Here’s the skinny about the “new” Naturethroid: the good, the bad, and the curious

56 Responses to “Here’s the skinny about the “new” Naturethroid: the good, the bad, and the curious”

1. Jan said:

   Feb 20, 10 at 3:49 pm

   So basicly what you are sying is that Nature-Throid has also been reformulated?

   (From Janie: perhaps, but not with the negative connotation that we got with Armour)

2. Michele said:

   Feb 20, 10 at 5:09 pm

   After finding Armore was changed (and due to shortages) I had a month or two on Naturethroid which was great…had to go to new Armore for a month…and felt myself go slowly down hill…and just got Naturethroid again. I have to say I’ve been surprised at it not working as well as before…thought… something is different I think…I seem to need more…will see how that goes…pleeeeassse!

3. Carol G. said:

   Feb 20, 10 at 6:30 pm

   I see in the ingredients that there is lactose monohydrate in Naturethroid. From what I could find it appears that is a milk derivative. Being allergic to milk products I always have to wonder why they would put milk derivative in medicine?? I did better on Naturethroid than the new Armour but still not near as good as I did on the old Armour. Now I’m on compounded and aching all over…after reading this I’m thinking I need to find out what they are putting as filler in my compounded. Thanks for the information it’s been very helpful.

4. annie phenix said:

   Feb 20, 10 at 8:27 pm

   I haven’t done well on Naturethroid since I switched from the new Armour last summer. I had several hypo symptoms come back

   I am now trying compounded Armour and so far so good. The only filler the pharmacy put in was acidopholis. I am sick to read that the makers of Naturetroid put a milk derivative in it as I can’t have milk/caseins either. Maybe that is why I haven’t done well on Naturethroid? I very much appreciate your pointing that out, Carol G.

5. Lethal Lee said:

   Feb 21, 10 at 5:40 am

   (From Janie: Hi Lethal. I think you misread the information. They state they only switched from methyl to micro, not increased it. But it’s too bad that any has to be in there at all. Agreed.)

   Microcrystaline Cellulose is also the SAME type of cellulose that is in in Armour.

   The recent Armour reformulation reduced Dextrose & INCREASED the Microcrystaline Cellulose content and THAT caused all the problems we are all well aware of.

   Why then is the Microcrystaline Cellulose in the NT any different? Why would they increase Cellulose at all when they are aware of the Armour fiasco?
   http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/2009/11/11/is-cellulose-the-real-problem/
   See blog

   One person has commented that new NT is chalkier & you say it smells less piggy too. Doesnt this sound just like the comments made for new Armour?

   Avicel is a brand of Microcrystaline Cellulose & is often used in the compounded NTH (certainly the case in Australia). That is certainly problematic.

   In fact on RTH we are advising folks to avoid cellulose of any kind. Much better to have Acidophilus for example.

   As far as Lactose goes ALL NTH meds including compounded, contain trace amounts of it. It is in the Thyroid USP powder itself.

   See..

   ■Lactose Monohydrate – traceable amount as part of desiccated thyroid powder USP
   http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/armour-vs-other-brands/

6. Sally said:

   Feb 21, 10 at 11:42 am

   Am just starting on compounded and they switched filler for me to bioflavinoid. Hoping it works well and i will feel well.
   Did not know about the trace Lactose in Thyroid USP powder.
   All very interesting. THank you!

7. Jenny said:

   Feb 21, 10 at 7:02 pm

   So is lactose added as a filler a problem or not? I just called my compounding pharmacy, and they said they don’t add cellulose but use lactose as the filler. They argued that there was absolutely no problem with lactose as a filler. Does it bind with the thyroid?

8. Meg said:

   Feb 22, 10 at 4:30 am

   @Sally
   As compounded has recently become an option in Norway (alliance apotek), I’m interested in fillers.
   Do you know what it is, the bioflavinoid your farmacy is using?
   Thanks!
   meg

9. Nickie said:

   Feb 22, 10 at 9:09 am

   I was only on Nature-throid for a short time but I didn’t see too much of a difference but have talked to someone who had really bad side effects and actually felt worse than she did before she started on Armour – said all her symptoms came back. She is now on the compounded dessicated thyroid and had a problem adjusting to that for the first week and now doing great. Maybe it’s just that the body has to get adjusted to the new thyroid supplement. I am doing much better on the natural dessicated thyroid from the compounding pharmacy than I did on the Nature-throid and I’m also allergic to cow milk so I’m glad I have the option to use the compounded product.

10. valerie said:

    Mar 04, 10 at 9:34 am

    the new NT is working better for me…first time ive seen my basal temp increase in over 9 months…l think the new stuff is an improvement!…Val

11. linda from scotland said:

    Mar 05, 10 at 9:31 am

    i was sent my nature thyroid from the states over 2 weeks ago,and for some strange reason it has not yet arrived,in desperation,ilooked up a site selling generic armour-can anyone advise me on either of thes points or both?

12. Marion said:

    Mar 11, 10 at 12:40 am

    I am on the new NT since two weeks and not feeling so great.Could it be that the FDA forces these companies to ad fillers that make Armour and NT not work well anymore so they will have a good reason to discontinue all of the natural Thyroid meds and force us to take the chemical ones which will cause so many other problems that we will end up having to take other meds to deal with all the new problems? Since Juli 09 I have been so sick and switched to 5 different meds, all natural thyroid from pigs or compoundet and nothing worked as well as the old Armour.
    I have wanted to not live anymore if this is going to be how I feel for the rest of my life.Why can’t we get the old Armour back so we can feel great again?

13. Marie said:

    Mar 11, 10 at 6:09 pm

    What is your thoughts of using Natures Source Natural Thyroid when I was on Armour Natural Thyroid for many years 2 gr. Now the Natural has the addition of Kelp and Adrenal Gland and Pituitary Gland…I am lactose intollerant and allergic to Milk and Penicylin and Erythromycin (if that means anything – not sure). I found that I could not get any thyroid medication at all from any pharmacy and was told to go to a compounding shop, but without insurance, it would cost me 4 X as much, so had no choice but to switch to Natural Thyroid. I mean, we are told never go without our thyroid and the pharmacy’s left us out in the cold. What kinds of problems are everyone experiencing…I have been achy and just plain awful…and distant and no sex drive. I had an accident that caused me to have near adreanal failure, so thought the adrenal support would be a good thing. Thoughts?

14. p lindsay said:

    Mar 12, 10 at 11:57 am

    i have been on nature throid for over a year. switching for the better from armour. i recently got a new prescription sent to me for the new nature throid. it definitely is not working as good as the old nature throid and i am now experiencing symptoms of fatigue and cold. i tried taking a higher dose and it didnt make a bit of difference. not sure what to do now and it is very frustrating. i did email rlc labs and told them what i am experiencing. i think everyone should let them know if they are finding it isnt working as well for them.

15. valerie said:

    Mar 20, 10 at 9:10 am

    gosh l hate to say this…ITS NOT WORKING…how do l know..cold…low temps…blah blah blah blah blah…we all know the drill…so here is another product that doesnt work…AND l do not believe the FDA is not behind it…thats 2 companies now and the only 2 we have..that have changed their product for the worse…what sane business person would ever do that on purpose…dont care what the FDA says…l live in California where the federal govt has turned the water off on thousands of farmers for over a year now…and are now extorting votes for the healthcare bill with a promise of turning it back on….we are being blackmailed by our federal govt…so l do not believe the FDA…what is the first letter in their name…FEDERAL as in FEDERAL GOVT

    (From Janie: it’s a toss up, as many other folks are reporting the new Naturethroid to work well once they get past the initial introduction in the use of Naturethroid and adjust their adrenal treatment, if needed, so hopefully it will take just a raise for you or cortisol if needed.)

16. p lindsay said:

    Mar 23, 10 at 12:00 pm

    i am almost out of my old naturethroid pills which do work and will have to start taking my new batch again so we will see.
    i emailed RLC labs with my concerns and i havent gotten a reply. it has been almost 2 weeks.

17. Libby said:

    Apr 04, 10 at 9:02 pm

    After about 16 years of T4-only, switched to T3-only at the end of December 2009 due to an RT3 problem (take it sublingually). Just started to switch to dessicated thyroid and took my first Naturethroid (new formula) sublingually and it was “very” chalky, took a long time to dissolve (little over an hour), and didn’t completely dissolve. Not thrilled with it, but anything is better than the thought of going back to T4-only! Is the new Naturethroid supposed to be better than the old formula?

18. Priscilla said:

    Apr 06, 10 at 1:09 am

    The new NT is not working as well as the old. I guess I will have to use non-US meds from now on. I’m not looking forward to it.

19. Mila said:

    Apr 20, 10 at 8:13 am

    I love this site and all of you. I am an NTH yahoo group veteran and have been googling my eyes out all morning trying to decide whether or not to leave ERFA for skin eruptions and go to Nature-throid – and ended up right here back at Janie’s LOL.
    After not being able to reach Nature-throid (at all) yet was able to speak to someone at Erfa (AND a staff doctor is calling me back) – and reading all your posts, I have made the decision to stay put on the erfa and find some other skin remedies.
    Have a wonderful week!

20. Hilary said:

    Apr 25, 10 at 9:53 am

    Wake Up and Smell the Reformulation! Holy Hypo. Temps plunging, hair falling out, brain fog, mood in the tank. What’s up? Oh, here’s a week old refill of my awesome Naturethroid. Hmmm…let’s Google reformulation. Bam, here I am. What, there’s no obligation for them to tell you the formula is changing? Just the old switcheroo, again! Boy, did I get into this natural thyroid game at the wrong time. After my DX, tried levo for one year until I switched to Armour. I had one month of feeling great on the Old Armour until my first refill of New Armour. Now this! I KNOW it’s the reformulated Naturethroid that’s not working for me. I had a small stash of Westhroid, and after taking them for one day, my recent stomach and IBS troubles went away along with all my other hypo symptoms. Too bad I only have a few more. Now it’s on to Erfa. I’m pissed, but hopeful. Thanks Janie and everyone for the scoop, which you can only find here.

21. Hilary said:

    Apr 26, 10 at 1:33 pm

    Update: I ordered the Erfa from universaldrugstore.com ($20 for 100 60mg…I’m psyched!) AND compounded desiccated thyroid with acidophilus from Hook’s in Indiana. One of those HAS to work, right? Thank goodness I have a good doctor who let call in both RXs today! She’s also on natural thyroid (Armour) so she understands. New Armour was just OK for me but after the shortage when I started Naturethroid, it was a huge improvement…until last week when I got the reformulation. I take it orally in the a.m. then sublingual in the afternoon and although it dissolved just fine with a bit of sugar or sublingual B12, it wasn’t working at all for me. In the 4 months I was on Naturethroid (plus low carb, exercise, blah blah) I finally was able to lose 12 of the 25 pounds I gained when going hypo and I don’t want it back. So until I get my new RXs, I’m mortar and pestling my brains out to pulverize that evil cellulose and rotten little fillers. No offensive to those of you that are doing good on the new NT! Cheers to you! I wish I was too!

22. ellen said:

    Apr 28, 10 at 10:30 am

    hi. i’m on the new armour, pulverizing etc, but what a pain! i like the zip in the am, and didn’t get that on Naturethroid, but my temps still low and tired in pm. Can we tell the compounding pharmacies what we want in the compound. If so, what would be the closest thing to the original armour? ellen

    (From Janie: Erfa is the closest to the old Armour. Yes, you can tell compounders, via a doctors prescription, what you want. Just understand whether you are getting des. thyroid or synthetic T4 and T3. Ellen, are you sure you are on enough thyroid meds?)

23. Denice said:

    Jun 18, 10 at 3:05 pm

    I went from synthroid to Naturthroid in Aug 2009, it took 3 months to get though it but seemed worth it – until I ran out of naturethroid and went on a compound – that caused all kinds of reactions, finally got the new naturethoid and my heart has been having all kinds of problems from racing to palptations. Working with doc to change dose, but the only thing that seems to help is to continue to add levo. I am about to give up on the naturethroid.
    Anyone else having heart issues on the new naturethroid? Will crushing it stop the heart issues?

    (From Janie: Yes, crushing it and adding a bit of honey or sugar definitely helps. See my other blog posts below this earlier this year. If you continue to have palps after a week of doing that, you either have low cortisol and/or low ferritin that needs discovery and treatment. Patient groups can help you: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/talk-to-others Adding Levo is simply masking the problem and will make you worse down the line )

24. Barbara said:

    Jul 11, 10 at 11:40 am

    Went on Armour thyroid meds after another doc put my on Synthroid and I had horrible symptoms appear. My new DO took me off the Synthroid and put me on Armour. (6 months or so) Started to feel fine but after a couple of months I went down hill again. One of the new things I noticed was a bout with swollen ankles, fatigue and a change in my urine color. Now I drink plenty of water so that isn’t it. She then took me off Armour and compounded my meds. Started to feel better but for the second time I had a bout of swollen ankles and fatigue. I just started the compounded meds a week ago so I do need to give them a chance. Has anyone had this, should I be getting my kidneys checked, heart?? I am so disheartened at this time……

    (from Janie: you needed to be chewing up the Armour to release the desiccated thyroid from the excess cellulose–the latter which binds the thyroid. Doesn’t work well unless you do. Now that you are on compounded, you need to tell them NOT to use cellulose as a filler, but powdered acidolpholus. Also see if you are here: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/mistakes-patients-make )

25. Suzanne said:

    Jul 17, 10 at 2:01 pm

    Have been on Naturethroid for about 4 mos. after having compounded meds. Went off compounded meds because I seemed to be all over the place from one mo. to the next. The Naturethroid seemed to be working and then for the past 2 weeks I have been really fatigued, bad foot & ankle cramps, light-headed when standing up and headaches on a pretty regular basis. I go back to my dr. on Wed. but wanted to know it anyone else is having problems on Naturethorid.

    (from Janie: you need to be chewing it up to release the desiccated thyroid from the cellulose filler. But you may need to be doing a 24 hour adrenal saliva test, as well.)

26. Suzanne said:

    Jul 19, 10 at 10:15 am

    For about a week I tried crushing it up and mixed w/honey under my tongue but felt kind of sick to my stomach after about 1/2 hr. Didn’t notice any real difference in energy and still had all the other symptoms.
    I wrote in because I was curious if any one else felt good after switching and then a downturn after a few weeks. I am going to the dr on Wed but she is not into saliva testing or Naturethroid for that matter. She gives it to me because I request it. I have been to several drs in the area but have not found a dr that is knowledgeable about desiccated thyroid meds. I read this website and try to help myself from the other suggestions.

    (From Janie: you order the saliva test yourself. I would. Also use this page: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/mistakes-patients-make and get further feedback from other patients: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/talk-to-others )

27. Pollie said:

    Jul 29, 10 at 8:02 am

    RE: Suzanne, I have been on Nature-throid for a little over a month now. It worked great for the first couple of weeks. But , too, started having major foot, ankle, and joint cramps on it (so bad my doc had to prescribe me prednisone to reduce swelling). This has NEVER happened before. He thinks it’s the Nature-throid causing it: makes sense. I am really disheartened because I have tried almost EVERY thyroid med and this one is good, except for this debilitating side effect. Anyone know how to combat this? I want to stay on it because it makes my hair, skin, and overall mood great! Thanks.

    (From Janie: you need to be chewing the Naturethroid up before swallowing to release the thyroid from the cellulose filler. And you may not be on enough. http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/mistakes-patients-make )

28. Ren said:

    Aug 10, 10 at 2:37 am

    I was doing great on Naturethroid before the shortage now I am barely OK. I have been having a lot of joint pain, head aches, fatigue, and brain fog. I was trying to figure out why I am not doing well I had’nt thought of the reformulation until recently. I am so upset that they have tinkered with a great product. Any suggestions? What about ERFA?

    (From Janie: as mentioned many many times on my blog (hint), chew it up thoroughly before swallowing)

29. Liz said:

    Sep 18, 10 at 5:58 pm

    I was doing great on NatureThroid until June when I got a new 3 month prescription refill. I have gone downhill all Summer: hair, temperature, mood. I am seeing my doctor on Friday and hopefully he can increase the dose. Until then I will be chewing my pills.

    Thanks for the information Janie.

30. R. Woods said:

    Sep 27, 10 at 10:41 pm

    I’ve been on thyroid meds for about 6 months beginning with Synthroid but still had lots of Hypo symptoms including fatigue, constipation, foggy thinking, dry skin etc. so after hearing so much good stuff online about Armour I made the switch not knowing about the reformulation. After a month I was feeling horrible. Achy joints, weak muscles, brain completely shot, moody and depressed. Disheartened and disappointed, I searched for an alternative and came across Westhroid and Naturethroid. I contacted RLC to confirm it was *not* the same as the new Armour which the assured me it wasn’t, I ended up placing a phone order because I could not locate a local pharm who carried it. My script was for 3 grain of Westhroid and they told me all the had was Naturethroid abut assured me it was identical to Westthroid. Imagine my surprise when I got it and it tasted and seemed identical to the reformulated Armour. Been on it 4 days and so far so good but just about an hour ago, my muscles and joints started to ache. I work out and it feels like I overdid it but I haven’t worked out for 3 days, why start hurting now? I also felt bummed out all day today for no reason and now the pain. God I only hope I don’t have the same reaction as the new Armour.

    I feel like I’m another one who got on the thyroid treatment bandwagon too late. What are they doing to us? Why let SO MANY people suffer?

    Are there *any* options, compounding or otherwise, that works? I was grateful when I found out why I’d been feeling bad all these years only to get duped.

    Please… someone tell me you’re reacting well to the new Naturethroid. I could use some encouragement.

    (From Janie: both Armour and Naturethroid need to be thoroughly chewed up before swallowing for either to work well for many.)

31. CaliCarrie said:

    Oct 02, 10 at 11:01 am

    Thank goodness for this website! Had been doing great on “old” NatureThroid, now sick… AGAIN!!!! Does anyone know, is Westthroid more like old Naturethroid? (& I’ve heard it’s more of a vet med!!!)
    so so so frustrating…:(

    (From Janie: you need to be thoroughly chewing each tablet up before swallowing to release the desiccated thyroid from the excess cellulose. Give that time to show its results, plus make sure you are on enough.)

32. Toby Anne said:

    Oct 20, 10 at 6:56 pm

    I’m so glad I just now saw this. I was on 3 grains of NT for years and felt great. The past several months, I gained 25 pounds, lost my hair, had low temps and according to blood tests, my free T3 & free T4 were non-existent. What the heck!!! I was wondering if they changed the formulation. For some of us, the change is not good. I’m going to try upping the dosage to see if that works. UGH!!!!!!!!!

33. Suz said:

    Nov 05, 10 at 8:13 pm

    The new nature-throid gives me terrible headaches, hot flashes, fever, chills. I really wish they would go back to the old formula. I did great on that one.

34. Erica said:

    Nov 05, 10 at 9:02 pm

    So I just got started with NT (my first time on any prescription thyroid med) finally……….! But I don’t feel any better. When you say to chew it, do we leave it under the tongue also, or just swallow??? Also, I’ve only been on it about 3 weeks, is there a lag before the meds ‘kick in’? Thanks so much for any advice!

35. Janie said:

    Nov 06, 10 at 2:04 pm

    http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/things-we-have-learned

36. Janie said:

    Nov 06, 10 at 2:05 pm

    Sounds like you now have adrenal fatigue: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/adrenal-info

37. caterina said:

    Dec 02, 10 at 10:33 pm

    So, the question at hand is compounded BETTER than the new naturethroid? im off of all meds( was on levoxyl) and havent been on anything in months….my tsh is at 11 and my free t3 was at 2.7….i want ot get it right from the start and not mess with all this different meds- have never tried natural hormone replacements but the brain fog and fatigue is unbearable…..levoxyl helped with brain fog, but thats it…..no probs with weight….tested for adrenal fatigue, tested for ferritin, b-12, etc…….. am on b12 shots, liquid iron etc……any thoughts>

38. Janie said:

    Dec 02, 10 at 10:46 pm

    caterina, many people do well on Naturethroid. Others like their Compounded. I think either will work for you. Join patient groups for further feedback: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/talk-to-others And here are all your options: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/options-for-thyroid-treatment

39. caterina said:

    Dec 04, 10 at 7:42 pm

    Thanks for the info….I fogort to mention, that mine is hashimotos hypothyroidism with multinodular goiter and ive been told that some people with hashis, get a flare up from the glandulars( naturethroid etc)so ive been petrified to try it!
    i tried HALF of a bovine over the counter glandular( youre supposed to do up to 4 a day) and it kept me up all night with insomnia and severe anxiety….maybe because the t3 isnt calculated in the over the counters?

    ill have to join that list you referred to in the above post…..

    thanks:)
    caterina

40. Janie said:

    Dec 04, 10 at 7:52 pm

    You can get a flair up, but that is mostly from not raising fast enough, which we’ve learned has to be done with Hashi’s, or not checking adrenals and ferritin first and treating them. And one or both of the latter sounds like you.

41. caterina said:

    Dec 04, 10 at 8:17 pm

    had adrenals tested and they were ok,( actually SHOCKINGLY they were excellent even after 5 years of the levoxyl hell! i thought for sure i had adrenal fatigue!! i also just had ferritin tested and it was at 16, so i started about 2 weeks ago the liquid floradix natural iron supplement…….

    a dr friend of mine says a good free t3 should be between 3.5-4.5….when i was on levoxyl , it was at 3.0 now being off the meds its 2.7……

    is there somewhere i can read about raising fast enough so i dont waste your time esplaining to me:0 ive been reasearching on this ( thyroid)for many years and been trying to get to the ROOT instead of even having to go on a glandular as i know even though its a natural its replacing insteading of being a precurser to allow our bodies to generate it on its own…BUT im too sick to go on like this and until i have my mercury removed from my mouth( which i believe is MY root)i think i need to go on something to get my life back…it was strange reading your story as it is almost like you live in a secret world of sickness so to speak- we look so normal that people dont understand when i say im fatigued, that i mean it hurts to lift my hands or even to type this….i have 4 children at home and an organic business to run and i feel like im 90 years old when im only in my 30s!!!!( and surprisingly NOT overweight) maybe some of these questions are in your book? its the one thyroid book i havent read yet and recently tried to get it at the library, but they didnt have it:(

    just joined your hormone group…..

    caterina

    p.s. i truly appreciate your time writing me back, as time is a precious thing the Lord has given us!

42. Janie said:

    Dec 04, 10 at 8:22 pm

    http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/hashimotos

43. caterina said:

    Dec 04, 10 at 8:22 pm

    i just got an email saying i was denied into that yahoo group you mentioned above…was i supposed to write something specific to join?

    caterina

44. Janie said:

    Dec 04, 10 at 8:36 pm

    Not sure which one you are talking about, as I think I sent you to a page on STTM that lists them. Just try again, being detailed about yourself. If it’s NTH Europe, you must prove somehow you live in Europe.

45. caterina said:

    Dec 04, 10 at 8:40 pm

    Just read it – thanks!
    so if you start right at the 3 grains( give or take) its better and less chances of anxiety than when you start with say 1/4 grain?….i was going to start off with 1/4 grain of naturethroid ( i was originally on 0.88mcg of levoxyl and the lowest i got my tsh was 2.2- though i know its not a huge factor)ive heard that starting off with higher amounts and never being on t3 could effect the heart…. NONE of my drs ive been to have any knowledge of any of this , so its been fun researching this all out!

46. Janie said:

    Dec 04, 10 at 8:47 pm

    Hi. Try joining again, and you’ll get the feedback you need instead of here.

47. Audrey said:

    Feb 01, 11 at 4:35 pm

    So thankful for this website!! My story is, I was diagnosed with low T3 15 yrs ago, put on Synthroid. Then a few years later, after feeling little relief from my meds, was taken off because my new Dr told me that I was in a depression and the only help would be antidepressants. And yes, he tested my thyroid but not for T3. This started a 10 year cycle of therapy and last year I ended up on a 30 day treatment center due to severe depression. It took years to find the right Dr, I’m thankful I finally did!! I got my results back last week and they are the following:

    Low T3 3.0
    Low cortisol
    A food allergy that has made it difficult to process and absorb proteins
    Low testosterone (over prescribed birth control pills, 20 yrs) which has also made it impossible for my body to absorb nutrients and vitamins
    Low Vit D
    And finally low B 12 (300 points under).

    Last week I started on 1/2 grain Naturethriod, 2 tabs isocort, digestive enzymes, omega 3, liquid vit D supplement, daily liquid B-12 drops and weekly B-12 shots. My issue right now is that I feel like crap. My coordination is worse, I’m still pretty chilly, brain fog and fatigue more intense (I’ve been napping every day… I can’t stand daytime naps) and because of this my mood is low. My Dr said it’s called a “healing crisis”. She said my liver is releasing toxins and because of this it’s releasing years of suppressed symptoms. Apparently I should expect a few more days, possibly week of this, then I should feel great. Because she was smart enough to run the right tests I want to have faith in her. I guess I’m trying to figure out if what I’m feeling is Ok, or maybe I need to up my dosage of thyroid or adrenal medications. I know my diagnosis is pretty specific but any thoughts or advice is greatly appreciated. I’m back in the low thyroid game and a little out of touch from what I should expect. Very thankful the internet is useful for this too. Not so much available 15 yrs ago.
    Thanks in advance!!!

48. Leigh said:

    Feb 14, 11 at 6:40 pm

    I take 65mg Nature-throid daily plus very small amount of Unithroid because of T3 issues (because makers of Unithroid were first to go through proper procedure of applying for and receiving FDA approval while Synthroid was still balking—my opinion of Abbott Labs’ ethics is very low. And I’ll always be amazed at Janie’s courage going toe-to-toe with a Synthroid sales rep in that sneaker store, or wherever they ran into each other. But I digress…). CVS pharmacy did not have 65mg Nature-throid when I presented my prescription, so they gave me 130mg tabs to split. Those tabs were scored, with NT above the score and 2 below the score. NOW, CVS gave me 32.5mg tablets (merry-go-round thyroid meds, what can I say?!), which are small and lack a score altogether. I am having an entirely different experience taking two 32.5mg tabs instead of half a 130mg tab, and I do not know if I was taking the new formulation and now the old formulation, or vice versa. WHAT A TOTAL BUMMER THIS MEDS MESS IS!!! I can’t tell if I have too much med in me or too little, I’ve noticed over the past few years that I’ve been taking this stuff that it can be difficult to distinguish too much med from too little. Pill identifier at “drugs.com” does not recognize Nature-throid, so, Janie, do you know any site that can identify these tablets and reveal whether they are different formulations?

    (From Janie: no, I don’t, sadly. But I know there are private laboratories that will analyze meds, but they are very expensive. Hope someone with money to spare will use one and report back to me.)

49. Miriam Hamsa said:

    Apr 13, 11 at 9:06 am

    Interestingly, last Sept. my thyroid suddenly tested high after 10 years. I’ve been on naturthroid for probably 3 or 4 years now. We lowered the dose and tested again after 6 months. Still hyper. Go figure. My naturopath didn’t know about the reformulation. He thinks (and maybe there is some sense to it) that the reason my thyroid is suddenly “working” is that I have been mostly off gluten for the last year. Dropping to 1 gr from 1.5 and originally 2. Stay tuned!

50. Donna said:

    Apr 27, 11 at 8:07 pm

    @ Miriam– Hi Miriam My FreeT3 suddenly tested high for the first time ever– 4.11 !!! My endo’s testing policy is to do it in her office, and I’d taken my meds nearly 5 hours before. She’s tested me this way previously, and NEVER, EVER has it tested this high before. I get my NT from my ND– and she was unaware of the reformulation. I’d been stable on NT and adrenal support for over a year, and I think my adrenals have taken a hit due to the reformulation. The pills definitely changed around January, when I refilled with the ND, and by February, I was having insomnia, hypoglycemia, and other anxiety issues. My ND purchases NT in bulk, so I think she’d gone through the supply of old NT, and was into the new shipment of new NT, and I got the new stuff. Ugh.

51. Donna said:

    Apr 27, 11 at 8:14 pm

    Oops, couldn’t go back and edit for some reason. Free T3 is 11, NOT 4.11.

52. Barb said:

    Jul 10, 11 at 3:45 pm

    Donna and Miriam Hamsa – Lowering your dose of NT – did it relieve the anxiety issues and high Free T3? I’ve been on Armour Thyroid for years most recently at 90mg. I had a hysterectomy in April 2009 and quit HRT last June because of friends dying from Breast Cancer. Since 2009 I’ve been having anxiety, insomnia, heart palpatations and other symptoms which would seem like I’m hyper. Doctor’s say anxiety is due to Insomnia, only testing my TSH which has been from 1′s to 2′s so saying Thyroid is normal. Just put together that the reformulation is probably my problem. I’ve got an appt with an Endocrinologist in 2 weeks what tests should I insist on? Thank you anyone for information. I feel I’m going crazy.

    (From Janie: Barb, a high free T3 with your symptoms points to one or both of these: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/adrenal-info or http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/ferritin And an Endo is most likely going to keep you sick by putting you back on T4. Read the above.)

53. Barb said:

    Jul 11, 11 at 2:21 pm

    Janie – So what are you suggesting – adrenal and ferritin testing and going on Cortisol and Iron? If I am in fact hyperthyroid – do I even need any thyroid supplementation? This is all so confusing. Thank you for your help in understanding this nightmare.

    (Go here: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/talk-to-others )

54. Noreen said:

    Oct 02, 11 at 4:58 pm

    Does anyone know of a yahoo thyroid support grp for hypothyroidism or/and athyroidism (born w/o thyroid). I am scared, I have had constant issues (20+yrs) with synthetics, then Armour & now NT. I do believe there is a conspiracy to keep us sick; everytime we find a good med, it’s reformulated (for the worst) or gone for good. I have tried chewing, sucking on it (under tongue), you name it, to no avail.I’m going to get EFRA if I can get an Rx for it, I’ve only heard good about it.

    (From Janie: Join the original NTH group from here: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/talk-to-others Also check out the “thyroidless” group from the same page.)

55. jojo said:

    Jan 02, 12 at 12:39 pm

    Just got some naturethroid the other day and on one side is an N and the other side says 025, so are these yet again, a new formulation? I also have been gaining weight steadily once starting naturethroid and am thinking of stopping. I am on 1/2 grain once a day can I just stop or do I need to taper? I have hashi and my levels have always been in their “NORMAL” range.

    (From Janie: 1/2 grain is a paltry amount!! Most start on one grain, then raise by 1/2 grain every few weeks, slowing down in the 2-3 grain area. Read: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/things-we-have-learned then join patient groups for feedback: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/talk-to-others)

56. jojo said:

    Jan 02, 12 at 5:47 pm

    Thank you Janie so basically the paltry amount I am taking isn’t enough to do much right? So would I have to taper or can I just stop? Your site here is really cool I am having a little trouble figuring things out on it so thanks for your help and patience with me. I am seeing an endocrine doc at cleveland clinic and she refuses to move me up any higher on the med she says she doesn’t even usually treat hashi just goes on lab tests but since I was having symptoms she agreed on this low dose. What can I do, no doctors will help me, they all go on these lab results.

    (From Janie: read the above links; join patient groups. That will all help. And you need a FAR better doc. Here’s how to find one: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/how-to-find-a-good-doc)

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