said, I am now going through the Change and feel fat and tired often. I am a size ten. I indulge in certain foods and alcohol sometimes. I go to the gym four days a week. I cannot blame my issues on my thyroid medication. I am human and like most I like to live a little. My husband has high cholesteral, but I don’t. He isn’t hypothroid. People differ in so many ways. I support anyone’s wishes to try Armour, but a reality check on our genetically and honesty with ourselves regarding what we consume should weigh into bone’s decision.
(From Janie: Susan, there are definitely some who do better than others on Synthroid…for awhile. But the longer folks are on it, the more problems crop up, such as rising BP, rising cholesterol, depression, fatigue, weight gain, the need for naps, etc…all related to continued hypo. The body is not meant to live on storage hormone alone. And you probably didn’t do as well on Armour because you weren’t taking enough. https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/mistakes-patients-make. Hang in there.)
erica
I was misdiagnosed with every mental illness in the book, and after ten years, I finally got off of the psych meds and realized it was all just a thyroid issue. Unfortunately, at first I did not realize the sham of modern endocrinology and gullibly took Synthroid.
Well, my TSH levels may have been normal, but I was experiencing palpitations, etc. which was confusing, because this is almost a hyper thyroid symptom. I thought, well, maybe I need to lower the dose, but I was confused because my TSH was “optimal”. My own doctor then told me that some people “do better” on Levoxyl. I thought that was a little weird. How could a medication cause so many side effects in a large group (or so she made it seem like with her comment). She said that Synthroid had synthetic fillers and this is why people react poorly to it. I am doing better on Levoxyl, but think I am switching to Armour next week. I had tried it about a year ago, but I allowed a friend who told me that “natural is not better” who is a doctor convince me to get off of it. Truthfully, I had felt better on it than any other synthetic T4 only drug. It was actually the only thyroid med (the Armour) that eliminated my feeling of always being cold and allowed me to gain muscle mass.
It’s sad that we can’t trust main stream medicine, but we are lucky that people out there everywhere are waking up and sharing their experiences.
Jill Alex
Hi to all. I am new at this site but thought I would give my information. My thyroid was removed 2 years ago. I am on Levoxyl 100 grams for 6 days and 88 grams on the 7th day. It has made a big difference. I was told that if I went on dessicated thyroid I would go into a coma and from their would die. I am starting the Eric Berg diet which has been successful in the past. If you are taking too much thyroid medicine you will suppress your system and become depressed and it will affect your autoimmune system. It is almost worse than not getting enough. I wanted to go onto the natural med but I was advised against it. I want to live a long time and don’t want to take any chances. I sleep well, have healthy hair and all else is in check……except that 16 pounds I have gained.
DO NOT buy groceries that have hormones in them, dairy, meats or chicken. Turkey and pork don’t have them. These hormones cause you to gain weight. I hope this will help you. Comments are welcomed.
(From Janie: 60 years of patient experience with desiccated thyroid will tell you that you have been fed the biggest line of BULL CRAP I have ever heard. lol. https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/t4-only-meds-dont-work and https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/natural-thyroid-101)
TONYC
OMG MARCELA!!…all my friends think I am a DRUG ADDICT this past two years cause I could not get out of that bed..I could sleep 24 hours if I could..happy to hear that I AIN’T the crazy one..I am sending my frinds this link…TONY IS NOT A DRUG ADDICT..AMEN
Thanks…
Tony(NYC)
Artrisha
Yes, me too. Some days can only stay awake about 4 hours.
TONYC
I saw my GP last week and he had sent me an email previous to the visit ,saying “was I taking too much Synthroid?..like doubling my dose…first I am a Pharmacist, second, I only get 30 pills a month..stupid question..so my TSH levels were so low on a second blood test to confirm, that I have to stop now for one week & I was thinking of taking every OTHER day..THANK YOU TO GOOGLE..that’s what I typed in and I got this beautiful site!..I am jittery, so I have to pop 1/2 an Ativan,my heart is beating like I’ve just finished the MARATHON..my 2 brothers have also been on it allot longer than me.I just started about a year or so ago & it took that quack Endocrinologist FOOUR months for my levels to peak..I told my GP, this Thyroid business is NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE!!..and THAT I learned this past year!..but all this came on after Chemo in 2006..never had allergies, never had any problems like this…ok I go off med and see how I feel .GP said for one week..but when I am on it, will do every other day cause I have also lost 20 pounds..see another Endocrinologist the end of the month..:-( waste of money!
Cheers..
Tony(NYC)
sally
I would like to know if anyone has experienced costochondritis when taking naturethroid. I was switched from levoxyl 150 to 1 grain of naturethroid and started to get chest pains and palps. I never took an adrenal supplement so i quickly went back on the junk levoxyl. Now i want to go back but on the naturethroid butwas wondering if i should start supplementing with adrenal support from gia herbs and then start the one grain and work my way up. If i did not have chest pain and pl=alps then the naturethroid would work. Please help asap thanks…
(From Janie: the first thing anyone needs to do before getting on ANY adrenal support is the 24 hour adrenal saliva test, and not a one time blood test. The 4 times a days saliva test. Then, if the results prove low cortisol, it’s cortisol you’ll need to tolerate Naturethroid. Herbs just don’t cut it at the beginning of treatment. Use these groups for further feedback: https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/talk-to-others and especially NTH Adrenals. Also check your ferritin. )
Maggie
Hi,
Does anybody know if Armour or the equivalent can be purchased over the counter in Spain?
Maggie
Marcela
I have been taking levoxyl 100 mcg for 4 weeks and it was increased from 50 mcg to 75 mcg for 2 weeks and then 100 mcg.All this after I finally referred myself to the endo b/c my GP wouldn’t allow it. I am seeing my endo this week and getting lab work before the appointment. I have been suffering for a year. I started noticing something was wrong last year when working on my thesis for grad school. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and not the autoimmune kind in June of 2007. I was prescribed only 25 mcg and then in January 08 it was increased to 50 mcg and 15 mcg of t3 twice a week. In March 2009, I developed a slight temperature and I went to the doctor to have my symptoms ignored. The doctor told it was a sinus infection and to stop taking my temperature. I spent the summer sleeping 12 hours a day and not doing much except read and try, to no avail, to write my thesis. It was awful by September 2009,I had a fever again. I dragged myself to the doctor and begged for testing. My TSH was 0.4 and I was told I had a hyperthyroidism stage because of too much hormone. I believe now after being diagnosed with hashimoto (just like my mother) that I had to periods of hashitoxicosis. The last time it was awful it lasted 10 weeks. The doctor removed my T3 and I had a sharp increase of prolactin and now I no longer have periods, I am 40 yrs old. I couldn’t do anything, specially for school. I gained weight, had extreme fatigue coupled with a temperature of 99.5 on good days and was told again the temperature was not fever and it would go away and to stop taking it. There was no mention of hashi or any testing to determine this or a follow up. I ended up going on a major hypo stage and when I saw my endo he said my t4 and t3 were really low. He suspects I may need t3 supplementation. He does not want me to go on natural hormones. He thinks I originally had a worse reaction due to the natural T3 I was taking. I am not so sure. I felt great with the t4/t3 combo for a while before and I don’t feel that way now. I feel somewhat better,but I am losing hair, I am constipated and bloated, I have muscle aches, my neck is stiff, I have tightness in the chest and I am fatigued (intermittent). Also my period is not back and my breast are swollen again. I noticed that my cholesterol went up from the 140’s to 190 since I stopped taking T3. I don’t believe my endo likes natural hormone therapy, but if nothing changes next week, I need to find another doctor. Does anyone know a doctor in North Carolina triangle area who would prescribe natural hormones like armour or the other brands.
Karen
I have been on 100mg synthroid for 12 months. I am 36 years old and have been active my whole life. In 2008 I gained 15 lbs in 4 months and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Without medication, I lost 7 lbs through a strict exercise routine in 5 weeks. I was prescribed synthroid and gained all 7 lbs back and haven’t been able to lose the weight at all. I truly believe this medication causes weight gain. The doctor said there are “no side effects of synthroid”. Are you kidding me? This is an awful drug and causes severe water retention in the abdomen. I stopped taking this medication today, as I have an appointment with a new doctor in two months. Nothing is worth bloating and depression which is caused by a medication!
Danelle
I have Hypothroidism, and I have already been to about 5 doctors! I am only 22, and in the past year I have gained over 100 pounds! I hate myself, and my Husband is having a hard time. My kids who are 18 months and 4 years old, can tell that I am having problems with depression. I want my old life back! I want my kids to see that I really do love them and being around them. I am going to search for a doctor that will give me Armour! I am going to get my family back! Thank you all!!
Matt
Be careful people. I don’t have all the answers. I’ve read all the books, no one has all the answers. The patterns, the dosages, the different meds, its still a mystery. I’ve been on Synthroid for years, have always had a TSH around 5. I’ve felt normal except had trouble losing weight (I’m very active and try to eat according to the Zone diet). I tried switching to Armour and it didn’t make me feel much different. But right after starting it, my thyroid started getting nodules and started feeling uncomfortable. I’m back on Synthroid, my thyroid finally stopped hurting after 3 months. I encourage everyone to try whatever they think is best. Find a physician that is willing to work with you. Most endocrinologists are a complete waste of your time. If you find a good one, excellent stick with them. Also get your levels checked often (every couple months) and keep a record for yourself of every test, test result, med level and how you feel. You may be able to spot patterns of figure out where you feel best.
(From Janie: Hi Matt. There are definitely some who do better than others on T4. You could be one. But your weight issue is from being on T4, and if you don’t already have other issues not yet noticed, they’ll creep up on you. Perhaps your experience with Armour has an answer here: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/mistakes-patients-make Also, if you tried the newly formulated Armour, that was causing most people problems.)
Joyce
I’ve also put on 28 pounds of weight before being diagnosed as hypothyroid. Never had a weight problem in my life before. After 5 years on levothyroxine and currently taking 200mg per day my doctor has finally listened to my concerns over my weight and prescribed orlistat (zenical). I am hopeful that this will do the trick and apart from my lack of sex drive and excess weight I have felt well on thyroxine but did find the comments about Armour interesting. Not sure if this can be prescribed here in the UK though.
From Janie: Joyce, for thought, understand that having weight gain (common with being on T4) and a lack of sex drive (common being on T4) does not equate to doing well on T4, even if you feel well. There are going to be more problems crop up, as well. Yes, you can get desiccated thyroid prescribed in the UK. It’s just a bit harder. If you want to pursue this further, use this page: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/talk-to-others)
Raven
I highly recommend Dr. Philip Zbylot in Austin, Texas. He is very knowledgeable about thyroid disorders. His website is http://www.doctorzmd.com. I hope this helps! I, too, have had a nightmare experience with Synthroid. I’ve gained almost 60 pounds in the last four years since I had my thyroid removed. I never had a weight problem before. Sigh. I’ve had great results with Armour, but no longer take it because it’s not strong enough. I recently switched to Naturthroid. I feel much better already. FYI – you can get the medication much cheaper at http://www.womensinternationalpharmacy.com. Hope this helps!
Jill
Hi there,
I’m confused. The last time I had my blood drawn, my T3 and T4 levels came back fine. But my T4 uptake was high, which my doctor believed was an indicator that I had plenty of T4 and was converted it to T3 well enough. My problem might be an absorption problem he thought. In ansy case, he didn’t think Amour was a good option for me, since I am converting to T3 just fine. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
MISHA
I am 26 yr old female, had a partial thyroidectomy (50%) and was put on 0.50 mcg synthroid. I gained 10 Kgs in a year!!! Painful gas, feel horrible, my clothes don’t fit. I am over 75kgs and very distressed!!! When I don’t take the medicine, I tend to deflate. when I get my periods I also tend to deflate! I feel heavy and ugly and I cant wear anything.
Wolffie57
I just recently found out that I have an underactive thyroid. wondered why I gained so much weight and was always depressed and going thru menopause like a bad nightmare. WOW I am not dealing with this very good. so I have done alot of research and I am treating myself with all natural vitamins !!! So far I am getting some relief BUT not enough yet. so i am in the process of trying some other vitamins, and hopefully this will help. Time will tell.
wildbill562
I had been on Synthroid for 2-3 years and felt increasingly fatigued and overweight. Then I signed up for Dr. Brownstein’s newsletter http://www.drbrownstein.com and he sent me 3 books as part of the deal. One of them was Overcoming Thyroid Disorders. It was a revelation. Here is current promo: http://w3.newsmax.com/newsletters/brownstein/thyroid2.cfm?s=al&promo_code=7A93-1
That’s when the war began with my VA doctor. She sent me to Bay Pines VA Hospital to talk to the endocrinologist. He laughed at me for wanting to “take a giant step backwards in time” and try Armour thyroid. So I searched online for a holistic doctor in Palm Harbor, FL and found Dr. Edward Pearson. The first time I met him and related my story, he wrote me a scrip for Armour thyroid – no problem. He also recommended the 6 week detox program, which I did starting 12/22/08. I lost 22 lbs and feel better. I just joined Snap Fitness and will begin working with a personal trainer on Friday. Good luck to every one in your struggle to find proper medical and nutritional care.
Chopsy
Hi
I have an appt. with my doc here in the UK who wants to berate me about my cholesterol levels again. I have point blank refused to take statins (google The Great Cholesterol con if you want to know why). I am on 175mcg a day of levothyroxine and I KNOW the 20lbs I have put on in the two years I have been taking it are down to the medication – although my endo doesn’t agree with me and thinks I need anti-depressants.
So, I am about to have another pointless conversation where I try and explain that, whether my blood tests suggested I am on ‘adequate replacement’ or not, I believe my cholesterol is still high because I am on the wrong medication.
I have taken reams of evidence to my doc and Endo regarding T3 and Armor but nobody will listen. Can anyone recommend a private GP in the southwest of England?
Gina
I re-read my previous reply and noticed I said that my T3 of 345 had gone down to 294 as of 10/09… I of course was referring to my cholesterol not my T3 which has gone from 94.9 to 192 in 8 months.
Gina
Well, my doctor reluctantly prescribed Armour for me I think in April of 08. My TSH then was 3.43, T4 5.5 and T3 94.9 As of 12/10/08 it is now TSH 1.44 T4 5.1 and T3 a whopping 192.
I was told by a pharmacist that I was doing a lot of things wrong. First I was taking it on an empty stomach but I then would drink barley and beet juice, followed by fruit. He said not to eat for at least an hour after taking the Armour. Also that cruciferous veggies blocked the Armour. I had been eating spinach with every meal and taking kelp also. So since 12/10 have been doing as he said. I then heard from my doctor that she wants me to come off Armour and to take the dreaded Synthroid!! She had me tested again and as soon as I get the results I’ll post them here. I found online, conflicting advice. One idea is to take a little T4 with my Armour, the other to stop the Armour right away! I’m so confused! I live near Mexico and could try to get it there w/o a prescription. Who can I turn to medically here in Yuma AZ? I know now that my T3 of 345 had gone down to 294 as of 10/09. I also have high Cholesterol,(with Armour has now lowered from 345 to 294.) osteopaenia, and Arrythmia, all of which can be attributed to my low thyroid. Why did my doctor not figure that out? She wanted me on Fosamex and Lipitor instead. I refused. So now I want my thyroid corrected to help with all those issues!
debra
Yes, Karen – we are real people with thryoid disease that have learned the only way to treat it is through symptoms. For over 10 years I had no quality in my life while being treated with Synthroid. I went from doc to doc trying to find an answer. I finally found a doc that recommended Armour and it changed my life. I felt 20 years younger; I could focus, I regained a reasonable weight, I have energy, my hair stopped falling out, I was finally warm again and the life came back into my being. I since have had to switch to another doc when mine left the area, and I told him that I could only take Armour and he works with me to self-regulate based on symptoms. I am “low” according to the lab tests, but I feel great and have been statically low for years, even before the test levels were re-evaulated and lowered a few years ago. Please trust me when I tell you that the best way to treat hypothyroidism is by symptoms, not lab tests. You have to be willing to listen to your body, record how you feel, and take an active part in your health. Sometimes it seems like a tough row to hoe, but believe me, it is worth it to feel like yourself again instead of a shell of who you used to be!
Amy Hobitz
I know this was posted a while ago, but for the lady that asked what natural thyroid is called in Germany, one brand is called Thyreogland.
I just started my first dose of it today, after levothyroxine has made me feel like I would rather die than live on!
Thyreogland is hard to find, however a pharmacy in Munchen (Munich) sells it, Kloesterl Apoteke, Waltherstrasse, 80337 Muenchen. Phone: 089 54343211. I hope it’s okay to put their info here!!
Good luck!!
Angie
My doc does prescribe Armour, although he says only a handful of his patients take it. I have Hashimoto, and was hoping to “fix” myself through Chinese Medicine practitioner. I feel like crap, and don’t know how much longer I can hold out from taking the prescriptions. My doctor is Mark Stesin in Minneapolis, Minnesota. If that helps anyone.
Kathie Wind
I had a thyroidectomy in January 2007. Was told I had cancer, but did not. Been taking Levothyroine ever since. I also took Cytomel for a while. I have gained nearly 40 pounds, am tired all the time and ache all over and am depressed. Also I developed high blood pressure and am taking medication for this. I was really glad to find this website. I will be asking my Dr. about amour.
Angela
I was put on levothyroxine about 11 months ago. I have told my doc I feel worse than when I started. I also had a blood pressure reading ogf 102 over 68 before I started and It is now 135 over 95. My doc will not prescribe armour, I’m afraid it is the levothyroxine causing this rise in blood pressure infact I’m sure it is. I have always had low or normal low bp until now. I have Hashimotos.
Karen
Are these posts really true? I get to reading these posts only to doubt they are from REAL people.
I want to post with some questions, but afraid to.
Artrisha
It’s 5 years later (2013), but I KNOW they are true, because they are exactly my problems. Weight, hair loss, depression, rage, cholesterol profuse menstrual periods & others.
Helen
I promised God I would tell everyone loud and long if I found somehting to help with hair loss. I am 50+ and have been steadily losing hair for 10 years. What a conicidence! I have been taking levothyrine for most of that time, synthroid just prior to that!
I am nearly 50 lbs overweight and have extremely thin hair!
I have worked all summer outside. Sweating like crazy and lost 4 lbs!!
Sooo….. when I had to have blood work done for a life insurance policy I apologized about the weight. The girl doing the check asked if I was on any thyroid? I told her I had been on Levy. for years. She was the one that broke it to me about the Armour, she used it and was happy with it AND was SKINNY! I called my Dr. and told him I wanted to try the Armour. I got the nurse and she wanted to know why I wanted to change??? I told her I was not losing any weight and was tired of having no hair!
So.. I have been on Armour for nearly 1 week. I don’t feel a whole lot different, but after reading this site I am more than a little excited!
THANKS to all for these posts! I am hoping for great results and will post some soon I hope!
HK
Lucero
I have just found a doctor in my area that prescibes Armour and I hope to get an appointment soon. Have been on synthroid for 21 months now and 22 pounds heavier since I started. I have NEVER been overweight in my entire life. Yes, I consider this overweight as I am only 5’4, so three pounds of weight gain can be drastic. I am so sad my doctor wrote write it for me. And, Carol the “balloon around the middle” I’m right there with you. So awful, why don’t they believe us patients?
Carol diamond
Was on Armour many years, with a minimal 0.1 TSH. Dr. claims it will damage my heart and bones to be so HYPER. Well, if this is hyper, I hate to see what hypo feels like. Said I would give T4 a try. OOPS. What is this balloon doing around my middle? Why does my hip hurt so much? Next visit will ask for a combo-I need T3. Oh, did I mention my cholesterol went from 225 to 295?
marydobek
i hope armour works ..imsick of being tired dizzy and lightheaded
Diana Cary
I am on Synthroid. I have fought and fought with my doctor concerning my thyroid condition. I am
going to “introduce” Armour to her and insist that she place me on it. If she doesn’t I will get another doctor. I have been on Synthroid since I was a teenager, now I am 62. I lose weight only if I eat NOTHING. But that is not healthy either. My cholesterol has been diagnosed as high and now I am on medicine for that. I am going to win this battle!
Laurie
When I was 15 most of my thyroid was removed because of Graves’ Disease. Ever since then (I’m 51), I’ve been on a gradually increasing daily dose of Synthroid (200 mcg now). I’m 5’5″ and 260 lbs, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and thinning hair. I had heard about natural thyroid hormone a couple of years ago and asked my doctor but she said all the negative stuff you mentioned and wouldn’t prescribe it.
I need to find actual scientific studies showing all the wonderful results mentioned anecdotally here, so that I can march back in to my doctor’s office and demand a prescription for a natural thyroid hormone. After reading all this, I’m feeling a lot more determined to go find those studies!
Michele Mallet
Is there a way that I can post/share this to my Facebook Profile? Do you have a facebook group on Stopping The Thyroid Maddness? Thanks, Michele Mallet from Miami Taking Synthriod since I was 2 years old….So that’s would be 33 years…just recently switched to Armour Thyroid.
(From Janie: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=35794027415)
Nikki
Janie
I am developing a movement on another forum informing people of Armour. Unfortunately for me I had found out about Armour on my own and suffered nearly 5 yrs on T4 meds. I researched the heck out of hypothyroidism and one day banged into Armour not knowing another med even exsisted.
That stated my personal battle trying to get a doctor to Rx it to me.
Almost a year after finally getting on Armour I feel great. Bloating issues stopped – minimal anxiety – energy returning etc. Working on the nasty 20lbs I gained when told by the doc I was lazy! Then I found your site. Nice to have the reassurance that I made the right decision to switch meds.
I am however finding that the dosages are getting more difficut to get from the pharmacy. I think there needs to be a movement on thyroid forums to get this resolved with Forest Pharmacuticals and stop Abbott labs from their destruction of getting Forest to supply the meds. I need your help and advice on how we can team up together and stop this war on Armour. It saves lives – it’s the right med and hypothyroid patients deserve to lead normal lives too! We have enough to battle when we are hit with thyroid disease – we shouldn’t have to fight for our medication too!
Slowly I am moving this other forum into the understanding that they do not have to live sick just because their thyroids don’t work. It’s been great for me when people contact me and say I’ve saved there lives. Somehow we Leaders – need to team together to keep this med an option to treat!
Sherita
Where are you now? Where did all of these people go since 2008. I need updates and help. I stated my battle last year and this is exactly what I am going through.
Janie Bowthorpe
This 2008 post has an update, coincidentally: https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/2017/02/14/gaslighted/
gwen
I am 51 years old. Up until a hysterectomy 5 years ago, I was active, peanut size, and in good health. Now, I have 3 nodules, with neck ache, shoulder ache, mild depression, no energy, hair falling out, gained 20 pounds so far. 4 months ago, my gyno put me on levothyroxine, said i would loose weight, feel like a new woman – B.S. Not happenin. In fact, I feel worse, have gained more weight. Am struggling to get through the day, and feel as though I have the flu. I go back to my gyno next week, for which I will start the long and exhausting process of trying to get a doctor on my insurance to prescribe a natural thyroid med. This is insane. Am not going to end up a soldier for the drug industry. Got to get some help or old age is not lookin’ too hot!
cheryl
Does anyone know what these natural drugs are called here in Germany? Thanks!
Judy
I had been doing so well on the Armour. then in April the pharmicist started giving me Thyroid USP.
He said he cannot get Armour. I have gone to 4 different pharmacies trying to find our what is happening and no one knows anything. I have even written to the company and not a word. anyone out there hear anything?
Kathryn Galliers
Hi this a first time for me. After being diagnosed with hpothyroidism I then changed to hperthyroidism and was told this was impossible however after a few yrs being treated for the over- active thyroid. I had radioactive iodine treatment twice. This then made my thyroid underactive again. I have had this condition now for almost 20 yrs I am currently 42. I have just recently found out that the shoulder problem I have is due to the thyroid problem. It was only as my husband was talking to a colleague in work that I became aware of the natural forms of medication and have to say I was a bit skeptical about this. However having spent almost 4 hrs this evening looking at different sites I have decided to see my doctor. I am fed up of the weight as I feel this is killing me. I have tried all ways to loose weight being told by past doctors I need to eat less and exercise more. I have not got a big appetite and never have. Although I went from 7 and half stone to ten stone at the beginning of the condition in the last 6 yrs my weight has increased to over 13 stone. I am only 5 feet tall and find it really depressing. After seeing this site and the comments I know feel hopeful that my problem can be sorted. Providing my doctor is sympathetic to my cause and is open minded about alternative treatment. Fingers cross.
Kathryn
After 18 months on Eltroxin – T4 only treatment my improved health started to nosedive. i began to feel cold again, feel tired, get heavy colds that went on for weeks and gain weight. I then also began to have pain in my arms and legs which has been diagniosed as Fibromyalgia.I have been asking for natural thyroid or at least a T4/3 combination for at least 3 years but keep being told that isn’t available in Thailand where I live. This last week I received your book “Stop the Thyroid Madness”. You can imagine my surprise when I found the name of the manufacturers of Natural Thyroid here!! So I contacted them and have been able to purchase a supply- my doctor finally agreed.Now I am going to write to a number of drs here till I find one who is more interested in learning with me about how to treatr my condition best. At the moment my cholesterol is high – about 240 so we shall see how that changes!
Lynn Cruse
I had my thyroid removed due to graves disease in May ’08. My doctor told me everything was normal at my first post surgery visit and my extra weight and depression would just fall away.
Needless to say, within 2 months I was practically suicidal and starving myself in order to die fat and tired. Also, no one mentioned this would kill my sex life.
I’m really lost right now.
Margretto
Michelle,
It may be the fillers in the Armour that you are allergic to. I used to take armour but I switched to Naturthroid. It is the same drug with different fillers. I switched from armour because of the fillers, i.e. msg hidden in it. I wish you the best.
Laura
My elevated cholesterol had not responded to extreme changes in diet. Last May, after 5 years on a vegan oil-free diet, my cholesterol was 205. This May, after a year on Armour, it was 137. Thank you, Janie!
Jeanne Hixon
I personally know some people on synthetic thyroid meds. They are post menopausal—and have trouble with obesity, hair loss, energy levels, etc. One is a relative, and swears by her doctor—after all—in her mind, doctors are several notches above the pope on the infallibility scale!
It’s too bad. I want to say to the one lady where I used to work—you’re bald and fat and your thyroid meds make you “feel great”–huh?!?
It’s sad.
Anna
I am so glad that I found this website! I have been on levothyroxine for 13years. I went to my Dr. about 5 months ago. Again asking to be put on Amour. He stated no and if my lab came back normal he would increase my anti-depressant! Well, my lab was sent to me. The Dr. wote on it “All within NORMAL Limits”. I never heard from the Drs office. I have to say that at that point I change Drs. Now on Amour, I have lots of energy, cholesterol not 273 but 184 now!Lost 14 pounds in one month. I found a Dr. that listens to me and not my lab. For everyone out there. KEEP SEARCHING FOR THE DR. THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU! I only went thru about 14 of them in the 13 year of hyporthyroid before I found the right one.
GO ARMOUR!
aprillv68
After nearly 2 years now of being on Armour, my cholesterol is 134 (from being 150-192 range) my triglycerides are 63 (from 169)and my TSH is quite supressed at 0.01.
lanette
I have been on levothyroxine for 3 years. Every year I would tell docs I wanted off and was gaining weight. They told me I had to be on it for life and it does not cause weight gain. This last time I took in some printed material I found on the web. They looked back in my records and found out I was never supposed to be put on the stuff to start with. Now what……I quit taking it yesterday and will go see a specialist I guess
Darla
My cholesterol went up to 245 and stayed there the entire 20 awful years I took Synthroid. After 6 months of Armour my cholesterol was 194. The doc said my good cholesterol was exceptional.
David J Michael
I’ve been over being a sucker for a long time now, but I’ll be damned if I can find an MD who’ll prescribe Armour or even Cytomel for me. The majority of the time when I visit a new doctor, I have to wait for two or three drug co. reps to see the doc before I can. I still go in to see him/her, but I already know what the response will be. I am beyond frustrated, I am really pissed off!
Michelle
I have to totally agree with you about Synthroid. I had a thyroidectomy in Dec. of 07 and have dizziness, major body aches and pains, rapid heartbeat, stomach pain. I have told my doctors all along that it’s this medication but they will not listen. So I am trying a little experiment on myself. I take my Synthroid every other day this past week. On the days I don’t take it I feel great! On the days that I do I get all the symptoms back again. I did convince my doctor several months back to put me on Armour but I must be allergic to it as my tongue swelled twice it’s normal size.. So now I wonder what I should do?? I have bookmarked your site as we have a bulletin board full of people suffering with the same symptoms.. Thanks! Even if I cannot take Armour, I hope I can help others who can.