Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Armour Thyroid vs. Synthroid (they may look similar but the differences will surprise you)





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I know there's been a lot of us wondering which thyroid replacement is most beneficial so I wanted to post some information I found. I used to take Synthroid but it left me feeling horrible. Then after much pleading with my Dr. I finally talked him into prescribing me Armour Thyroid and the difference was amazing!

Armour Thyroid contains T3 and T4 whereas Synthroid only contains T4. The problem is T4 must be converted into T3 by the body to be active and the reason this is a problem is because certain tissues in the body have a hard time making this conversion so they can't benefit from the hormone. Also T3 is four times more potent than T4 so you need less Armour Thyroid than Synthroid.

As you can read from the articles the government found that Synthroid doesn't remain potent through its expiration date and that tablets of the same dosage strength from the same manufacture have been found to vary in potency from lot to lot. This lack of stability also has the potential to cause serous health consequences.

Right click the links below and choose "open in new window".
**The first link talks about the government findings and the benefits of Armour Thyroid.


**The second link is an easy read article about Dr.'s preferring Armour Thyroid.


Let me know what you think and if anyone would like more information I'd love to help.

(p.s. If you are taking any B vitamins like a B-50 complex they greatly enhance the thyroid hormone so it may alter (decrease) the dose you need. Be careful of that.)

11 comments:

  1. Thanks, Aaron! I read all the articles you posted and then some. My doctor still doesn't want to prescribe the Armor thyroid, but I'll keep trying. I appreciate all your information!

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  2. Sure thing! Let me know if you need any more info to read. Good Luck!

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  3. I've been on Armour for several years now and it totally changed my life. Pain is gone, energy level is up and in general I feel my old self again. If your physician is not wanting to at least try it for you than it's time to find a new DR. Lydia

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  4. I was told about 2-3 months ago that my pharmacy had the required dosage of Armour Thyroid on backorder. It's been off market since. I was put on Synthroid by my Dr. and I am seeing again some of the classic symptoms of low thyroid function. (Tiredness, lassitude, mild depression or sadness.) I have a toll free number to inquire about Armour thyroid availability (866-927-3260) and I've checked it several times but there's no relief. Do you (or anyone following this) have any idea what's happening? I think the problem is the T4-T3 conversion. Just my subjective opinion.

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  5. I've been told, by two different compounding pharmacies, they can make up your prescription using the same main ingredient as they do at Forest Pharmaceuticals the manufacture of Armour.

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  6. Oh, I didn't know that. I'm a hypothyroid, too and I've been taking bovine for 3 years.My husband has been trying to convince me to take iodine supplements. Oh, God! I'm so glad that I read your article.

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  7. I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer 3yrs ago @ age 25 so I had my entire gland removed. I've been taking Levoxyl, my blood work is always "normal" yet I have had issues with sleeping since then. As you may well know not sleeping creates an on set of problems such as: low energy,anxiety, nervousness & even depression. After much research I've seen that people who have switched to Armour have a better quality of life. How long does it typically take to feel the difference? In addition how can one get the dr. to prescribe it? I've talked to my Dr. & get no results just other meds to "help" with the new issues. Just tired of playing ginea pig, any info would be helpful.

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  8. Hi there!

    I just got my thyroid removed on Sept 16th of this year, and am awaiting a radioactive iodine scan next week. From there, we need to figure out what my thyroid replacement hormone medication and dosage will be. I understand Armour has undergone some changes in the last few years and has been reformulated by the FDA and hasn't received the praise it used to. Do you know of any current alternatives that have both T3 and T4? I don't have quite as much trust in my doctor's opinion, since pharmaceutical companies can have such a greed-motivated interest! Thanks!

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  9. The thyroid gland is responsible for many problems in the body if not functioning properly. My personal advice, follow up with your local doctor,together with bovine thyroid and explain the feelings you are having.

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