Re: taking Westhroid, having terrible joint and muscle pain...and still exhausted

[Guest guest]

Hi

You appear to have been suffering for quite some time now with no respite whatsoever. I am really sorry to hear this and hope things take a turn for the better soon.

As far as I am aware, you should be swallowing the Westhroid and not taking it sublingually.

Getting 'dire rear' as a consequence of changing your thyroid medication must have been such a shock, especially as it caused you such frustration. I am wondering whether you actually need just plain old Liothyronine (T3) on its own, because from your symptoms you have mentioned lately, this could well be the answer. Is it possible to get a new thyroid function test done to see where your Free T4 and Free T3 lie. If you can get these, post them here, together with the reference range for each test - but remember, do not take your thyroid medication 24 hours before you have the test, as this could give a completely false reading.

Do you have any food allergies at all, because you might be intolerant of one of the fillers that is in Westhroid, which some people are. Because of this, the manufacture produced a hypoallergenic natural thyroid medication called Nature-Throid and International Pharmacy sell this too. This medication is bound by microcrystalline cellulose, which is a derivative from paper, and does not cause allergic reactions. Some doctors prescribe Nature-Throid when they have any questions about their patient's sensitivities to food. Further, according to Nature-Throid's manufacturer, patients who have had allergy symptoms when taking Armour have found that switching to Nature-Throid eliminates these problems. According to Western, Westhroid and Nature-Throid are hormonally IDENTICAL - the only difference is the binding ingredients. So, for some people (who do not have food allergies), switching between Westhroid and Nature-Throid will have no consequence, they will still receive a consistent treatment for their thyroid problem. You may need to switch to Nature Throid. Here is a list of the inactive ingredients in Westhroid - and there is quite a lot:

Microcrystalline Cellulose – Synthetically derived fiber base (similar to plant-derived). It is typically utilized as a filler in a tablet (to provide volume and bulk).Dicalcium Phosphate – Derived from a mined ore. It is typically utilized as a binder in a tablet (to hold all the ingredients during compression).Colloidal Silicon Dioxide – Derived from a mined ore. It is typically utilized as a natural desiccant in a tablet (to provide barrier from moisture and humidity).Sodium Starch Glycolate – Synthetically derived starch molecule (similar to potato starch). It is typically utilized as a disintegrating agent in a tablet (to aid in proper disintegration of the tablet in the stomach).Magnesium Stearate – Derived from a vegetable source (typically palm oil). It is typically utilized as a lubricating agent in a tablet (to aid in proper compression of the tablet).Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose - Derived from a plant cellulose base (typically cotton blend and or wood pulp). It is typically utilized as a granulating agent in a tablet (to provide bulk and density to the tablet for proper compression) as well as part of a clear coating solution (with PEG).Stearic Acid – Derived from a vegetable source (typically palm oil). It is typically utilized as a binder in a tablet (to hold all the ingredients during compression).Carnauba Wax – Derived from the pores of the leaves of the Brazilian wax palm tree. It is utilized in the final stage in tablet coating (to provide a complete seal).Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) – Synthetically derived. It is utilized with Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose as part of the clear coating solution.Lactose Monohydrate* - Present in traceable amount as part of Thyroid USP (diluent).

I hope you find the cause soon of why you still have so much pain, but meanwhile, do telephone Dr P and ask him about the possibility of you needing just T3 and tell him of your reaction to Westhroid.

Mind you , having said all that, you are only on your second week of taking thyroid extract.

Luv and big (((HUGS))) - Sheila x

Hi All,I have been absent from the forum lately...can't concentrate on anything and feel really exhausted.I am on week 4 of my programme from Dr. P and am taking Westhroid because of the problems of getting Armour. I am on my second week of taking one grain, am taking 3 NAE and 2000mg of Vit C as well as the usual vits and minerals I should be taking...you all know the drill there.I have a couple of questions if that is ok...Should I be taking the Westhroid sublingually?Why am I getting daily (though not urgent)diarrohea?(I had an 'accident' yesterday and it is soul destroying to feel so out of control)Why am I still getting so many pains?Why am I still so exhausted...needing to sleep if I do anything at all?I

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[Guest guest]

> You appear to have been suffering for quite some time now with no

respite whatsoever.

Yes, I know...and honestly, I am not being a hypochondriac. I am

slightly better than before seeing Dr. P....have actually managed to

get out but only for an hour or so, and did some housework too! I

know you are all suffering so I apologise for complaining so much.

......................................................................

I am wondering whether you actually need just plain old Liothyronine

(T3) on its own, ...is it possible to get a new thyroid function test

done

I think you may be right here but I have so little money at the

moment I can't afford any tests that MAY be unnecessary...will give

it another couple of weeks and contact Dr. P. to discuss..thanks for

the suggestion

.......................................................................

> Do you have any food allergies at all, because you might be

intolerant of one of the fillers

OMG Sheila, I had no idea there were so many fillers in Westhroid...I

only purchased that over Nature-throid because of the availability at

the time of the strength I needed. Maybe I need to just cut my

losses and buy Nature-throid after all. Damn the NHS failing to

treat me...half my income goes on all these meds and vits.

......................................................................

> I hope you find the cause soon of why you still have so much

pain... Mind you , having said all that, you are only on your

second week of taking thyroid extract.

>

I know it is early in my treatment and I am sorry for moaning but I

was wondering if I had missed something...which maybe I have...there

is so much information in the messages posted it is difficult to keep

up..and sometimes I ask about something possibly already discussed.

Thank you for all the information and good wishes Sheila - you are

really an angel and a real saviour for so many of us who continue to

feel we are going quietly bonkers!!!

>

x