While I take a little bit of Armour Thyroid in my meds, I don't think I'd say that it is a MUST to take these natural meds to feel well. However, I respect the fact that for some people there is no other way to feel well. Probably these people have problems converting T-4 to T-3.
There are those who probably would have felt well on Armour, who had to quit it because they rushed in without the proper information. So, consider the following:
It should be remembered that the normal human thyroid would produce about 5% of its hormones as T-3 while the pig thyroid would produce 20%. Natural thyroid meds come from pig thyroid. Thus, some people need to adjust the proportion of T-3 in their meds by substituting in some synthetic T-4 meds.
For this reason, many do best if they substitute in some T-4 only meds with the Armour or Naturethroid (or other natural med).
Before taking a med with T-3 such as Armour, it is wise to be sure that your doc test your thyroid levels within 6 weeks or so, and especially to be sure he will test your T-3 levels. It would be wise to know your TSH, Free T-4 and Free T-3 levels before beginning Armour or other natural meds. Also, responses to T-3 meds are different for different individuals.
Another warning is that higher levels of T-3 can raise your blood sugar levels, and blood glucose levels should be measured as well once on T-3 meds.
Before beginning T-3 meds which include the natural meds -- Armour and Naturethroid, etc. -- and the synthetic T-3 med, Cytomel, it is wise to know something about T-3 meds. It is also wise to know your Free T-4 and Free T-3 levels to see what you do need, and how the meds impact them.
You may also appreciate knowing that my doc generally treats with T-4 meds alone -- Synthroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid -- and I have to say that I've met some of her patients on T-4 meds, and they felt WELL. She only prescribes the T-3 meds for those who don't feel well on the T-4 meds despite a lowered TSH -- or, if a patient asks.
She believes in getting the TSH down to 1 or lower --which is all that's needed for many on T-4 meds alone. If necessary, she will prescribe enough T-4 med to raise a person's T-4 level slightly above the normal range. In this way, I suspect that she makes up for the little bit of T-3 that the human thyroid would make.
<img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Well, it would be great to hear the experiences of different people. Those who do well on Armour and those who have had to rethink Armour, perhaps working out their dose, etc.
