Switched to compounded natural thyroid

jamingrs · 11-27-2009, 10:04 AM

Like most of you out there, I've been having trouble finding my precious Armour thryoid the past few months. Back in October, I had to call 8 pharmacies to find a pharmacy that had any, and then I think I experienced the "new formulation" for the first time. Within 10 days, all my symptoms came back and I felt like garbage.

I called my Dr. and he Rx'd me a natural compounded porcine thyroid med. I've been on 90 mg of Armour for almost three years. By the time I got it, I had run out of Armour and had been unmedicated for three days. I took one as soon as I received it on Wed 11/25. I was surprised to see it's a capsule, not a tablet. I felt much better within a couple hours. I took my second dose yesterday morning at 7:30 am(Thanksgiving) and felt great all day, better than I've felt in months. By the way, I always take my med just once a day, in the morning. I've tried splitting the dose, and feel better just taking it in the morning.

Last night, I tried to go to sleep as usual around 10:30 pm and couldn't, and then also had some loose stools. So I thought maybe I was overmedicated. I called my Dr. this morning, but he's off for the weekend. I then called the pharmacy and talked to one of the compounding pharmicists. I explained how I felt, and he said that their natural thryoid contains no fillers or bases of any kind, so my body would respond to it more quickly. Also the fact that I was unmedicated for three days could play a factor. He said to keep taking it through the weekend, and get back to my Dr. on Monday if I was still having issues.

Does this sound plausible? I finally did fall asleep around 2:30 am. and was up again at 7:30. The loose stools are gone, and I feel pretty good.
I know the T3 would be out of my system in three to four hours, so I'm not sure why I would have issues 15 hours after taking the med. My pulse is a little faster than usual, about 80-82. It's usually 70-72, but I have had no palpitations.

I haven't had my labs done since August, because I've been optimized for a while now. I'll be getting them done after the holidays.

Sorry this is so long, I'm just a little freaked out by what happened. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

nonstickpam107 · 11-27-2009, 03:08 PM

Most of us get SR compounded. Meaning slow release. I can't take the compounded all at once, but I have them split it into two capsules. One in the am one in the pm. You're gonna end up feeling pretty crappy if those are taken all at once. (as you already know).

I just went through that a couple months ago, so I went to the health store, bought capsules (unfilled..empty) and 'split' my own (that's prolly not a good thing to tell just anyone, but that's what I did).

Although the EFFECT of T3 is gone in about four hours, it can stay in system taken all at once and make you hyper...not good. My compounding pharm makes a strong no filler for me and I drop down 1/2 grain and he either does it SR or I have him split it up.

Pam

jamingrs · 11-27-2009, 04:03 PM

Thanks Pam! I didn't know you could buy empty capsules! I think I'll do that and split them in two and take one in the am and one in the afternoon. If that doesn't help I'll have to call the Dr., I guess.

nonstickpam107 · 11-27-2009, 05:16 PM

Well, first thing I'D do is call the compounding pharm who made that, and either ask for SR or ask for a 1.5grain capsule made times two. Any compounder can do either of those things. (IMHO, I'd rather have two 1.5grain capsules...cuz I've had a little too much 'fiber' used to make a capsule SR (slow release)).

I'm hearing what you are saying a LOT in the last couple of months...don't feel alone....some are backing down a half grain, some are going the SR route, some the split route, but MOST are just getting good ol' Thyroid from Canada.

Pam

Harmony1 · 12-06-2009, 02:00 PM

NonstickPam... earlier in this thread you said that even the tiniest bit of T3 would lower T4.... my daughter (19y.o.) that I told you about before is taking that tinest of doses 5 mcg a day split am/pm..... she is due for a new blood test in 10 days.... but is complaining of hyper symptoms... hot, trouble sleeping, hungry like a wolf... I think we should lower the amount of T4 without putting her through 10 days of suffering... what do you think? We are trying to get our endo to agree to giving her a porcine medication... if we change what she has been doing will that screw up the test results in 10 days? In 10 days it will be 30 days since the last change in medication - also a slight reduction in T4 . Now sh has been on 88mcg T4 until now....
Harmony1

Harmony1 · 12-06-2009, 02:02 PM

I feel like an idiot not understanding this.... but what exactly are you referring to when you all talk about compounding... is that mixing synthetic T4 and T3???
Harmony1

nonstickpam107 · 12-06-2009, 07:36 PM

No...I said the tiniest bit of Armour or T3 lowers TSH. Depends on how much T4 she is on. It depends on what her FT4, FT3 (with ranges please) look like on that much. If she's feeling hyper than you need to have her tested now, for both T4 and T3 (and about five hours after her split dose of Cytomel). Compounding is compounding dessicated natural porcine thyroid in powder form (like having already crushed up Armour or Naturethroid). They 'buffer and compound' it with other inert ingredients to slow it, etc. Only a pharmacist who is a compounding pharmacist is allowed to do that in the US.

Pam

wondermama · 02-26-2010, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

Most of us get SR compounded. Meaning slow release. I can't take the compounded all at once, but I have them split it into two capsules. One in the am one in the pm. You're gonna end up feeling pretty crappy if those are taken all at once. (as you already know).

I just went through that a couple months ago, so I went to the health store, bought capsules (unfilled..empty) and 'split' my own (that's prolly not a good thing to tell just anyone, but that's what I did).

Although the EFFECT of T3 is gone in about four hours, it can stay in system taken all at once and make you hyper...not good. My compounding pharm makes a strong no filler for me and I drop down 1/2 grain and he either does it SR or I have him split it up.

Pam

Pam, you mentioned your pharmacist makes compounded thyroid for you with NO fillers? I am taking T3 - quick-release - and take it several times per day. I am not interested in a SR formula. I am looking for NO fillers or something like sucrose or dextrose (from potato, not corn). The compounding pharmacies in my area mostly use cellulose - which I do not want. There is one that uses acidophilus, which I hear is good, but I'm not sure if I will tolerate it (have extreme delayed allergies) and would rather stick with things I know I can tolerate, or nothing at all.

Can you share the name and contact info for the pharmacy you use?

Thanks much!

nonstickpam107 · 02-26-2010, 09:08 PM

No, sorry I can't (unless you live in my state, are you in Indiana?) My compounding pharm has been swamped!! I've brought about 45 to him all over the USA and he told me to 'hold the phone'. He suspends mine in olive oil, btw, if you want to ask your compounding pharm to do the same?

Pam

11-27-2009, 10:04 AM	#1
jamingrs Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: southeast pennsylvania Posts: 300 Gallery: jamingrs Stats: 224.8/213.2/148 WOE: Atkins Start Date: Sometime in 2000	Switched to compounded natural thyroid Like most of you out there, I've been having trouble finding my precious Armour thryoid the past few months. Back in October, I had to call 8 pharmacies to find a pharmacy that had any, and then I think I experienced the "new formulation" for the first time. Within 10 days, all my symptoms came back and I felt like garbage. I called my Dr. and he Rx'd me a natural compounded porcine thyroid med. I've been on 90 mg of Armour for almost three years. By the time I got it, I had run out of Armour and had been unmedicated for three days. I took one as soon as I received it on Wed 11/25. I was surprised to see it's a capsule, not a tablet. I felt much better within a couple hours. I took my second dose yesterday morning at 7:30 am(Thanksgiving) and felt great all day, better than I've felt in months. By the way, I always take my med just once a day, in the morning. I've tried splitting the dose, and feel better just taking it in the morning. Last night, I tried to go to sleep as usual around 10:30 pm and couldn't, and then also had some loose stools. So I thought maybe I was overmedicated. I called my Dr. this morning, but he's off for the weekend. I then called the pharmacy and talked to one of the compounding pharmicists. I explained how I felt, and he said that their natural thryoid contains no fillers or bases of any kind, so my body would respond to it more quickly. Also the fact that I was unmedicated for three days could play a factor. He said to keep taking it through the weekend, and get back to my Dr. on Monday if I was still having issues. Does this sound plausible? I finally did fall asleep around 2:30 am. and was up again at 7:30. The loose stools are gone, and I feel pretty good. I know the T3 would be out of my system in three to four hours, so I'm not sure why I would have issues 15 hours after taking the med. My pulse is a little faster than usual, about 80-82. It's usually 70-72, but I have had no palpitations. I haven't had my labs done since August, because I've been optimized for a while now. I'll be getting them done after the holidays. Sorry this is so long, I'm just a little freaked out by what happened. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks! __________________ Starting over for the last time-this time I will succeed!

11-27-2009, 03:08 PM	#2
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 16,418 Gallery: nonstickpam107 Stats: 277/114/123 WOE: Started w/Atkins/Now BFFM Start Date: Nov. 23 2000	Most of us get SR compounded. Meaning slow release. I can't take the compounded all at once, but I have them split it into two capsules. One in the am one in the pm. You're gonna end up feeling pretty crappy if those are taken all at once. (as you already know). I just went through that a couple months ago, so I went to the health store, bought capsules (unfilled..empty) and 'split' my own (that's prolly not a good thing to tell just anyone, but that's what I did). Although the EFFECT of T3 is gone in about four hours, it can stay in system taken all at once and make you hyper...not good. My compounding pharm makes a strong no filler for me and I drop down 1/2 grain and he either does it SR or I have him split it up. Pam __________________ So many fireworks. So little time. "You can't get a patent on a pig part"

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11-27-2009, 04:03 PM	#3
jamingrs Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: southeast pennsylvania Posts: 300 Gallery: jamingrs Stats: 224.8/213.2/148 WOE: Atkins Start Date: Sometime in 2000	Thanks Pam! I didn't know you could buy empty capsules! I think I'll do that and split them in two and take one in the am and one in the afternoon. If that doesn't help I'll have to call the Dr., I guess.

11-27-2009, 05:16 PM	#4
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 16,418 Gallery: nonstickpam107 Stats: 277/114/123 WOE: Started w/Atkins/Now BFFM Start Date: Nov. 23 2000	Well, first thing I'D do is call the compounding pharm who made that, and either ask for SR or ask for a 1.5grain capsule made times two. Any compounder can do either of those things. (IMHO, I'd rather have two 1.5grain capsules...cuz I've had a little too much 'fiber' used to make a capsule SR (slow release)). I'm hearing what you are saying a LOT in the last couple of months...don't feel alone....some are backing down a half grain, some are going the SR route, some the split route, but MOST are just getting good ol' Thyroid from Canada. Pam

12-06-2009, 02:00 PM	#5
Harmony1 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 27 Gallery: Harmony1	NonstickPam... earlier in this thread you said that even the tiniest bit of T3 would lower T4.... my daughter (19y.o.) that I told you about before is taking that tinest of doses 5 mcg a day split am/pm..... she is due for a new blood test in 10 days.... but is complaining of hyper symptoms... hot, trouble sleeping, hungry like a wolf... I think we should lower the amount of T4 without putting her through 10 days of suffering... what do you think? We are trying to get our endo to agree to giving her a porcine medication... if we change what she has been doing will that screw up the test results in 10 days? In 10 days it will be 30 days since the last change in medication - also a slight reduction in T4 . Now sh has been on 88mcg T4 until now.... Harmony1

12-06-2009, 02:02 PM	#6
Harmony1 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 27 Gallery: Harmony1	I feel like an idiot not understanding this.... but what exactly are you referring to when you all talk about compounding... is that mixing synthetic T4 and T3??? Harmony1

12-06-2009, 07:36 PM	#7
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 16,418 Gallery: nonstickpam107 Stats: 277/114/123 WOE: Started w/Atkins/Now BFFM Start Date: Nov. 23 2000	No...I said the tiniest bit of Armour or T3 lowers TSH. Depends on how much T4 she is on. It depends on what her FT4, FT3 (with ranges please) look like on that much. If she's feeling hyper than you need to have her tested now, for both T4 and T3 (and about five hours after her split dose of Cytomel). Compounding is compounding dessicated natural porcine thyroid in powder form (like having already crushed up Armour or Naturethroid). They 'buffer and compound' it with other inert ingredients to slow it, etc. Only a pharmacist who is a compounding pharmacist is allowed to do that in the US. Pam

02-26-2010, 09:08 PM	#9
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 16,418 Gallery: nonstickpam107 Stats: 277/114/123 WOE: Started w/Atkins/Now BFFM Start Date: Nov. 23 2000	No, sorry I can't (unless you live in my state, are you in Indiana?) My compounding pharm has been swamped!! I've brought about 45 to him all over the USA and he told me to 'hold the phone'. He suspends mine in olive oil, btw, if you want to ask your compounding pharm to do the same? Pam