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Thyroid (Expert Forum)
Conversion from Armour to Synthroid
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Dr. Mark Lupo. Topics covered include goiter, graves disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, thyroid cancers, thyroiditis, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
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Conversion from Armour to Synthroid
by NURSELPN, Feb 14, 2007 12:00AM
Hi Dr. Mark,
You answer plenty of questions so I don't imagine you remember my history. Very quickly, I have Graves disease & TED. I was treated with I-131 2 years ago & have been on Armour since. Prior to my hyperthyroid development I had been hypo & was on Synthroid for 23 years & seemed to do well for the most part until the Graves hit. My eyes are now pretty much ok, in the past year (I've had two decompressions & eye muscle surgery on the rt. & ptosis surgery on the lt.eye. One more to go to bring my rt. lower lid back up. Finally :-)
On 02/01/07 lab was
TSH 0.10 (0.40-5.50) a little low but my doctor has been paying attention to the free t-3 & free t-4 also.
Free T-3 375 (230-420)
Free T-4 1.3 (0.8-1.8)
I've been on Armour 180mg (90mg in AM & 90mg in PM). For insurance purposes I need to switch to Synthroid. I do not want my levels to go crazy again. Can you give me any idea what the dose of Synthroid I will need to replace the Armour. My doctor had no idea but gave me a script for 0.75 mcgs to start with. Can you help us?
Thank You, It's good to have you back.
Jean
You answer plenty of questions so I don't imagine you remember my history. Very quickly, I have Graves disease & TED. I was treated with I-131 2 years ago & have been on Armour since. Prior to my hyperthyroid development I had been hypo & was on Synthroid for 23 years & seemed to do well for the most part until the Graves hit. My eyes are now pretty much ok, in the past year (I've had two decompressions & eye muscle surgery on the rt. & ptosis surgery on the lt.eye. One more to go to bring my rt. lower lid back up. Finally :-)
On 02/01/07 lab was
TSH 0.10 (0.40-5.50) a little low but my doctor has been paying attention to the free t-3 & free t-4 also.
Free T-3 375 (230-420)
Free T-4 1.3 (0.8-1.8)
I've been on Armour 180mg (90mg in AM & 90mg in PM). For insurance purposes I need to switch to Synthroid. I do not want my levels to go crazy again. Can you give me any idea what the dose of Synthroid I will need to replace the Armour. My doctor had no idea but gave me a script for 0.75 mcgs to start with. Can you help us?
Thank You, It's good to have you back.
Jean
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., Feb 16, 2007 12:00AM
, Feb 16, 2007 12:00AM
0.075mg is too little -- would likely need to start with 0.137-0.150mg and check labs every 4-6 weeks until stable -- you may even need as much as 0.175-0.200. -- it is important to keep the TSH stable given the TED. Also consider just paying out of pocket for the armour rather than incurring the high insurance copay. Good luck.
In using conversion tables at the higher doses (ie 180mg) I have found the 'equivalent' synthroid dose to be too high several times.....
In using conversion tables at the higher doses (ie 180mg) I have found the 'equivalent' synthroid dose to be too high several times.....
Thanks,
Jean
I'm considering it. Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.
Jean
Stopthethyroidmadness.com
I would have spent any amount of money to have been on Armour since RAI for Graves these last 15 years instead of the synthetics.
Olyveoil
Suffers, Suffered, Suffering