Comments on: The walking SILENT SUCKERS of Synthroid, Levoxyl & Levothyroxine treatment

By: Maggie

Maggie — Sun, 16 May 2010 20:59:44 +0000

Hi,

Does anybody know if Armour or the equivalent can be purchased over the counter in Spain?

Maggie

By: Marcela

Marcela — Mon, 10 May 2010 04:54:51 +0000

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.

By: Karen

Karen — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:42:12 +0000

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!

By: Danelle

Danelle — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:28:57 +0000

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!!

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:57:15 +0000

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.)

By: Joyce

Joyce — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:27:22 +0000

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)

By: Raven

Raven — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:57:18 +0000

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!

By: Jill

Jill — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:34:08 +0000

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?

By: MISHA

MISHA — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:43:09 +0000

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.

By: Wolffie57

Wolffie57 — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:05:18 +0000

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.