16th February 2007
O.k. here is my opinion and a little of my background with this sort of situation.
I've had thryoid problems for about 6 years now and have tried the different concoctions to feel well. My thyroid causes the heart palps as well if my levels are off, so bad so that 2 years ago I went to a cardiologist to make sure nothing else was going on. Just thyroid related.
I started out on Unithroid almost 6 years ago. I did well for a while but never felt really good and stayed more tired. I finally found a dr that tested FT3 and found mine was quite low. I was switched to Thyrolar which my body didn't do well with so we tried the Unithroid with Cytomel. I also didn't do very well with the cytomel, heart palps worse if I got too much. My dr then switched me back to the Unithroid and added 1/2 grain Nature Throid (basically same as Armour). This combination worked well for me. Now all this took place over about a years time.
Now my dr moved a couple months ago and the dr that took her place did some bloodwork, found my FT4 a little high and adjusted my dose, they tested 6 weeks later, still high, adjusted again by switched me to Armour with just a little Unithroid. Tried to tell her I needed the Unithroid more and just a little Armour but she wanted me to try it. Well not working. Now my levels are all srewed up.
I now have a new dr and he doesn't understand why they took me off the Nature Throid if I was doing well with it, so he put me back on it and raised the Unithroid just a bit. He will work with me over time to get my levels back to where they need to be.
So now here is what I've learned.
For me the added T3 did wonders. I felt sooo much better once it was added but my FT3 does need to be watched so I don't get too much or I get heart palps. I like the combination of Unithroid and nature Throid better because for me it worked well. The Armour though basically the same makes my legs ache and gives me leg cramps (a listed side effect of it) I don't recall ever getting leg cramps with Nature Throid. I've never tried Synthroid but know others that did and didn't do well on it, but there are those that do well on it so its really an individual thing.
Cytomel for me was not good, I just didn't do well with it, but it may work fine for you.
The advantage of Nature Throid or Armour over Cytomel is that you also get the other T's in it. Cytomel is only T3, but the other 2 have traces of the other T's that your thyroid produce. Drs really don't know what the other T's do, but T2 is linked to metabolism.
My opinion.....If you can find a dr that will prescribe Armour or Nature Throid, try it with a synthetic T4. I'd start with only 1/2 grain since you already have the heart palps you probably would do well on the 1/2 grain and not need any more than that.
Also, if you are not taking magnesium it would be a good idea to take some, like magnesium citrate which absorbs well. It will helps the heart palps a lot.
You also mentioned having other things tested for deficiencies. Be sure to have potassium checked. Your malfunctioning thyroid can cause potassium deficiency. Eat those bananas!
I've had thryoid problems for about 6 years now and have tried the different concoctions to feel well. My thyroid causes the heart palps as well if my levels are off, so bad so that 2 years ago I went to a cardiologist to make sure nothing else was going on. Just thyroid related.
I started out on Unithroid almost 6 years ago. I did well for a while but never felt really good and stayed more tired. I finally found a dr that tested FT3 and found mine was quite low. I was switched to Thyrolar which my body didn't do well with so we tried the Unithroid with Cytomel. I also didn't do very well with the cytomel, heart palps worse if I got too much. My dr then switched me back to the Unithroid and added 1/2 grain Nature Throid (basically same as Armour). This combination worked well for me. Now all this took place over about a years time.
Now my dr moved a couple months ago and the dr that took her place did some bloodwork, found my FT4 a little high and adjusted my dose, they tested 6 weeks later, still high, adjusted again by switched me to Armour with just a little Unithroid. Tried to tell her I needed the Unithroid more and just a little Armour but she wanted me to try it. Well not working. Now my levels are all srewed up.
I now have a new dr and he doesn't understand why they took me off the Nature Throid if I was doing well with it, so he put me back on it and raised the Unithroid just a bit. He will work with me over time to get my levels back to where they need to be.
So now here is what I've learned.
For me the added T3 did wonders. I felt sooo much better once it was added but my FT3 does need to be watched so I don't get too much or I get heart palps. I like the combination of Unithroid and nature Throid better because for me it worked well. The Armour though basically the same makes my legs ache and gives me leg cramps (a listed side effect of it) I don't recall ever getting leg cramps with Nature Throid. I've never tried Synthroid but know others that did and didn't do well on it, but there are those that do well on it so its really an individual thing.
Cytomel for me was not good, I just didn't do well with it, but it may work fine for you.
The advantage of Nature Throid or Armour over Cytomel is that you also get the other T's in it. Cytomel is only T3, but the other 2 have traces of the other T's that your thyroid produce. Drs really don't know what the other T's do, but T2 is linked to metabolism.
My opinion.....If you can find a dr that will prescribe Armour or Nature Throid, try it with a synthetic T4. I'd start with only 1/2 grain since you already have the heart palps you probably would do well on the 1/2 grain and not need any more than that.
Also, if you are not taking magnesium it would be a good idea to take some, like magnesium citrate which absorbs well. It will helps the heart palps a lot.
You also mentioned having other things tested for deficiencies. Be sure to have potassium checked. Your malfunctioning thyroid can cause potassium deficiency. Eat those bananas!