Guest guest Posted March 28, 2007 Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 Mrs. A: I've been on thyroid meds since about 1980. I first started on Armour (that's all there was) and then at some point was switched to Synthyroid (around 1988). I asked my pharmacist at the time what the difference was and he said the synthetic thyroid was much more stable and much more measurable in terms of how many milligrams of the hormone you are actually using. Pharmacists are really your best source of info on this. Then, a few years ago after coming across info on the net which said that " natural " (Armour thyroid) was the way to go, not that synthetic stuff - and it said all sorts of other things that led me down a path of alternatives (probably at a time I didn't need to even try it because I was caring for my elderly Mom at the time and was pretty close to insane). But yes, any time you switch thyroid meds you should quit one and go to the next one the next day ... no weening off is required. In addition, that doctor should have you come in about six weeks after you started the new meds and run a blood test to see if the new prescribed amount is appropriate. As you noted, the milligram levels are very, very different -- synthyroid is much more concentrated. From the amounts you gave I'd say the doctor was right on track - the amounts of synthyroid vs. Armour are very similar to mine with I was messing with things. Final chapter: about a year ago my OB/Gyn (who I really like) asked my why I was taking Armour instead of synthyroid. I shrugged my shoulders and said " because I read somewhere it was really better. " She explained to me what the pharmacist had years ago: synthyroid gives a much more precise dose, and then she said " But OK, DEDE -- if you just WANT TO take ground up pig Thymus that's OK with me! " I looked at her and decided to embrace modern medicine once again. Something to consider: What else is going on with you that could be giving you these symptoms -- those are not necessarily symptoms related to low thyroid. Dede Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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