posted
starting armour tomorrow--dr says he thinks alot of my symptoms are indicative of low thyroid--what should i expect?
any side effects?
Posts: 245 | From East Brunswick, NJ | Registered: Oct 2008
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Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
hezzer926, what dose will you be starting at? Many areas are experiencing Armour shortages, so you may want to make sure you can get it and continue to get it.
Depending on your test results, people often start at a low dose for several weeks, retest, and the dose is adjusted accordingly. You don't want to start at too high of a dose because it can be hard on the body (heart palpitations, etc.).
It can take some time to get levels optimal. Many symptoms of Lyme and hypothyroid overlap. Addressing thyroid issues will definitely help you feel better. Good luck!
Posts: 4681 | Registered: Oct 2000
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canefan17
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posted
Address adrenals before thyroid imo
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
Thyroid issues can definitely make you feel like hell personified. As Cane says though, support adrenals if they are weak. Thyroid treatment can tax adrenals if the adrenals are in fact fatigued.
Good luck.
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
ill have to look at what dose it is-- the pharmacist gave me the last 60 pills she had, so im good for at least 2 months--
im taking 1 pill per day
what supplements support the adrenals? im surprised my llmd didnt mention this before he started the thyroid medication, especially if thats standard protocol
Posts: 245 | From East Brunswick, NJ | Registered: Oct 2008
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Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
I think it is a good idea for anyone who has Lyme to also have their adrenal and hormone levels checked. From what I understand, saliva testing is better than blood testing.
I had my saliva testing done through ZRT Lab. It tested cortisol (adrenal), estrogen, testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and DHEA levels. All of my levels were low. Addressing this has helped a lot.
I think it is better to see what your cortisol levels are before taking anything for it so you can see what you will need. My doctor had me take a specific supplement protocol for severe adrenal fatigue.
Posts: 4681 | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
You may have gotten some of the last reformulated Armour Thyroid. Some people have not responded well to this. I just posted an update about the availability of nature throid and a compounded equivalent to Armour Thyroid.
Posts: 183 | From US | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
Lyme is known to cause suppressed thyroid as someone else pointed out. Surprised the doc didn't know for certain. Your bloodwork would tell you. E.g. If the range is 2.4 to 4.2, which is typical for one lab, your level should be somewhere near 4.0... It can be as low as 2.4 and they'll still tell you it's "normal".... when you were 20 it was probably 4.0... and frankly I like feeling more energetic. If he didn't test your FREE T3, he should have.... then you'd know for sure. TSH and T4 won't tell you, so check your labwork. Many docs don't order the Free T3(i.e. bioavailable to your body), which is too bad. Many good books on the subject - one is by Dr. Rouzier who is not a LL MD but certainly knows hormones and thyroid - can get cheap on amazon.com There are also many articles on thyroid... just make sure they know what talking about. At least the guy didn't give you the synthetic stuff. Levels can change as you get healthier and you may need more now and less later as you address lyme issues. I take 1/4 of what I took when I was sick. Taking too much can cause problems, which is why they check it at least every 3-6 months.
Posts: 5 | From Delaware | Registered: Jan 2010
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posted
I don't take armour.... never did. Took nature throid and now can't get that either. Get from a compounding pharmacy liothyronine/thyroxine SR capsules. your doc will have to decide your dose... mine is 1 grain. Agree with whoever said to start slow and work up.
Posts: 5 | From Delaware | Registered: Jan 2010
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posted
I had low thyroid- but I take levoxothyroid, not armour.
I had no side-effects. It took a while, but it really did make me feel better. Some tips- take it at least 30 minutes away from food (most doctors recommend taking it first thing in the morning). Also, avoid calcium first thing in the morning, since it can interfere with the thyroid medication (I didn't know that until recently)
Posts: 503 | From Alberta, Canada | Registered: Jun 2009
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