Re: Digest Number 2598

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/21/04 4:26:09 PM, Barb writes:

> Actually, only the Hypermobile type does not have any genetic testing

> associated with it. (etc.)

>

....ah. Somehow I missed those bits of information. How odd, to have that

fundamental knowledge off...

[Guest guest]

You still went up too fast. Here's the scenario----The dose of Armour you

first took (the 30 mgs) did not make it's full debut until around the 4th to

8th wk of treatment, at which point you were already taking either 1.5

grains or 2.0, one or the other. Neither one of THOSE dosage regimens will

have made their full debut until 6 to 8 wks from the time you started those

doses. So, in essence, your T4 has not YET made it's full debut, since T4

in the Armour is the storage hormone, which means that it GRADUALLY converts

to T3, but is " held back " into storage in the meantime. When a person is

desperately hypo, it does convert a little faster, but there is NO

documentation to say that it converts MUCH faster than that. If you've only

been back on the Armour for about what, 2 wks??, then none of these doses

have made their full debut, except for MAYBE the 30 mgs, and I say that

loosely. I know, the actual thyroid function itself is downplayed with the

introduction of a very small amt of thyroid, BUT, when coming on up from the

30 mgs, then that all changes. There is no information that says otherwise.

The only people who can generally get away with high doses that fast are

those who are already having trouble converting T4 to T3 and can't feel the

difference because they're not converting rapidly anyway, OR they are

thyroid hormone resistant in their body cells. I would hope that someone

who brings their dosage up this fast has a very strong heart because they

are going to need it. It didn't take us a few wks to get this way, so it's

not going to take a few wks to correct all this. It takes a LOT of time and

patience, and there are going to be some errors, as there would be even if

we were under the care of a good doctor, not self treating.

Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2005 19:19:15 -0000

Subject: Re: Startup dosing for Armour.

> Is there an item (posted to the list, in the files, or on another

web page)

> that has the start up of Armour.

>

> What I am looking for is what dose to start up on, and the `guide

lines' for

> stepping the dose up. The time

> between increases and what to watch for to indicate I may be

moving up too

> fast.

>

> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

>

> GS

Well, as a person who is trying Armour for the second time, I can

make a recommendation. The first time I started high-ish trying to

start near the equiv of my synthroid... then increase up to equiv.

It was too high to start and too fast moving up, both. The too high

dose resulted in crying, panic, paranoia... I understand you can

also get rapid heartbeat, etc... I never got that myself. All my

ugly side effects were mental. I went back on the synthroid, but

after some months was doing worse than ever. I restarted the armour

several weeks ago. I started on only half a grain... waited two

weeks, moved to 1 grain... 2 more weeks... 1.5 grains. At that

point I noticed a little mental trouble but only for a couple days.

I rode it out because I wasn't having any other signs of od. I just

moved up to 2 grains a few days ago. Noticed again the depression,

panic... but again just for a couple days. My temp is still well

below normal, my pulse slow, heartbeat weak... etc. So I know I'm

not there yet where I need to be. But I have found - thanks to the

advice here on the list - that starting low and moving up slowly is

actually working for me this time. And though I'm not at optimum

dose yet, I'm WAY better right now than I was on the " optimum "

synthroid.

~Alyce