lydia,
I don't feel any different yet.
I also don't agree with the way this doctor is dosing the Armour. I was told to raise Armour by 1/2 grain every 2 weeks until I reach 3 grains. He put me on 1&1/2 grains and is leaving me there. I also read to dose based on the Free T-3 being at the top of the range. Mine is not.
I was going to switch doctors but decided to give this doctor more time. I'm seeing him again at the end of March.
He told me not to split the dosage. You don't think I listened to his advice do you? I went out and bought a pill cutter and take Armour 2X a day under the tongue.
Donna

Most people feel better right away with the addition of the T3 that's in Armour, I'm guessing that you need more. Hopefully the doctor will let you raise until your symptoms are resolved. My doctor doesn't even run the blood tests anymore, she just goes by my symptoms.

Good luck and keep us updated!

If you don't mind me asking, what is Armour and what do you take it for, Donna?

I believe it's for the thyroid...right?

Yes, Bearcat is right. It is a natural thyroid medication for people with hypothyroidism.

Lydia, do you try to do all natural, oraganic diet and supplements? And does Donna? Because I'm trying to swtich over but it's kind of tough.

Not me Bigbaby, I can't speak for Donna though. I spend too much already on food and vitamins without going organic. I can't do the Armour thyroid either (although I've tried a couple times), I use a synthetic hormone.

lidia,
I'm still not understanding why Armour didn't work for you. I don't think this doctor will up the Armour since he feels my labs are normal. Below is a thyroid forum that I have been posting on.
bigbaby,
I've been organic, holistic for at least 15 years. What would you like to know?
Donna

Here is a link that might be useful: Thyroid forum

Donna, that's a good forum. NonstickPam can be very helpful.

I'm pretty sure the Armour thyroid didn't work for me because I have a reverse T3 or a conversion problem. I feel so much better on Cytomel than I did on Armour or straight Synthroid.

You might want to try a doctor listed on the TOP DOC website. Most of them will pay attention to symptoms and not just labs. That's where I found the doctor that finally diagnosed me (after numerous misdiagnoses from other doctors!!).

Here is a link that might be useful: Top Doc website

lidia,
Scroll down on that website and look under Illinois. My Doctor is Dr. Stolar who is no longer listed. Look up Dr. Alan Bain, D.O. I called him and he answered the phone himself. We talked for a few minutes and he said some strange things to me. I got a weird vibe from him. I'm going to give Dr. Stolar a little more time.
Donna

I wouldn't want to go to a doctor that gave me 'weird vibes'. lol The good thing is there seem to be a lot listed in the Chicago area... so if Stolar doesn't work out, you can try another.

I found this review on Dr. Bain who was highly rated on the "list".

Here is a link that might be useful: Doctor ratings

lidia,
There aren't many listings in the city. The suburbs are too far away.

I know what you mean. The doctor I go to is an hour and 15 minutes away... I try to do some shopping while I am there. Thankfully once you are stable on meds, you only go every 3 or 4 months... and eventually just once a year.

lidia,
I don't have a car so the city is my only option. Many doctors won't prescribe Armour.
Donna

Donna, I switched over last year. I got off all of my medications and was working with a naturopath in Oklahoma--all over the internet. Went on a restrictive diet with no gluten, sugar, dairy, additives, artificial anything. My biggest problem is that I have had these horrible itchy bumps which the naturopath said are due to detoxing. I'm so danged sick of them! They are extremely itchy and last about a week. I usually have 6 to 10 of them at any given time.

Then I decided to switch to a guy that lived in my area who does accupuncture, oriental medicine and is a chiropractor. That's going okay except that I have been really sick and was diagnosed with pneumonia this morning, so...antibiotics, etc. I'm going to have to abandon the holistic, naturpath thing until the pneumonia is gone. Anyway, I was just thinking it would be nice to connect with someone who is also trying to live a different lifestyle.

After years of taking Synthroid with no good results I found another Dr. who has put me on Armour. I take 2 grains daily, in the morning. I was not given any instructions on not eating after taking it, splitting the dose and taking it at 2 different times or taking it under the tongue. It has been a week and I feel no results. Am I doing something wrong?

I am very interested in the holistic approach and would love to learn more.

vickij,
Check out the forum that I linked in one of my above posts. Also check out Mary Shomon's site and Stop The Thyroid Maddness site. There is so much info on Armour.
bigbaby,
I commend you for trying to live a more healthy lifestyle. There is a lot of info to help you learn about a natural life. I like Dr. Andrew Weil's books.
As far as eating, try to eat foods in their natural state, i.e. from the ground, the sky, the water, not a box, bag or can. Eat a lot of fish, brown rice, fruit, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, small amounts of antibiotic free meats, whole wheat pasta, (unless you are going gluten free), organic dark chocolate, 60% or higher Cocoa. STAY AWAY from sugar, too much dairy, chips and all junk foods, cookies, cakes etc., meats injected with growth hormones, soft drinks, juices, alchohol, anything out of a box, bag, (except frozen veggies), or can. You get the picture. Try and walk daily and live a stress free lifestyle.
Listen to your body!!! If something doesn't feel right find out why. Western medicine loves to throw pills at any symptom. Sometimes pills are a necessary evil. Most times a lifestyle change would benefit more. Do you know what the number one risk factor for heart disease and cancer is? Constipation. That's why diet is so important.
You only have this one body. Put the best foods you can afford in it. Organic is best if you can pay the prices. Nourish your body with fresh healthy foods and it will give you many years of vitality. Try and keep stress levels low and get a good nights sleep.
Donna

I'm curious as to why doctors are so reluctant to prescribe Armour. Can anyone tell me? (I've thought one of my daughters might have a screwy thyroid, but she's always checked out alright with her labs, all three of them. If in the future she does find out it's low, I'd like to have information on the subject because my kids don't ask doctors many questions!)

Sjerin - From www.drlowe.com "After all, they [the endocrinologist] really have no scientific defense for prescribing only T4 products, which are ineffective for and harmful to many patients. In general, their choice of Synthroid is not based on science; instead, itÂs based on the flagrant conflict of interest between high-profile opinion-makers in their specialty and, in the US, Abbott Laboratories, which markets Synthroid."

Did your DD have her thyroid antibodies checked? Most doctors don't run those tests. All my tests were normal except for my antibodies. If she has a lot of hypothyroid or hyperthyroid symptoms even with a normal tsh she can still have a thyroid problem! Some doctors won't treat a patient with a normal tsh (1 doctor wouldn't treat me ...although she gasped when she saw my high antibodies)... you just need to find the right doctor.