Unable to Tolerate Synthetic Thyroid Meds
Posted , 13 users are following.
Greetings,
I cannot tolerate any synthetic thyroid medicine even though I am hypothyroid. The synthetics cause fatigue and muscle weakness, no matter how low the dose. Are there some people that cannot tolerate synthetics and have to use natural (i.e., pig) thyroid?
Thank you!
0 likes, 36 replies
shellyC19 fishingguy
Posted
My name is Shelly and I am a nurse in the USA. I have Hashimoto's Thyroid disease since 1987.
I can't take Levo because of a T4 converting problem and for many years I took Armour Thyroid. I am now on just T3 Liothyronine and am doing well on that alone.
Many on this forum for one reason or another take the Natural Dessicated Thyroid, (NDT's), and some use Thyroid S and Nature's Thyroid and Thyroid W.
The pig is very close to our human thyroid and was the Original thyroid meds before the synthetic's were made.
If you are in the UK the NHS does not have NDT's (naturals) in their formularies and will not prescribe it so you have to buy it on your own.
I hope this helps you,
Shelly
fishingguy shellyC19
Posted
I did recently try Armour, but it caused some side effects as well. I found out that Armour was bought out twice within the last two years (by two different companies) and since then people have been complaining about the formulation. I am now looking at compounded NDT to make sure that there are no fillers that I am allergic to, etc.
Tutu123 fishingguy
Posted
I'm the same. Only made the symptoms worse by taking levothyroxine.
I would like to try NDT as I have heard good things about it.
There are lots of people who tend to feel worse on synthetic meds, they don't work for everyone.
fishingguy Tutu123
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Tutu123 fishingguy
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barbara98940 fishingguy
Posted
Talking of quality, are you aware that thyroxine is allowed to vary +- 10% from it's stated efficacy? Which means that one might be getting anything from 90mcg to 110mcg when taking a 100mcg tablet! To minimise this it is best to stick to the same brand of levothyroxine.
fishingguy barbara98940
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Thanks again.
fishingguy Tutu123
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Tutu123 barbara98940
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I didn't realise this was the case with levothyroxine. Do you know if brands differ in the UK? All of my tablets say "levothyroxine" but I don't know if it's all generic in the UK. Sometimes the packets are different colours etc.
barbara98940 fishingguy
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barbara98940 Tutu123
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fishingguy barbara98940
Posted
Gigi356 fishingguy
Posted
Hey there....I realize I am like a year late with this response, but I, too, and unable to tolerate any thyroid medication. Don't even know where to begin... I am wondering, though, if you have had any success since your original post. Thanks!
barbara98940 Gigi356
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Gigi356 barbara98940
Posted
I've heard of ThyroGold; I think it's made w/cow. I've actually purchased Pure Encapsulations Thyroid Complex at the recommendation of my doc. It seemed to have worked for a while, but I tried not taking it everyday after I went on WP Thyroid. WP was okay; I lasted a couple months on it but all the strange, uncomfortable symptoms creeped in.
There's just way too much to type regarding the battle I have had w/all thyroid meds over the last 10 years. It's so frustrating. I always have to go off, then feel sooo much better, more clear-headed and somewhat "normal".... to symptoms coming back, once I'm off for a couple months. I've journaled meds, diet, different strategies if the Med, etc. etc. Its a big puzzle. I decided yesterday (a Saturday, since I was not working) to try a synthetic again-Levoxyl...fourth or fifth time...and not revert back desiccated pig. Well, I'm still feeling the horrible effects of my hell yesterday...symptoms that were NOT there Friday or when I woke up. I know now after yesterday, I won't take a chance ever taking that again. Now I know. can't even begin to explain how I felt.
Sooo, I may try the ThyroGold, thanks! I just wasn't sure if it was safe. Good luck to everyone out there! I know, it sucks!
barbara98940 Gigi356
Posted
I've been on ThyroGold since June 2015 with the blessing of my UK GP who is running monthly blood tests for me. Yes it's a bovine NDT (made from cow's thyroid). Like you say, it was scary taking it, not knowing whether it was safe.l (I'm very wary buyo g stuff off the internet).
WP thyroid made me swell up - it's a porcine NDT that's made without fillers, so it must be the pork that I'm allergic to. I have a number of food allergies & intolerances and can only tolerate eating pork occasionally. I've had no adverse effects from ThyroGold - I just wish I'd found it years ago. If you are in UK you will have to pay 20% VAT and a customs handling charge of £8 on the parcel before Royal Mail will release it. Hope it works for you too.
fishingguy Gigi356
Posted
I am now off all thyroid meds and am due to have my thyroid levels rechecked in about 2 weeks. Lately, my TSH has hovered between 7.1 and 8.6. My endo stated that some people in their 50's feel better with a TSH between 5 and 7. I guess I'll find out soon what my TSH is. I am not as weak, however, as I was when I was on thyroid medicine. Also, I found out that I was low in Vitamin D and that can cause muscle weakness.
Gigi356 fishingguy
Posted
I usually end up going off all thyroid meds, as they make me feel worse. I just don't get it. My TSH has always been around 4.5--the highest about five years ago was 6...but most endos I've been to say it needs to be below 2.5-ish to feel best. I've had nothing but contradictions and confusion from all docs. After being off meds for about 1.5-2 months, though, symptoms start creeping back in. Again, this past Saturday, I only took 1/2 of .25 of Levoxyl...had tried it at least four other times before and lasted a few weeks...however never again. I'm still feeling crappy today. Not sure what the answer is.....still.
barbara98940 Gigi356
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fishingguy barbara98940
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Thanks. I did have my adrenals checked years ago and another Endo's office (using the ACTH test) and everything was fine. I'm not sure I ever had a saliva test done, however.
fishingguy Gigi356
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When my TSH was 1.5, I felt weak all the time and lost body hair. (I was on 50 mcg. of Levoxyl). I have felt better now that I'm off of all thyroid meds. I think the TSH range has changed through the years.
barbara98940 fishingguy
Posted
I've just pm'd you the name of a website with ideas of other things that might help
barbara98940 Gigi356
Posted
I concur with what you've already worked out: you need thyroid meds but none of them are helping. I've pm'd you the name of a website you might find useful.
fishingguy barbara98940
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sandra06722 barbara98940
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Dear @barbara98940. Could you please dm-me the websites as I am going through the same issues most of the people here are experiencing. Cannot tolerate any levo with very serious side effects (problems breathing, not being able to sleep and many more). I would be really grateful.
KeenyKey barbara98940
Posted
I know this thread is quite old, but I have the same problem of not being able to tolerate thyroid hormone (synthetic or natural) despite having hypothyroidism. Can you send me the link to the website as well?
KeenyKey sandra06722
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Sandra, were you able to find relief from your symptoms? I've spent years looking for an answer and still don't have one.
barbara98940 KeenyKey
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A really good website that's a UK charity, is thyroiduk.