From Synthroid to Armour Thyroid

Please note: This article originally appeared on It All Started with a Flutter {dot} com. This website has now been closed; however, we received such a strong reaction to the Synthroid to Armour post that we wanted to keep it accessible for others. We hope that you will stay a while and peruse our articles on organic living + business and blogging.

Switching from Synthroid to Armour Thyroid - Treat Hashimotos Hypothyroidism - Natural Dessicated Pig Thyroid Hormone

Two years ago, just after the birth of my son, frustrated, unhappy and downright sick, I started to research my thyroid disease further. I knew that I had Hashimoto’s (an auto-immune disease that affects the thyroid to hypothyroidism). I knew that I was in a bad place and I knew that after my traditional endocrinologist suggested that it was all in my head (although my TSH was at 22.4), I had to make a change.

After riding a roller coaster ride of constant changes with my Synthroid medication, I had a hunch that changing my medication may make a difference. I sought out several Doctors with high reviews on several of the thyroid boards and after going to several, finally landed on one that was willing to prescribe Armour Thyroid.  My doctor at that time (I have since switched – more on that in a bit) chose a dose of Armour Thyroid (2 grains) similar to my then dose of Synthroid (175 mcg).

I noticed a few changes upon switching medications:

  1. After rechecking in one month, my TSH levels decreased from 22.4 to 5.3. (Definitely not ideal, but an obvious indication that the change in medication was needed.)
  2. Swelling in my face and hands decreased. Although it didn’t go away, the decrease in swelling was a win for me. I felt better about myself and could once again wear my wedding rings without discomfort.
  3. Decrease in dizziness and nausea. When my thyroid is out of whack, I get really dizzy and extremely nauseous. I had made a habit of stopping several times on the side of the road during simple trips to the grocery store or the drug store because I felt like I was going to lose my lunch. I felt like I was pregnant all over again, although I knew that I wasn’t. Getting any relief in this department was welcome!
  4. Increase in energy. It’s simple science that whenever your TSH decreases, you would see an increase in energy, but for a similar dosage of Armour to simply accomplish this, it was a welcome side effect.