Comments on: Is Cellulose the real problem in desiccated thyroid meds for many?

By: S&TofbeingS&T

S&TofbeingS&T — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:58:24 +0000

Samantha,
Some minerals including calcium (one other that I know of is iron) block absorption of thyroid hormone. Maybe your scrip can be compounded without any filler at all. Talk to your pharmacist — good luck to you.

By: Samantha

Samantha — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:07:19 +0000

I’m so gutted to have only just read this. I’ve recently spent a fortune on medications, thyroid hormones and hydro-cortisone compounded but I had cellulose as the filler put in without realising the problem. I knew I wasn’t having much success with it. The only other filler is calcium carbonate, does anyone know if this filler is ok to use? Or any other filler I could use in it’s place? Thanks xxx

By: gretta

gretta — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:38:01 +0000

while not related to thyroid problems, i am trying to see if there is a connection in the acidophilus/ with
cellulASE and increased hair loss. I eat a sugar, gluten, soy free diet. Mostly lean meat, vegetables and fruits (apples bananas, pears… carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, cabbage, brussel sprouts, baby lima beans, green beans pan cooked chicken, salmon (canned but salt rinsed off) lean turkey, occasionally lean beef. I read on a site i needed cellulase with high fiber intake. This supplement did wonders to clear up my painful cystic acne that i’ve suffered from for YEARS…but i notice i am really loosing my hair. Just wonder if there is a connection. I drink 10 – 12 8 oz of water per day. No caffine or alcohol, no smoking. Had hysterectomy and not on hormones. I take saw palmetto, liver supplement, candida clear supplement (had bad thrush about a year ago, so take maintenance dose) zinc, B5, D….any suggestions?

By: Autumn

Autumn — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:56:23 +0000

Janie,

I am very confused about what is causing this neck
and chest (almost like a necklace)rash. I am also
extremely tired and have no energy to do anything.
I’ve gained weight (am now over 201!) and yet I have
too fast a heartbeat, wake up and can’t get back to sleep
even when taking melatonin. I have been on a beta blocker
for over 40 years along with postnatal thyroiditis and
hashimotos hypothyroid (altho’ now my naturopath says I
don’t have antibodies. The first several days on Armour,
my thyroid hurt and the rash started and even on Naturethroid (tried to get to 3 gr. but too fast heartbeat)it continues. I also have periodic diarrhea.

By: Packer

Packer — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 23:40:37 +0000

Janie- Any updates on this topic? You might have saved me by posting this information. Was on Armour for years. Went to compounded and did awful- TSH went to 22. Guess what compounding RX used- Methyl Cellulose. Went to Armour when it came back on market. TSH improved but I didn’t feel as good. Hair started falling out at alarming rates. Nobody would believe me it was the Armour. Finally after just under 2 years I talk doc into trying Nature-Throid. Whoa that was a mistake. Gi symptoms galore, return of bad menstrual cycle, and migraines. I went off to research what could this be and found this article.

I am going to try compounded again this time with acidophiles unless you have an update that would change my mind.

(From Janie: the answer is: some say they are doing well on Armour now, especially if they chew it up; many say they are doing well on Naturethroid, others do well on Erfa, etc. Sounds like you could have adrenal fatigue and/or low ferritin/iron impeding your progress.)

By: Janie

Janie — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 16:56:26 +0000

AJ, I see comments on patient groups on folks who are doing well after starting the newly formulated Armour, but for some, it doesn’t last. We then found out from experience that chewing the tablets up give better results. so we started recommending that. Some will report they aren’t doing well on it, but when digging deeper, you see they have undiagnosed or undertreated adrenal fatigue. If you have any doubts, there are other options: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/options-for-thyroid-treatment

By: AJ

AJ — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 06:21:37 +0000

Hello, I am a 24 year old male who has suffered from hypothyroidism for the past 3 years. I took Synthroid for two years but saw zero improvement with my brain fog, sluggishness, and skin rashes. I was excited to go on Armour but the complaints about the reformulation of the drug have me worried. What do you guys recommend that I do? Has anyone had success with the reformulated version of Armour? Will chewing Armour fix all of the problems?

I really appreciate everyone’s help and look forward to hearing your feedback!

By: Janie

Janie — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:51:55 +0000

Eva, you have given good information. But the problem is that there are some patients who did not do the old Armour sublingually, and felt great. When Armour was reformulated, they felt much worse. When they raised it, they had no improvement. We then discovered that by chewing it up, there was a notable difference in the removal of symptoms. So, we concluded that the cellulose was the problem, and later, I have proposed that it’s the way the tablet is “compacted” into a pill that could be the problem. Your comment about the removal of sugar is a good one. Whatever the cause, Armour became an inferior product, even when folks raised the amount. Chewing it up thoroughly has been the only resolution.

Additionally, we also find that if one does the compounded route, which usually has microcrystalline cellulose, the capsules are nowhere near as effective. When patients instruct the pharmacy to make the filler as something else, like acidopholus, the patient nearly always says there is better removal of symptoms. That is very telling, since there is NO compacting into a tablet going on. So once again, all we are left with is the cellulose…..

There may be more to this story than you realize, Eva, just as there may be for my understanding, too.

PS: I also get emails here and there from folks who claim the new Armour just does NOT work. When I probe deeper, I always discover that they are either not chewing it up, underdosing themselves even if they are chewing it up, or now have adrenal fatigue that needs addressed.

By: Eva Bladh

Eva Bladh — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 08:12:26 +0000

Hello. It is a misunderstanding that it is the cellulose that makes people feel worse. The most important difference is: Before, the drug was put under the tongue (sublingual absorption), the tablet was containing sugar, which quickly disintegrated. The new tablet must be swallowed, which leads to impaired absorption, hence the worsening effect.

When you swallow a substance, it must pass through the stomach (destroyed by stomach acid). What is absorbed by the intestine then goes directly to the liver – where it breaks down. Therefore, you always need a higher dose when you swallow a drug than when it is given under the tongue or through the skin (such as estrogen patches). The problem is apparently that the dose had not been increased enough in the new tablet to offset the deterioration in the uptake.

In fact, water-soluble, gel-making fiber inhibits the absorption of various substances. But microcrystalline cellulose is NOT water soluble, does not make any gel, and has no impact on the uptake. A common form of microcrystalline cellulose is Avicell PH-102 NF. According to the specification, see the link below, it contains only 0.25% soluble fiber. http://www.signetchem.com/downloads/datasheets/Fmc-biopolymer/Avicel-PH-102-specifications.pdf The rest (99.75%) is insoluble and can not influence uptake.

How can I see the difference between water soluble and insoluble fiber? Try this: Soak flaxseeds in water: They become “slimy” Soak bran: nothing happens. Soak cellulose: nothing happens. The water soluble fibers produce a gel that slows absorption of drugs, sugar and others substances. Bran/cellulose does not. Since no mucus formation, it can not slow down the absorption. So you have to be aware of the difference between these two types of fibers.

By: Lynne

Lynne — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:07:15 +0000

Can leg cramps be a symptom of the New Armour? I do chew the tablets. It seems like I am gaining weight as well….
I have been on Armour for over a month now, gradually increased the dosage, but just don’t feel great at all…

If my doctor won’t use compounded or ERFA, what do you suggest??

(From Janie: use patient groups for good feedback: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/talk-to-others )