I've seen my Endo today - he was dead set against Dessicated thyroid of course. However I'm still taking it under the advisement of my GP.
Not sure what to expect - no changes noted (too early to tell so far).

Sarah it would seem from some of your past blogs that your improvements where quite drastic and sudden.

TT

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Hi TT -

My Brain Fog elimination was very sudden, literally the first day after the first pill. My energy picked up quite quickly also. Which is not to say I went out and ran a marathon on Day One, but in only the first couple of days I was able to get through the day at work without dreaming of going home/lying down, and actually get to the gym and work out a bit.
That said, other improvements have been slow - but noticeable and steady....resting pulse down, BP down, sleep improving (not every night but most), hair much, much better. And I am FINALLY down 3 pounds. Not much but at least in the right direction.

I also notice other stuff, like, I get done with tennis and errands and whatnot on Saturday, usually I am wiped out with exhaustion, now I'm driving home and wondering if I should go back out for a bike ride...it throws off my schdule because it has been so long since i had the extra energy to do those things. I'm used to just getting home and crashing. No more.

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...somehow your last comment on the Armour post got eaten while I was moving things around! :-(

I expect there will be a few "growing pains" while everyone gets used to the new site, but hopefully not too many. And I think it will be a lot easier for new members to find information once things get sorted out!

So ... back on topic ;-) ... When I switched to Armour, I also noticed that my "brain fog" got better almost immediately. In my case though, I also noticed that some of my aches and pains came back, until I switched to a higher dose. So, there's a whole new "adjustment period" to go through before you find exactly what dose is best for you.

These days, my aches are gone again, the brain fog is rare instead of constant, and I also notice a lot more energy than I ever used to have.

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This past Saturday was exactly three weeks since I started taking Armour; I had not been taking other thyroid medications previously. Given my limited experience with hypothyroidism, (or at least treated hypothyroidism) I may not be particularily helpful. My symptoms have been fairly sporadic since starting the Armour.

Within three days I actually sat down after a full day of work and read an entire magazine cover to cover. Something I had not been able to do for a few years. It was either an especially interesting issue or the meds had kicked in. Hard to say for sure. Several days went by without any noticable change in energy or feelings. Finally after exactly two weeks on the Armour I felt GOOD. Even one of my clients said I looked and seemed different. That day I went home and vacuumed and shampooed the carpeting, did a bunch of laundry and other stuff that escapes me at the moment (brain fog?).

Then that was it. I spent the next several days feeling almost drugged, spending July 4th half asleep most of the day. Three weeks to the day I started the initial dose of 1 grain, my doctor put me on 11/2 grains, which I started this past Saturday. And on Sunday I took a three hour nap, which I never do. However, given these ridiculous temps, I think I was just really hot. I have central air, but when it's 100, it's not much help. I should move to Alaska!

My severe edema seems somewhat controlled for the time being.

This has been my experience thus far. My next appointment is in 15 days, so hopefully the doctor will raise the dose to 2 grains. I'm very lucky. I live in Chicago and had many Top Thyroid doctors from which to choose. The one I selected couldn't care less about lab tests--only symptoms, and results. In fact, it was kind of funny. The last time I saw him I told him about reading an entire magazine and he was all excited and thought maybe he'd try some Armour too!! I don't think he's hypothyroid--he must be hyperactive what is it called? ADHD?!! He is soooo hyper. He's practically bouncing off the walls.

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Until the past week (when it rained almost non-stop), it's been in the 80s here in Alaska. Better than 100, for sure, but not cold by any means. ;-)

That's great that your doc is willing to prescribe by symptom, Lori! I don't see why more doctors don't work that way with hypothyroidism ... it's not like the medication is really dangerous by itself, and it's pretty easy to recognize hyperthyroid symptoms when they start, so it's really low-risk and seems like it would lead to much better results for most patients!

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When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember: Fire departments generally use water!

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Sh;? happens as they say. It's funny because that was the second time I had to type that blog. The first time I lost it myself. I'll give it a third shot.

No apologies necessary Mivox - you're doing good work here :)

TT

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Sarah

Thanks for your response. I can only hope that I can experience the same kind of miraculous turnaround that you've had. Major hurdles which I have yet to overcome are energy, endurance and memory. My blood pressure (as was yours) has been on the high side for some time. I recall when it was 120/70 a while back when I was taking Synthroid along with Cytomel. No amount of exercising will bring it down. Do you recall how long it took for your BP to fall?

When you made your transition from Synthroid to Armour how did you determine the proper dosage - trial and error or otherwise?

TT

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When transitioning, I first cut my Syntrhoid in half, from 150mcg to 75mcg, and added 1/4 gr Armour twice a day. This made such a remarkeable difference that I asked to go on Armour completely, was refused, changed docs, and then she put me off Synthroid altogether and onto 1 gr Armour twice a day. After 2 weks of feeling much better I've had a week or so of mild sluggishness, nothing compared to what it was though. So I expect I will up the dosage at next visit. Also - down another 1/2 lb today! :-D

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And the Blood Pressure?

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Hi. I have severe hypoglycemia, which my Dr. believes may be a result of my hypothyroidism. I have been on Armor for almost three weeks, and have noticed improvement in my energy levels, but I am still having major blood sugar issues, depsite following my hypoglycemic diet.

Does anyone have any insight into whether or not Armor can help correct this, and how long it will take? Thanks!

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I remember once, probably 6 months or more before my diagnosis, I checked my BP at one of those drug store "check your own" machines, and it was in the "dangerously high" zone ... It kind of freaked me out, but when I went in to the clinic back in September (when the hypothyroidism was finally discovered), there wasn't a problem with my blood pressure, and I haven't had a problem since then.

Apparently my heart rate and blood pressure are about ideal now.

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When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember: Fire departments generally use water!

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Hmmm - I commented about BP a day or so ago and now it appears to have been swallowed...mivox, help!
Anyway re BP - mine had always been low as I am a gym rat/bike rider, around 115/75. Afer thyroidectomy/during Synthroid it was climbing steadily, particularly diastolic (classic hypo from stiffened arteries and part of why hypo and heart disease are linked), maybe 120/85-95. Even a 5 pt jump is significant clinically. Within a week or so of starting Armour it began coming down slowly. Now back 115/75 or so again, sometimes lower. Recently 112/69, pulse 70. Resting pulse I hope to get back down around 60. But all moving in the right direction finally.

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Hi Sarah;

Thanks for the detailed history on your BP (P.S. I’ve lost comments too – I think I’ll start to copy and paste recent blogs just in case). My BP is higher than yours was as I’ve mentioned before and exercise didn’t help. I might have gotten it to go a bit lower by taking some Omega 3 fish Oil. I’ve just started on Dess. Thyroid and high BP was one of my motivators among other things – we’ll see what happens. It’s definitely bothersome for someone whos health conscious and in good general shape. Both my systolic and diastolic are elevated.

This morning it seems like my joints are feeling particularly better than I’ve noticed before however it’s way too early to draw any conclusions as of yet TBD.

TT

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My brain fog was gone after first dose and returned only once, when I'd taken lots of Calcium before bed. Then I felt generally as if mental spaces I'd forgotten about were open and illumiated again, sort of a return of the transcendent function. Within the first two days I had 300% more physical energy though sometimes got out of breath (later learned of low iron) and BP was quite elevated. Headaches went from twice weekly to twice monthly. Doc. kept me on initial low dose for six weeks and symptoms crept back in beginning week 4. Just got an increase and look forward to a new level of improvements.

http://web.mac.com/organicbooks

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Hey Ariadne;

You may already know this but calcium and thyroid hormone shouldn't be taken together - however with the halflife being 7 days - the one time shouldn't have made any difference.

Your brain fog was gone after the first dose of dessicated thyroid I assume. Were you on another type of thyroid medication previously? What was your blood pressure when it was high - do you recall and how long before it returned to normal?

TT

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Hi TT,

I know about Calicum. It was ten hours since my last dose of Synthroid (half of a 25mg) and I had to take it sometime. I'd been on medication for only two days and did not yet have T4 reserves built-up.

Yes, brain fog was gone and never returned after first dose of Armour. I used generic Synthroid for one or two weeks prior to that. I've only just increased from a low initial dose so it's hard to speak about BP. It's been stable for the past two or three weeks and hasn't jumped after one day on a significant increase. I actually think that iron supplementation is affecting BP and HR more than Armour, in my case. And when it rose on Armour I believe it was because my iron was so low. If you've not had Ferritin checked I strongly recommend doing so, particularly if hair loss and dry skin are symptoms. Mine was 22 and it will likely take months of 100mgs. of iron daily to get it up to 70-90, where it should be for optimal Armour functioning. Hope this helps.

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Oddly, I noticed some return of my aching joints when I first started Armour ... but it went away when I upped my dose, so I think it wasn't about the Armour so much as starting with a lower dose than I needed.

I haven't had back aches in months, which is wonderful ... although lately I've been waking up with stiff ankles, of all things! No idea why.

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When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember: Fire departments generally use water!

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[moved discussion here: http://thyroidstory.mivox.com/forum_topic/technical_support/disappearing_posts ]

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Discussion moved to new thread here:
http://thyroidstory.mivox.com/forum_topic/hypothyroid_medications/armour_resting_heart_rate_ferritin_from_cc

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around 3 weeks I noticed it was easier to take a couple of pounds off, and the swelling in my ankels eased up ALOT!

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After major discussions with a Endrocon. I took an article on the Armour/Syntroid debate to him-he said "that's hog-wash" you don't need the Armour-a few months later I found an alternative medicine person who claims Armour is all she prescribes---I asked her to put me on Armour, after hearing others talk about it..I always had swelling in the ankels since i was diagnosed with Hypo- and had gained 30 lbs and to no avail could I take it off with Syntroid...after starting Armour the swelling in my ankels had subsided ALOT...and I've been able to take off almost 8 lbs now-I so want to write the Endro. who said it's "Hog-Wash" and inform him of my progress!

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Congratulations, 'guest', on being stubborn enough to find someone to prescribe Armour! ;-) A lot of people feel like their endocrinologist must be the big expert, because they *are* specialists, after all. But really, how great can any doctor be, regardless of their specialty, if they're not willing to do what it takes to make sure their patients feel as good as they possibly can?

If I were you, I'd want to write the endo too! ;-) Not that it would necessarily change his/her mind, but it'd be nice to at least feel like you'd had your say. :-)
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How to Use the New ThyroidStory Site (Where & How to Post)
Technical Help For the New Site (Please post your questions!)

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I recently tried synthroid for my hypo condition. I had horrendus heart palpatations/chest tension to the point i thought I was dying. I threw that shit in the trash and it took 7 days for my heart to go back to normal. not frickin' cool. My nurse said "it's ok, thats normal" NORMAL!!!!!!! I had to get $800 worth of heart work(scanning,stress test etc.) to see what was so normal about feling like I was having a heart attack. My t3 level must have shot through the roof even though I was taking half of the smallest dose possible.
I have been on Armour for 3 days now and I do get a flutter here and there but nothing like with the synthroid. I am starting to have a bit more energy, my mood is improving and my basil body temp is rising. I guess that means my metabolism is heating up. It reminds me of that song by the police called "Invisible sun"
"There has to be an invisible sun, shines its heat on everyone."
Anyway I am having luck with it(ARMOUR). These doctors need to be schooled by us!!!!!!! The pharmacudical companies are giving them kickbacks to be loyal to a product. Synthroid is largley problematic and they hasn't been tested on people for an extended legnth of time.
ARMOUR has been approved by the FDA since the 1800's, and it has worked all this time! It is natural and easy for the body to assimalate. I had to be very blunt and on the verge of blowing up in order to get the proper meds from my doc. let's fix this problem properly. Well it is working!

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i am now on armour and feel fantastic better than thyroxine

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is the generic bran the same as the bran ?
i am on the generic right now and it is my first day taking armour...as generic and i dont feel any changes so far...so i dont know what to expect so far...

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I didn't know anyone made generic Armour ... I know there are one or two other companies making dessicated thyroid products, but they're not "generic" in the true sense of the term. Which one are you taking? What does it say on your prescription bottle? I'll look into it. :-)
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How to Use the ThyroidStory Site (Where & How to Post)
Technical Help For the Site (Please post your questions!)

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that is really sweet of you...i will let you know soon as i get home
i take .30mg very low dosage...tho..
and the day is almost over here and i have to tell you that i felt sleepy in the morning and in the afternoon....more than usual....like i said i dont know what to expect....

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it says:
"thyroid tabs usp 1/2gr"
Mfg: Qualitest
does this help ? :)

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... at Stopthethyroidmadness.com. They list the ingredients of all the natural thyroid supplements available, and say this about the generics:

A couple things I can think of:

1. If you're new to thyroid medication, it often takes a while to adjust your prescription to the best dose for you. After a year since my diagnosis, I just had my FIRST blood tests that came back looking good AND I'm feeling good enough not to adjust the prescription again. A year of blood tests every 6-8 weeks.

2. Natural thyroid products often work best if you take two or three doses per day. So, if your prescription is for a 1/2 grain (30mg), try taking 1/4 grain in the morning and 1/4 grain in the evening. (For me, it seems to work best to take one dose at bedtime, take all my vitamins and supplements in the morning, and take another thyroid dose in the afternoon.)

3. You could always *request* a brand-name prescription, to see if you feel better on brand name Armour. It's not a very expensive medication, so there's not really an economic reason to use generics.

Hang in there!
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How to Use the ThyroidStory Site (Where & How to Post)
Technical Help For the Site (Please post your questions!)

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T H I S GREAT INFOS..... THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH !!!
I feel better already....(well after reading you). :)
Had no clue about this, and i will check out the website as well...I will talk to my doctor and try the brant name, and ask her if i can take it in the evening also cause i like my vitamins in the morning.
Thanks again !
(how do u know so much ?):)

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