Armour Thyroid - Suppress TSH to <.01???

Question

I am currently on Synthroid and about to make the switch to Armour. My TSH is .7 on 100mcg of Synthroid, but I am gaining weight and am tired. My thyroid has been removed. I've been reading that on Armour, most people take about 3 grains a day and suppress their TSH to below .01 but keep there free t3 and free t4 ranges optimal. Is this accurate? Has anyone made the transition to Armour...how did it go? how much synthroid vs. armour do/did you take?

Answer 1

You've got the info correct. I switched to Armour 4 years ago. I have been on 3 grains (180mg) for the last 3 years. When I was first diagnosed, I was put on Levoxyl. It did nothing at all for my symptoms. After 9 months I went to an endo because I wanted Armour. He refused Armour, but added 5 mcg's of Cytomel to the Levoxyl. This helped a great deal and I remained on the Levoxyl/Cytomel combo for a couple of years. Eventually I wondered if I could feel even better so I sought out a doctor to put me on Armour. It was the best decisio I ever made.

On Armour, you try to get the free t4 midrange and the free t3 high in range. I will provide related links regarding Armour below.

When I was on Levoxyl I was on 75 mcg's with 5 mcg's of Cytomel. I only started out on 30 mg of Armour and that's only because the doctor I went to hadn't a clue about dosing. I eventually switched doctors and gradually moved up in dose until I got to 180mg

Answer 2

Here are a couple of points to remember about TSH:

Be careful when comparing your doses to others. People are different and require different amounts.

Whenever you take exogenous hormones (your body doesn't actually make the hormone itself), even if it is natural Armour, your body will respond to it in some way. Think of the guys taking steroids, their testicles shrink because they don't need to make more testosterone. Same thing with the thyroid gland. Also, if you are dosed at a level that is more than needed, your hormone receptors become resistant to the hormone, so you need more hormones to get the effect. Same thing as when a heroine addict needs more drugs to get high. Our bodies adapt.

People have a natural fluctuation in hormones, depending on the time of year, month and day, how stressed out you are, levels of other hormones (like sex hormones), etc. Point being that the blood work is a snap shot in time and doesn't always give you an accurate reading because maybe you are on an “off” day. Also, dosages need to be adjusted according to the things I just listed (like woman may have problems during the end of their menstrual period, especially during winter months).

Last and most important point. Meds are good to help you out, but you should really be doing things to change your body's natural physiology so that you are healthy enough that you don't need meds. Meds do have side effects, are expensive and can cause problems down the road. There are tons of problems that can cause thyroid problems that can be handled through natural means (or in combination with meds).

Answer 3

I was switched to Armour just a few months ago. At first it was not strong enough, my TSH level was 5.6. They increased it and I will be checked again later this month. 3 grains a day was not enough for me. I am on 6 now. I still am unable to lose weight and my body temperature is 97.5. My TSH is probably still above normal. My TSH was 4 before I was switched to Armour.

Answer 4

Making dietary changes is your first line of defense in treating hypothyroidism. Learn here https://tr.im/9gjRP

Many people with hypothyroidism experience crippling fatigue and brain fog, which prompts reaching for non-nutritional forms of energy like sugar and caffeine. I’ve dubbed these rascals the terrible twosome, as they can burn out your thyroid (and destabilize blood sugar).

1. Just say no to the dietary bungee cord. Greatly reduce or eliminate caffeine and sugar, including refined carbohydrates like flour, which the body treats like sugar. Make grain-based carbohydrates lesser of a focus, eating non-starchy vegetables to your heart’s content.

2. Up the protein. Protein transports thyroid hormone to all your tissues and enjoying it at each meal can help normalize thyroid function. Proteins include nuts and nut butters; quinoa; hormone- and antibiotic-free animal products (organic, grass-fed meats, eggs, and sustainably-farmed fish); and legumes.