June 02, 2009
If you are, check out the comments on the May 7th post or the April 28th post, and add your own comment about the newly formulated Armour desiccated thyroid by Forest Pharmaceuticals. Let’s keep a running tab on experiences.
Judy J. said:
Jun 02, 09 at 5:07 pmI am taking 2 gr. tablets twice a day of the new formula. It is impossible to do sub-lingual. Also, I have to now take it with food. Don’t know what they added but it does not appear to be as digestible as the old ones.
Arlene said:
Jun 05, 09 at 8:04 pmRegarding the new formula: I take one 2 gr. tab orally and a 2 gr. tab sublinqually in the morning. The old sweet taste is gone so the new is very bland; does take longer for a 2 grain tab to dissolve.
Danielle F said:
Jun 05, 09 at 8:55 pmFrom what I had learned from your site – I had recently asked my Endo to switch me from Synthroid to Armour…. (History – Diagnosed w/hyper & Grave’s in 2003 – 26 yrs old at the time… was put on nearly 9 pills a day for 2 years to get me out of hyper – finally after gaining 85 lbs – I went into remission.) Then 5 years later after the birth of my 3rd and final child in October 08 – took me 5 months to realize that it was NOT post part-um but my thyroid was causing my mania!!! (I had been hit with hypothyroidism….. and let me tell you it is like NOTHING I have ever in my entire life dealt with…It is AWFUL!!!) Errr…. Anyhow my endo has been adjusting my for the past 3 months now – synthroid
As of June 3rd, 2009 went to pharmacy to get Armour filled – (90MG) 1.5GR… and they were sold out – they called all local pharmacies and finally found one that had this…
I went there and picked it up…
Honestly – I havent felt a bit better since changing….. if anything I feel more slugish… I slept for 5 extra hours the second day I took it….. which is highly out of character….. Not to mention a hunger pain that will not disappear!!
I hate this…… I would love to hear some ones input….anyone?
I am not sure if this post will be any help – however if you want a picture I can take it for you!
Karen said:
Jun 06, 09 at 1:41 pmMy pharmacist loaned me 4 days of Armour because they did not have enough to fill my prescription. I put the tablet under my tongue before I left the store and immediately went back to the pharmacist to verify that she did not give me the wrong med. She looked quizical and said that it came from the Armour bottle, so I explained that the taste and texture was different. I had a generic brand of cytomel once that had that texture. It tasted sort of like aspirin. Ugh. I am very unhappy about the reformulation. And I wonder why the pharmacist was clueless.
Jerri Langlais said:
Jun 07, 09 at 3:34 pmI think it’s important to take the armour sublingually, so I’m thinking of crushing it before putting it under my tongue. Otherwise it takes forever to be assimilated, and it doesn’t taste so good either.
What can a patient do to object to this new formulation?
lynn said:
Jun 09, 09 at 9:24 amDanielle F.
You are feeling tired and hungry on armour because your cortisol is likely to be very low. Have you had saliva tests done? You can find great information and support at http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com
Linda Moore said:
Jun 09, 09 at 6:32 pmIt’s been at least 2-3 weeks. My joints hurt daily, my hips, arms and calves ache. I now nap each day for at least an hour. I’m going down hill. I take 3 Armour Thyroid 60mg tablets a day. I do not feel a thing….more and more tired.
Am going to switch to something else.
Linda
Terrie said:
Jun 09, 09 at 8:31 pmJust started taking armour after 2 years of Levothyroxine. 60 mg once a day- have gained weight in a week… very bloated and hot flashes. I was hoping for a better outcome. Maybe it is too short of a time but I am growing out of my clothing fast!!! (Terrie, you need to read the page Things We Have Learned. Janie)
Twyla said:
Jun 10, 09 at 10:21 amI was on Synthroid for 3 yrs. before going to my new Dr. who put me on Armoour-thyroid. I am now taking 3 tabs. each morning. I missed my last appointment with her and did not know there was any changes being made. I did have trouble getting pres. filled several times. The last two times I have had this new formula. I., too, went back to the pharmacy to make sure it was ok to take, since it was terrible and difficult to swallow. I chew it really quick and wash it down with a bit of water. Yuck! I received an email from my Dr. about all this and have since started checking. I feel really run down and listless. Have trouble concentrating and am always hungry. I am going to her and changing to something else. Anything is better than this stuff.
Terrie said:
Jun 10, 09 at 3:42 pmJanie- thanks for the advice on reading “The things we have learned” page. I will move forward with increased dosages. WQe shall see. I prefer natural products versus synthetics and am hoping for the best. Is sore joints … fingers, hips a cause/ effect of Armour in the early stages of use? Thanks so mmuch for responses. It is a relief!
Susan Quitzau said:
Jun 11, 09 at 4:52 amHi, Just checked in to see what you knew about the new formulation of Armour. I refilled my prescription of 60 mg (1GR) tablets (I take 2xday) at the end of April. I too noticed immediately, the lack of sweetness and the “fat” feeling under my tongue. The damn thing wouldn’t dissolve so I started swallowing it instead. I stopped back to the pharmacy and asked if they knew if something had changed or if the batch of pills was old. They said no, and they didn’t know otherwise. After about 2 weeks of this, I called Forest Labs and spoke to a consumer concerns person. I was told, YES, they did change the formulary (whew! I’m not crazy) and also that it should no longer be taken sublingually. The new formulary is made to dissolve by the enzymes in the stomach. Said it was in the info pamphlet. Well, after 2 years of taking the damn stuff… who reads the info packed??? That’s all I know.
Forest’s phone # is 1-800-678-1605 x 66297 but you probably already know that. Wish we had the old formulary back! Susan
Angel Trujillo said:
Jun 13, 09 at 10:38 amI have been on 4 grains armour for a year now.
I got the new Armour at the beggining of this month and I feel so horrible!! I am very hypO right now and it is a shame because I was feeling so good after being put on Armour after 4 years of Synthoid and the synthoid coma (very bad brain fog and IQ of a 2 year old)
Now I have been feeling REALLY bad and going down the same hypO road. I do not like it to well!!
I got this piece of infor in an email. I think all of us Armour people need to call in and tell them this. We all need to be nice doing this so it will properly be documented. Also do not let them know that you know about the formulation change as this leads to more crediablity to our case.
“I just called Forest Labs and spoke with “Pam” (1-800 678 1605. You can then
dial her extension directly, 67023) and I didn’t let them know I’m aware of
the product reformulation. I just told her I was concerned that all my old
hypothyroid symptoms had returned (in full swing), and that when I went back
to an old bottle of Armour that was in a closet, I felt much better within
two days. She told me there had been a reformulation in the product (the
cellulose replacement of the dextrose), and she passed me along to a lady in
“quality control.”"
Kay Colorado said:
Jun 13, 09 at 11:11 pmStarted taking levothyroxine 28 years ago and semed to be going fine, but now at 57, have had two months of the most horrible fatigue, hair loss and nails thin and brittle. Went to my old doc and he said take Synthroid. I didn’t like that answer so went to a chiropractor I’d heard about and he said take Armour. Got the Armour from my general practice do, but she’s not too knowledgeable about it and won’t give me more than 90mg a day and I dont think that’s enough. Now news of Armour reformulation that is bothering people makes me nervous. can I expect to feel better eventually on Armour or is it too messed up now with its new formula? Help – I’m going bald and the fat is accumulating by the minute…
gg in USA said:
Jun 14, 09 at 9:33 pmAfter one month on the newly formulated Armour, I’ve developed hyper-T symptoms. My levels have been stable for almost 2 years, so I’m wondering if the change had something to do with it? With Doc’s advice, I’ve had to decrease my dosage in half — but tacacardia and other symptoms remain! Also, I hate the taste! I too contacted Forest Labs to ask for advice, but got a-run-around — never speaking to anyone!
My doc said his patients haven’t complained of problems with new formula.
Barbara said:
Jun 15, 09 at 2:36 pmI have been taking the new Armour for a week and a few days. I first knew it was different when I opened my new bottle and it didn’t smell, so I thought it was old. Then I put it under my tongue and was totally surprised. When I told the pharmacist I thought it must be old she told me it had been reformulated. This I remember hearing a few months back so I came to the STTM website (the book that saved my life)and read what everyone was saying. However I decided to try it and see. SO far so good. I take 2 grains in the AM and 2 around 1ish. I do not feel a difference. I just had my labs done TSH extremely low and T3 high (before new formula). My doc said I could probably go down to 3 grains but since I was doing well to stay on the 4. But I started experiencing headaches after the mid day dose so I dropped it to just 3 grains per day. With the new formula I take the 4 grains a day split and feel fine. I also don’t really mind the chalkiness. At first it was disgusting but I am getting used to it. I still do mine Sublingually. I am getting to like it better because it dissolves much faster. The original formula would take 20-30 mins. this is gone in 10 mins. For me after 10 days it’s OK. I would have had symptoms by now I would think
Nigel said:
Jun 17, 09 at 12:29 pmI’m really happy with Westhroid and Nature-Throid. They work GREAT sublingual or even buccal. Splitting the tablet in half with my teeth is essential to getting it to dissolve quickly. Never tried the new Armour, but this is a great change from the old Armour formulation even if there’s no sugar.
-Nigel
Terry F said:
Jun 17, 09 at 3:55 pmMy son warned me about the Armour changes as he started downhill quick when he got the “new” Armour. I experienced new hypo symptoms within a few days of getting the “new” Armour myself. I called Forest and they acted like it was news to them and then transferred me to safety department and then a pharmacist who was totally ignorant, (possibly on purpose). I then filed a complaint with the FDA through their MedWatch program. It says if they get a few complaints it may start an action to look at the drug.
Sam said:
Jun 18, 09 at 5:45 pmRe new formulation of Armour Thyroid, I have posted my before&after lab (Free T3 & T4) results on the Realthyroidhelp.com site. Both levels decreased with the new formulation. The posting should be available at http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12972
Susan said:
Jun 21, 09 at 7:28 pmI started using a refill Rx about a month ago and felt like I was on a placebo. I kept thinking something wasn’t right, as I felt as tired and foggy as I did before starting Armour 3 years ago. I also called Forest and they switched me to a department with a pleasant woman who took down all my info. When I asked her if other people were calling in with the same questions, she quietly said yes! I’m still feeling lousy. I should be getting my newest labs back tomorrow and will post again if significant change. I just want to have a little energy, please?
Barbara said:
Jun 22, 09 at 12:09 pmIt’s been 7 days since my first post and I need to give an update. I steadily went downhill since last week with symptoms returning. I also have been diagnosed with what is known as Fibromyalgia, so when I was feeling run down I thought it was just another Fibro attack. But when The exhaustion got really bad and dry eyes, foggy brain, etc. I realized it must be the Armour not working. I have been taking double what I normally take since Friday (4th day now)instead of 4 grains a day I’m taking 8! I feel better but have asked My Dr to call in a new prescription for Nature Throid since it is getting good reviews here.
I also work with someone that I begged to see a Dr I knew would give her Armour because she had such bad symptoms-even seizures.I referred her to this website and STTM Book. She has been on Armour for about 6 months with very good results and no more seizures. Today I told her about the reformulation and she couldn’t believe it. She said she thought she was going crazy because all her symptoms were coming back and she had a seizure on Friday. She too is going to try to get her Dr to switch her to Nature Throid. Hope this helps and thanks for all the other informative posts.
Elaine said:
Jun 22, 09 at 1:17 pmGlad to get this information on the Armour formualtion change…I thought the pills were different because last fall I increased my dosage and got a bigger pill….that wasn’t sweet and sublingually dissolves like chalk. I reasoned it was the just the characteristics of the bigger dose pill. Doesn’t have that “familiar aroma” either.
I’ll be forwarding this info to my Doc. Might explain my weight gain and returning hypo-sypmtoms.
thanks.
Elenor Snow said:
Jun 25, 09 at 3:05 pmI wondered if they’d had a problem at the factory — I use two (1-grain) pills buccally (morning and) at night — and when I woke up with the new pills still undissolved (!!) I thought there was something wrong. My carpal tunnel came ROARING back. My pharmacist couldn’t even GET the 1-grain pills for a while; said she’d get me 2 -grain, which I was excited and pleased about” back to the good stuff I hoped! But she ended up getting me more of the “won’t-dissolve,” “don’t seem to work well” 1-grain pills… (darn.)
I guess I’ll try Nature-throid or Westhyroid too — what an idiotic mistake for Forest to make!!
Samantha Vilppu said:
Jun 26, 09 at 11:53 amThis explains everything more clearly. I too noticed the different taste and wasnt sure if I just got a batch without the sugar. I am fine without the sugar, since I think I was allergic to it, but from what these posts are indicating, the other changes they have made are making it less potent as well. I have mine cut into quarters and take sublinqually throughout the day. I have a couple of different bottles of this that I mixed together before I knew, so I sometimes get a sweet one and sometimes get the new formula.
Considering all we have been told about not even changing brands or from one generic to another, this is quite a dirty trick Forest has played. There is no patient insert with my Rx, so if the pharmacists dont know about this change, I imagine a LOT of people are having some serious problems with this change. Does anyone have a clue why they did this? Is there some hidden agenda to get us to stop taking the dessicated thyroid? More likely, we will simply change to Nature-throid instead, so Forest loses out.
Glynis said:
Jun 26, 09 at 9:17 pmI’ve been taking the new Armour for a few months now. No problems at all. I noticed the different taste, called them, they eventually called me back. Anyhow, I feel the same. I’m a personal trainer and exercise intensely, so I would notice if there was a problem — and there is none. I’m absolutely fine. I’ll be having blood work at the end of July but all I know is that it has been a while and I am on 120 mg and there is NO difference.
Shae said:
Jun 26, 09 at 9:40 pmI have been on Armour for 8 weeks. I was on Synthroid for 6 years (since diagnosis). I went off of synthroid for 4 months because I could not afford lab tests. So, finally I found healthcare through my college and got on Armour (not knowing anything about the “new” formula). In those 4 months of being off of meds, I gained 20 pounds AND my TSH soared to 9.56. Ooops. Whatever, I could not afford medical care – crap happens.
Since being on the Armour, I have not had to nap as much – but I am a tad more “sensitive” emotionally. Not depressed, just sensitive. The food cravings have gone, but I haven not lost more than a couple of pounds. I am not eating as much. I cannot speak of body aches, since I am way overdue for a chiropractic adjustment – which work really well for me.
The dissolving factor – well, mine dissolve (2 in the morning) and they are kind of chalky, but I know nothing different and they do not have a bad taste so to speak. I know that I have the new stuff because my pharmacy ran out of my prescribed 90 and only gave me 5 and then I had to go back for the others.
So, I am giving this a fair amount of time. After 6 weeks my TSH went down by 30% to 6.53. So, instead of one I am taking 2 and we are hoping TSH will reduce another 30%. However, I will not know until the Fall when I enroll in classes and can be tested again – as I STILL cannot afford heath care.
I am willing to give this a shot for a few months. If nothing spectacular happens by the Fall, then I will consider switching – I will have given it a fair 6 months. Oh and my doctor at the school also suffers from Hypothyroid – so I am feeling VERY blessed!
EG said:
Jun 27, 09 at 1:03 amI really really really miss the old Armour… I had finally gotten everything to a point where I wasn’t thinking about it anymore!!! Alas, the not thinking about my health and energy levels only lasted about 8 months… I’ve recently gone to Westhroid (I’m crushing it up and attempting to take it sublingually) and it is getting me by… but I’m not quite right.
I really really really miss old Armour.
Cora said:
Jun 27, 09 at 1:40 amWhen did they change it? I’ve only been on it a few months. I wasn’t taking anything before that, even though I was diagnosed 10 yrs ago. I was taking Synthroid before and I didn’t feel it was working so I just stopped. I currently take 120 mg of Armour Thyroid. Since I’ve been on it, my legs have started swelling. I thought it was just my legs, I can barely walk. But people started asking if I’m pregnant. And I can see that my face looks bloated too. The fatigue has been crippling and the muscle fatigue unbearable. I use to be so happy and friendly and full of life. I’m too tired and moody and sad. I’m not me. I’m not convinced it’s helping enough, if at all. But now my blood tests are “normal.” I feel like the test where treated, not me. They are normal but I’m most certainly not.
I don’t have anything to compare to. The ones I take, I’ve tried to put under my tongue. They taste like clay and they never dissolve. They turn into a sticky clay clump of goo. I just eventually swallow the clump because I just can’t bare having it in my mouth. Even with sugar under my tongue. They have been like this since I started taking it. I wasn’t sure if I didn’t understand how to do this, or what. But I was hoping to find a way to feel better. Desperation will even have you putting clay clumps under your tongue. Who knew?
So, I’m thinking I have the new formulation? Looks like I started taking it around April 10th (2009).
paula said:
Jun 27, 09 at 3:30 amI am feeling ill on the new armour. I tried raising and feel even worse.ie crashing fatgue, anxiety are the worst symtoms. I am going back on thyriod-s and nature thyriod.
This is such a shame.
Paula
Gary Rich said:
Jun 27, 09 at 4:24 amI am new to Armour, well at least this new formulation, I took the old one years ago, but forget how fast it absorbed. I crush the pills in a pill crusher, and that helps I think. Still takes 20 to 30 min for gr. ii.
Rainbow said:
Jun 27, 09 at 5:02 amI swallow my Armour and HATE this new formulation because you can’t cut the darn things without them splintering into a million pieces! I could cut the old formula with my pill cutter just fine. This is NOT cool for those of us ramping up, who need to increase their dosage by 15mg every week or two – or for those who split their dose up over the day. I’m going to see if my doc will switch me to Naturethroid. I’ve heard that it can be cut easily without turning to dust.
Lulu Smith said:
Jun 27, 09 at 10:57 amYes, trying to cut these new formula pills is a disaster, I take a full pill in the am and half at lunch. However, if you are taking a full pill, I recommend that you bite it before putting it under your tongue, it dissolves considerably better. I noticed how much better the split pill broke down; must be the coating. I had originally shared that I had been adding a little organic sugar, which was partly to disguise the taste, but breaking the surface is even more effective.
I think I’m going to need another increase in dosage, but there also seems to be a daily variance. Sometimes I’m constipated and get headaches and other days I’m OK. Please don’t let it be that Armour fulfills the description that the Endo’s love to throw at us.
“Armour is unstable”
Forest Labs, what on earth were you thinking. You had the best advocate in the world in Janie Bowthorpe. Better than any rep you could’ve had on payroll!
King Labs/Levoxyl must love this debacle. My sister-in-law’s doc, just took her off Armour and put her on Levo because her TSH came back at 5.2,and her free’s were crappy too; so much for TSH suppresion!
Good luck everyone.
Denise Forster said:
Jun 27, 09 at 11:58 amWow, I’m glad I got this thread via Facebook – I, too, very recently had my Armour dose adjusted down from 90 mg/day to 75 and was crashing every afternoon. Thought I better go have labs done and surely be adjusted up, but it was so soon this time. This probably explains the sudden need for a nap or espresso, or sometimes BOTH!! Gee, I hope it’s resolved soon so I can get my life back…and get off my escalating caffeine addiction!
Jim said:
Jun 28, 09 at 9:37 amChiming in with my complaints – I had no idea that they changed their formulation, but a month ago I got a new refill and in the past week I’ve been feeling like I felt before being on any thyroid medication. I’d already asked my doctor to switch me to a new brand before I’d read this thread. I can’t stand feeling this way – tired, no will to accomplish anything, depressed… sure hope my doctor changes the brand. Like others have said, what’s a shame is that my PCP now has even less faith in Armour. And FWIW, my last labs a few weeks ago showed a TSH of 14. Not good.
meg said:
Jun 28, 09 at 11:30 pmI’ve taken the fake stuff since 95 and armour for a year or two. I got immense improvements the few weeks I took the old formula sublingually/ buccally. So I was very upset by the new formula, dreading having the fatigue etc back.
But I have to say after two months on the new ones, I still feel better than when I swallowed the old ones.
I had been afraid of overdosing armour, since that was so uncomfortable on fake pills, but after reading this site, I also upped the dosage and take 3 grains, distributing this to at least three times a day. I take a bite off my 2 grain pills and chew it to a slightly moist pulp and put it under my upper lip.
Years ago I used to use snuff, tobacco that you put under your lip like this, so I am an expert at keeping things dry under my lip… I can tell you it does not dissolve completely. After a while, I mix in a little spit and that helps. But I suspect it only makes me not notice swallowing the rest? Not sure. If I put it under my tongue, it becomes wetter and dissolves quicker – again, I’m not sure if that means I’m swallowing more.
It would be interesting to know how people who experienced changes have been taking the pills. I wonder if the changes in effect depend on managing to to taking the drug sublingually, or if there’s something else in the way it’s put together.
Maybe that hard surface is supposed to protect the drug from stomach acid so it dissolves later in the digestive tract? But then they should warn against biting off bits of the pill and swallowing. That would make sense, since selling more little pills would mean more profit…
I’m mystified by how the manufacturer doesn’t say anything. Is this some sort of experiment they do to see what happens to us? Heh.
Kalli said:
Jun 29, 09 at 8:16 amI just started the Armour, started reading all your blogs, and a little nervous now…
I was on Synthroid for 8 years, and sick, and had no clue it could be my thyroid was still off so much, the Docs insisted I was fine, and that it must be something else.. They put me right over to the armour and I crashed, my adrenals went kaput! BUT after I got my adrenals back and up in working order, I am starting to feel way better than I have in years!!!! My armour is the old perhaps? It stinks, and it tastes sweet… But, how long is the new formula going to take to get into my pharmacy and I will go back downhill again??? 8( I really don’t want to go backwards, I just found this stuff!!!
Lulu Smith said:
Jun 29, 09 at 4:30 pmKalli, if your Armour tastes sweet, it’s defo the old formulation. You might want to go back to your Pharmacy and get as much as you can, whilst they still have some left.
Julie said:
Jul 02, 09 at 6:26 amI feel awful on the new armour. All my symptoms have returned. I am now also getting my adrenal ones at night, the panic has returned bad. I hurt, hair is falling out, brain fog is back, dry skin, etc. I am getting labs done today and then popping in my new naturethroid. I pray it gets rid of my hypo symptoms. I was so happy on the 4 grains of Armour. Why did they do this?
Thyroid Paul said:
Jul 02, 09 at 6:57 amI still have the old Armour so I cannot yet give you a perfect opinion, but, I have Nature Throid also, and it is chalky and does not dissolve sublingually. Nature Throid is not the answer….. By the way, I split my doses up, and take 5 – 30mg doses spread out over the entire day. If I don’t, I get weird pulse and blood pressure spikes late at night.
Stephanie said:
Jul 02, 09 at 1:44 pmI too had the return of hypo symptoms after I switched to the new formulation. My thryoid was the one thing I didn’t have to worry about! Now this med change is affecting me badly. I called Forest to complain just as others have done. My dr is switching me to NatureThroid – but I have to wait a bit until the order comes in.
I still had a few of the old pills so I had my chiropractor muscle test me against the old and the new and muscle testing showed that the new pills weren’t doing anything for me. Sigh. This sucks because Armour was the one thing I could count on to do its job. No longer.
niki said:
Jul 02, 09 at 5:30 pmI’ve been taking Synthroid since 2004 when I was diagnosed as hypo.It worked well for 3 years and then it didn’t work anymore.I went to 5-6 doctors in hope of finding out why I’ve gained 30 lbs,had no energy whatsoever and had to take naps during the day so I would not fall down because of exaustion.A year and 1/2 ago I was fortunate to find a Dr who put me on Armour and generic Synthroid and I felt normal again.Everything was great again, until May this year when I noticed the familiar exaustion feeling after a long walk and today I have to take naps during the day,my hair is falling,constipation,my wrists are aching and my brain fog is driving me mad.I thought I was crazy when the hypo symptoms started resurfacing but it all made sense when I found out the Armour Thyroid was reformulated.Honestly,my brain fog is so bad,I seem to forget everything.
Colleen said:
Jul 03, 09 at 7:07 pmJust got a new scrip. Was supposed to be 30mg of Armour but they said they could not get any. They gave me 60mg tabs – I said I would cut them up, as this has never been a problem before. Boy, was I wrong. Fortunately, was able to just use the 60, whole, as I am on 90,30, and 2-15s. Will post after a few days to let people know if symptoms return. Had recently gone up 15mg to 150 and was feeling great!
I think we should all not only call Forest to complain, we should be contacting the FDA to report the adverse affects, and write/call our congresspersons. If enough people do this, we CAN affect change. I will be calling Armour on Monday to complain about taste – which is horrible – and ask for the chemical breakdown of the old and new versions, and WHY they changed the formula. Also want to check on what one earlier post said about it not being sublingual any more.
I would seriously like to know why they would change a formula that was working. It’s the old “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it theory”. I’m sure that reformulation was expensive, so why would they foot that bill without a good reason. Something is fishy. Not to sound all Mulder, but, is this some “conspiracy” to get us all on synthetics? It won’t work.
kara said:
Jul 03, 09 at 10:05 pmI am feeling all hypo symptoms creepig back muscle aches,puffy eyes fatigue to the point where people have asked me if i’m ok because my eyes being puffy this is since i have started the new armour,i was doing so well ,also myt3 is down from 166 now it is 144 hmmm,i’m do for labs again in a week in a half ,i’m so concerned i made apt i may need to change to naturethroid i’m sensitive to synthroid so thats the only option i have I’m gonna pray this all gets figured out i’m like a car low on gas not good,got people especially my kids counting on me by 4pm no energy in a fog.
Jane said:
Jul 03, 09 at 10:40 pmWOW!!!!
I managed to get my OB-GYN to prescribe Armour for me in Nov, after having called my (sort of, at the time) GP to have me switched. I DID have an endo, but he retired a year or so ago. The GP said he would have to have me tested, etc., and I haven’t been very impressed with his doctoring skills the past couple of times I went to him, so that’s why I asked my OB-GYN. He wasn’t very comfortable prescribing Armour at the time, and implied that I would have to find a new Endo.
I don’t know if Armour has made any difference — I’m pretty sure I need to be on more, AND I’m pretty sure my Adrenals are shot, so how does one gauge this?
Anyhoo, I just wanted to comment that I tried to take it sublingually intially (in Jan 09) but I had the problem people are saying they’re having now i.e., it wouldn’t dissolve – I didn’t particuarly like the taste either.
Now I’m having problems getting my prescription filled, so that’s why I’m commenting here. I’m having other problems as well, so I’m just unsure as to whether it’s the change in Armour, whether I didn’t have a high enough dose, or there’s an adrenal component, or if it’s something entirely different. I DID have blood drawn for over 10 tests 2 weeks ago, and am waiting for the test to come in. I went to see a sports medicine doc because of muscle pain, and he’s the one that ordered all the tests. Although he came highly recommended, he has a god complex. He implied that I might have gome hyper, my response without even thinking was “I doubt it”, He took offense at that. He did order a cortisol, and DHEA test, and I guess that’s the one that holding things up. I guess I’ll see what the results are to decide what to do next.
Martha said:
Jul 04, 09 at 7:02 amHave been taking new formula (60 mg in am and 60 early afternoon)for about two months and other than the awful taste (I take it sublingually) and the fact that it does not split easily I don’t think I have experienced any changes. Just had blood work a couple of days ago so it will be interesting to see if levels have changed since the change. It bothers me that pharmacist were not made aware of the change in formulation.
Becci said:
Jul 04, 09 at 11:39 pmI have now been talking the new Armour for 8 weeks and am doing fine. By the first week of taking the new formula all my hypo symptoms starting coming back, and by the 2nd week I decided to up my dosage from 2.5 grains to 3 grains. As another week went by I was still feeling a little unstable but I was determined to give it a fair trial. At about 6 weeks I really started to feel back to normal again.
I don’t have any problems taking Armour under my tongue because I add just a little bit of sugar and boy it dissolves fast. I’m hopeful I will be one of the ones who gets to stay on Armour. So far so good.
Brad said:
Jul 08, 09 at 1:06 pmI have been working my way up on armour for the past few months. When I recieved my new script I was at 3 grains and had been for 6 weeks. The pills did not disolve as well under the tounge as the last ones did. I continued to take them this way for a week and my temps began to fall into the 97.0 range. I stuck it out and began chewing them and letting the contents breakdown in my mouth. Within days my temps shot back up and starting to feel more like the old tabs did.
I did put in a call to Forest and was sent from customers service to some kind of nurse. I told them both the story and they acted like it was news to them. My wife works for a Pharm. Research Co. and said their clients will change their formulation if they recieve enough complaints from the consumer. If you like the old Armour, I would definately call and let them know.
Laura said:
Jul 08, 09 at 2:25 pmThe last few months I have been feeling horrible-extreme fatigue, constantly cold, constipation, hair loss, nausea, retaining more water even though I’m on a diuretic, vision difficulties, weird hot flashes and more. I was beginning to think I was losing my mind or something horrible was going wrong with my health. My Doctor thought I needed more so we upped my dosage and that just made things worse. Then I found out Armour had changed their formulation. How could changing filler ingredients do this? And why weren’t doctors and pharmacists advised? Is there more to this change than just the fillers? I have had to search for Nature-Throid in hopes that changing to it will relieve all these horrible symptoms. Just when I had my dosage down pat and I was feeling great, this happens. What ever happened to “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?” I will be registering a complaint with the FDA, but I doubt it will do any good other than make me feel better that I made my voice heard.
D Wood said:
Jul 09, 09 at 5:04 pmI’m curious about the new Armour. Reading the above, some people have done fine on it, some went hypo, and some went hyper, whatever their case, I’m curious if they will have the same repeat with a new bottle of new Armour, or are the bottles, just not consistant. Food for thought.
Chris said:
Jul 10, 09 at 2:15 pmI just started taking Armour May 1st after taking Levothyroxine for two years. I had started to see improvement until, like everyone else on here, I recieved the new formulation.
I decided to ride it out with the “wait and see” attitude, but the fatique, body aches, vision issues, hot flashes and depression set in anyway. The depression has subsided, but the other symptoms persist. Is anyone else having issues with acne? I’m 48 and the last couple of weeks my skin looks like I’m back in high school.
I am extremely disapointed in Forest, just when I was starting to see improvements the old hypo symptoms returned.
I spoke with my Pharmacist yesterday and asked if he was aware of the problems with this drug. He said, yes and that Forest was working on fixing the problems, and that there is also a shortage of certain doses until the issues get resolved.
I asked if he knew if Forest was going back to the old formula, but that he couldn’t tell me.
Hopefully our voices are being heard.
MGC said:
Jul 11, 09 at 10:38 amWow, I’m so glad I started looking up what was going on with Armour. I was just told by my pharmacist that it was on backorder, although he didn’t know why. I too noticed the different, non-sweet, chalky taste about two months ago. This is around the time I started experiencing fatigue, some hair loss and weight gain (6 lbs). I had been holding strong for about 9 months prior with the old formula. Felt amazing with it. I was wondering why now that I’m jogging approx 2 miles a day and dieting, I haven’t dropped a single pound. Now, don’t get me wrong, the new formula is still working, as I’m nowhere near as symptomatic as I was prior to taking any thyroid meds (I couldn’t even walk around the block).
Scarlet said:
Jul 12, 09 at 12:02 pmOn May 1st, 2008 my thyroid was removed because of Papillary Carcinoma that had spread to both lobes as well as my lymph nodes.
At my request I went straight on Armour thyroid and obtained wonderful results. On June 8th I picked up a new three month supply and when I placed the tablets under my tung I noticed that they were not the same. By July 7th I was practically bed ridden. My joints ached and I was as weak as a kitten. I have three small children at home and it took every ounce of energy that I had left to walk to the phone and call my doctor.
I do not want to cause alarm but my doctor believes that the reformulated Armour is contaminated – (most likely the cornstarch). He indicated that we are getting sick and going hypo because our bodies are rejecting the pills due to toxins which is causing us not to absorb the thyroid properly.
I received a prescription for Nautre-Throid which does not work well sublingually. This is a hard time for all of us…
Erika said:
Jul 14, 09 at 12:29 amI never got to try the old armour. Was diagnosed hypo and tried supplements and diet
change as I did not want to go on meds. Last week my energy levels were super low and my
moods all over the place. I’m subclinical but the rapid onset of the depression
and constant fatigue were enough to get me to start armour. I’m on 30 once a day and
have noticed my moods are more stable and not fatigued. Crossing my fingers for
everyone here.
judy b said:
Jul 20, 09 at 8:42 pmI have been hypo for 40+ years, some doctors would medicate, some wouldn’t. had been on synthroid for last 10 years with not good results, thanks to this sttm, changed doctors and started armour 3 months ago, even tho it was the new formula, it still was better than synthroid. went to get my refill last time, and they couldn’t get my dosage (90) so gave me 30’s (which i acutally liked better to split up thru the day). This time (thru my mailorder pharmacy) they couldn’t get armour at all and had the doctor rewrite to nature throid. from what i can tell from this blog, i may be better off with the change. Thanks!!
Cris said:
Jul 21, 09 at 9:25 pmInteresting you say your doctor suspects the new formula may be contaminated because almost all corn products in America are GMO (genetically modified) and the GMO products can cause considerable damage to us at the cellular levels.
Also, someone mentioned that the new formula is meant to be digested so enzymes can work on the hormone, but interestingly enough, enzymes only work in a 98F environment; most if not all hypothyroid patients suffer from low body temperature-I know I do, my basal temperature is around 93F (my thermometers only go that low so it could be lower).
I just started up the new formula. With the old formula I’d bite it and tuck it under my tongue when I went to bed and upon arising. It would dissolve within a half hour or so. This new formulation is still in my mouth when I wake up.
I don’t get the sickly sweet nasty smell with the new pills, and they aren’t as sweet or dense either. Taste wise I prefer the new formulation, but I’d rather have the old formula because it works. So far the new stuff isn’t doing it for me. Forest is up to something, it’s like they’re slipping synthetic thyroid hormones to us or something. More complaints are necessary, and if the complaining doesn’t do it, hitting them where it hurts, their pocketbook, will.
Laurie said:
Jul 22, 09 at 1:01 amJust an update…have been taking 1 & 1/2 grains of NatureThroid for a week after finally getting (reluctantly!) a prescription from my doc. Feel good! Got the runaround from Winn-Dixie Pharmacy (after I praised their efforts!) that NT ‘was on backorder indefinitely’ and would/could not even give me an estimated delivery date. Contacted RLC Labs and explained my situation. The rep was kind enough to give me the contact info of several pharmacies in Birmingham, AL that buy directly from RLC Labs. I called the first name on my list, they verified the product was in stock & available, they in turned called Winn-Dixie, requested the transfer of my prescription, called me back for addy & payment info and I received my 30-day meds the next day. My ins. does not cover NT either. I am thrilled in finding a source, can adapt to the taste of NT taken sublingually and know every day will be better. Call RLC Labs 1-877-797-7997 as they do care. Thank you Janie for this site & your tireless efforts to make us all aware.
Lisa said:
Jul 23, 09 at 5:40 amSadly I’m another victim of the Armour reformulation. All of my symptoms have returned and my TSH levels are through the roof! Unfortunately my endo just left town and I’m awaiting the arrival of the new one to get a different Rx. It’s so sad that Forest Labs didn’t do more to check out the effects of their reformulation before they unleashed it on the population!
Alexia said:
Jul 23, 09 at 7:06 pmThe new Armour was horrible. I am now on Westhroid and my skin and hair as well as brain function and energy levels are returning to a health.
I am so angry at Forest Labs for changing Armour. But Westhroid seems to be working!
Ben said:
Jul 23, 09 at 9:36 pmThanks for posting this. One of my patients is on Armour and she came in today asking if we had it, which of course we did not (at least the 1/4 grain that she takes). I told her I would track it down for her. She mentioned that she wanted the “old” Armour, and that Forest had changed their formulation at some point this year. Usually when people tell me this, about any drug, I brush it off as a psychosomatic thing. I told her that I would do my best but since it was on long-term backorder (and has been off and on for as long as I can remember), I may not have a choice.
She ran down her list of symptoms which were in-line with hypothyroidism, so I was perplexed and began to really ponder if Forest really did change the formulation (which you should NEVER do with any NTI drug), and if they had why weren’t we (the pharmacists) informed?
She asked what she could do since the new-formulation isn’t working for her, and I told her that she and her endocrinologist may want to consider a trial run on synthetic T3, and she got and absolutely devastated look on her face. I’m glad for reading this because now I can suggest Westhroid, which to be quite honest I’ve never heard of.
I think I may have found the “old” formulation for her though, and it’s being UPS’d in from another part of the state. For anyone interested, if you really want the old formulation, I will explain how to have a decent shot of getting it. And believe me, this is not sure-fire by any means, but it is the only way I’ve found so far.
Again, it’s not a guarantee that you will get the “old” formulation and unfortunately there is not a way to know for sure until you actually take the medicine home and use it.
Go to Walgreens (other chains may be able to this as well), and have them pull up a list of every store in their district and neighboring districts “inventory-on-hand” for Armour Thyroid. This is an exact count of the number of tablets that each store has. Off to the side is a column that says “Days of supply.” You need to pick a location that shows “NO SALES.” “NO SALES” means there hasn’t been any of that drug dispensed in the last 90 days, and the way the system is set up it will only order more product if you are actively dispensing it. Therefore, if Forest changed the formulation in April, there is a good chance that if a store has any product on hand and they haven’t sold any in 90 days, that the Thyroid on the shelf is the old formulation.
Again, I’m not guaranteeing any luck. So please don’t go to your pharmacy and yell at them because you didn’t get the old formulation. It’s really hit-and-miss.
As far as complaining to MedWatch and the FDA, don’t bother. Armour Thyroid is marketed without an NDA, and without FDA approval. It was only allowed to stay on the market because it was grandfathered. The FDA has no say-so with what Forest does to the formulation.
Susan Quitzau said:
Jul 25, 09 at 5:25 amI am sitting here in tears. 3+ months ago, I called Forest labs when I too, noticed a difference in the 60mg tablet. They confirmed the formulary change and I continued to take my doses as prescribed. However, My wellbeing, physical and mental health has been declining the last several months – so bad that I went back on Wellbutrin, but actually on the generic the first time. Feeling worse and worse, (depression, weight gain, irritability, sensitivity to everything!, etc.) I found out that the generic Wellbutrin also is proving ineffective for some. So, after a month on the brand Wellbutrin and still feeling my decline, I came back to wonder about the NEW Armour – and sure enough, all the info is here and on Mary Solomons About.com – I’m NOT nuts! The NEW Armour isn’t working!!! Will be on the phone to my doctor as soon as his office opens this morning!! Must read through your posts to see what resolve you all have had to this (what to take instead??) Susan
mair jones said:
Jul 28, 09 at 9:55 amI had to go on armour thyroid because I became severely allergic to levothyroxine,eltoxine etc.The first batch in Feb 09 helped me get better (I now assume this was old stock)it dissolved well under the tongue.The second batch seemed ok but didnot dissolve well.In June the third batch has returned me to a dreadfull state of illhealth;all the old symptoms back,and worse lethargy etc.I am seeing my private practitioner tomorrow,and I will be asking him to put me on another type of extract.No more Armour for me!
Everything the UK doctors warn you of about Armour is coming home to roost.
Betty Longerich said:
Jul 31, 09 at 10:14 amAlmost 50 years of taking Armour Thyroid with no problems with my dosage. Encountered problems twice in past when my doctor “insisted” that Armour was not reliable and started me on Synthroid and then on Levothyroid. Recent Armour formulation has changed everything for me. T3 higher than normal. Recently,had to have formulated capsule prepared by Walgreens as my mailorder pharmacy and local pharmacies could not get 90mg tablet. (By the way, I have chewed my tablets for years, always with excellent results.) Now, after 10 days of capsules (30mg) I FEEL HORRIBLE. Persistent nausea, headaches, and lethargy. Will call doctor on Monday and try to switch to something else-maybe Naturethroid or West throid.
50 years of good Armour gone! Too bad that Forest Labs can’t understand that this change is not good.
jackie said:
Aug 07, 09 at 5:37 pmI post on message boards on The Best Life website and, because I was going down the tubes rapidly the gals were trying to get me to get my thyroid rechecked. I have been hypo since 95 and was on Synthroid till about Jan 08 when I switched to Armour.) I Had fantastic results with it feeling so much better – even managing to lose twenty pounds over the past year on th Best Life prog. Anyway long story short…. these past two months I have been rapidly going down hill again – can’t budge the scales despite good workouts and great nutrition, am getting soooo lethergic again – no joy, tired all afternoon long. It never occurred to me that the meds might have been messed with. I was putting it down to my endo cutting me way back on Armour – now I know it’s probably both. One of the gals on BL just told me about this website – I had never heard of it but OMG I am so glad I have now. I intend to read more of the info this week and go armed to the teeth next week to see my endo – Thanks for all this new information. JAckie
Victoria said:
Aug 17, 09 at 8:06 amI’ve been taking Armour 30mg for about a year to suppress my thyroid and multiple (hot) nodules. I quit taking it for about 8 weeks to prepare for a thyroid scan. So after the scan, I got my prescription refilled and the dr. raised the dosage to 45 mg. Ever since, I have felt like garbage! I never really had any hypo symptoms before I even started the thyroid journey (other than the lump in the throat thing)…but wow…I certainly feel hypo now. Exhausted all the time, hair falling out, lots of joint pain and my jaw hurts. The strangest thing is that the tip of my tongue has been very inflamed since starting the new refill. I can’t necessarily attribute that to the Armour because I haven’t read about anyone else having that problem…but now I’m suspicious! Calling my dr. for an appt TODAY.
Julie said:
Aug 18, 09 at 4:03 pmAfter a year on Syn and Lev, I was till not feeling well. I finally found a doc to prescribe Armour. I felt great for 2 years and got a refill about a month ago. I noticed that it smelled different but did not think much of it. After about 2 weeks I felt HORRIBLE! All my hypo symptoms were back. I blamed my hormones and kept calling my docs office. I was completely frustrated until I went online to see if there were any issues with Armour and there it was….Armour reformulation info was all over the internet. I have been on Naturethroid for about a week and I feel a little better but not there yet. My hope is that everyone STOPS buying Armour and they change their formula back. If anyone has any luck with other meds can you post please?
dharma said:
Aug 19, 09 at 1:43 pmHi everyone,
A friend of mine informed me that the formula had changed and I jumped on this site to see what everyone was saying.
The more I think about, and after reading this, I think my symptoms have returned. It has been a slow process, but things have changed. I think I still have a batch of the old stuff because it has that familiar smell, but it’s hard to say since it seems the formula may have been changed before my script date.
Anyway, I have a question about Westhroid and Nature-Throid…. Do you take it in the same manner as Armour? Ramping up? I take 6 grains of Armour a day. Any help on this would be awesome as I am heading to my doc in the next couple of weeks and I would like to be armed with information about this.
Thanks in advance!
Elizabeth Kenney said:
Aug 29, 09 at 8:34 pmI feel like I’m the last one to find out about the change to the Armour formulation. In June/July I started to become symptomatic – this after a few years of relative normalcy on Armour. I was diagnosed twenty years ago at 23 with Hashi’s and about four years ago, switched from Synthroid/Cytomel to Armour with very good results. In June of this year, it was as if I was back in my body 20 years ago – a long list of symptoms. You know them all. I’ve had two straight months of my hair falling out like crazy, attack-like symptoms where I had a migraine for five days, brain fog, extreme fatigue, depression, joints and muscles aching so badly I cannot bring myself to do my normal easy yoga and fitness routine, and now, I’ve gained 10 lbs – all around the middle and chest. I feel bloated, have difficulty concentrating. In April, I had an IUD inserted and have had very heavy bleeding since, so that threw me off and my OB thought I might be anemic. I wasn’t, so it was back to the internist for extensive testing. He put me on NatureThroid three weeks ago and suggested I take Rhodiola for stress. I am completely stressed out over the slightest things – I know it’s very extreme, even I can see it and really try not to overreact to things. The days I’ve counted the hairs in my brush, it’s 140-200 after I wash my hair. Today, after three weeks of NatureThroid, I counted 104. This may be because I don’t have as much hair left to lose, but I’m taking it as a good sign things are getting better. I feel more energetic, for sure. It’s almost as if in addition to not meeting my Rx needs, the reformulated Armour caused some other kind of damage at the same time. I’m waiting for some extensive blood work from the doctor plus I did a 24-hr saliva test for Adrenal Fatigue. Hopefully answers and some relief come soon. It’s affecting my job, my relationships and my wellbeing.
Susan said:
Sep 03, 09 at 4:59 pmAfter 5 years of rarely catching anything, I have had 7 colds in the past 8 months, each lasting approx. 2 weeks. This is exactly what my life was like before Armour Thyroid. I’ve also noticed joint pain and I’m sleeping way too well for someone who is perimenopausal.
The thing that puzzles me, though is that I just had a blood test done and my TSH was .01 – Do you think it’s possible that my TSH could be fine, but the Armour still isn’t really working? I’m not sure if they tested my T4 and T3 levels. I have a doctor’s appt. scheduled for next week and I’d really like to go in with a plan in mind.
I did notice a few refills ago that my pills didn’t smell bad anymore and wondered if they were using old pills since I had been told that the odor indicated that they were “fresh”. Does anyone know exactly when the new pills started coming out? I called Armour and left a message. Thanks for posting the phone number.
Sharon said:
Sep 05, 09 at 8:17 amI’ve been taking the new formula since June. My tsh has always been very low in the past, and last week I had it checked for the first time with the new formulation. My tsh was 6.2 and my doctor refuses to let me take armour or any other dessicated thyroid. He is making me take synthroid, which I have taken before and I know it makes me feel horrible.I can’t seem to make myself go to his office to pick it up. I know I feel better now than I will with a lower tsh on synthroid. I can’t find any doctor that will give me a prescription for anything but synthroid.
Sienna said:
Oct 22, 09 at 8:39 pmI have taken Armour Thyroid prior to the reformulation. After the reformulation I noticed I could not disssolve the pills sublingually. Following another refill, my hair has been begun to fall out, my joints ache, and I have developed hideous acne. Good heavens! I thought I had overcome all this after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism and being prescribed Armour Thyroid. A year worth of progress thrown down the drain with an unnanounced reformulation? I am physically exhausted by the lead-suit of hypothyroidism, and mentally fed-up with the dishonest conceit of medicine.
Diana Anderson said:
Nov 12, 09 at 8:46 amI have been feeling hypothyroid symptoms gradually for the past five months, and now finally know why. I did not put two and two together until reading about the change in formulation of the Armour, and my health. The approaching winter weather has made my symptoms of hypothyroidism impossible to live with. I have been on Armour before the reformulation a total of 3 years, and all was well until these last five months, go figure. I contacted my doctor and requested an increase in the Armour in hopes to alleviate my symptoms. I do not know if an increase of Armour is going to help alleviate my symptoms, but will soon find out. I will be diligently investigating all my options concerning natural thyroid replacement alternatives if the Armour is not working for me anymore. I love the fact that this “reformulation” was never announced at least not to my knowledge, and apparently not my doctors either! I am tired of all this mess as you all are, is it any wonder why we have no choice but to be proactive when it comes to our health.