Armour Thyroid or Synthroid? Hypothyroid Disease in Men

The following is not medical advice and only my personal experience. Always seek the advice of a physician before making a medical decision.

My wife is a Registered Nurse and her suggestion has made a huge improvement in my life. I was placed on Synthroid when I was 19 years old for being hypothyroid at a serious level. It was determined that I had gone undiagnosed for a significant period of time. This certainly was no fault of mine and had gone over and over again to the physician with complaints of hypothyroidism. However, I was always told that someone as young as myself and being a male made it impossible for me to be hypothyroid. My physician refused to run a TSH test. I finally demanded a test and sure enough my TSH levels were through the roof!

I was placed on Synthyroid and showed some improvement right away, however I NEVER felt 100% like I did prior to becoming hypothyroid. I would bring this up to physicians from time to time and they would brush my comments aside. Sometimes they would order another TSH because of my numerous complaints that the Synthroid just wasn't cutting it. The results of the TSH would come back normal. My requests to get a prescription of Armour Thyroid or Thyrolar instead of Synthyroid were always met with a lecture on how Synthroid was better. I argued the need for T3 and was told that the body naturally breaks down the T4 into T3 so there was no need for something such as Armour Thyroid. After this scenario being repeated several time I eventually gave up on ever getting off of Sythroid and on something better.

I am now remarried to a very smart Registered Nurse who has changed my life for the better in so many ways. I admire her at so many levels and feel truly lucky to have such a lifetime companion. I have always complained of fatigue and being tired and no matter how many naps and the proper amount of sleep I would always feel like I needed to sleep. Depression was ruled out as a source. My wife suggested that we read together several books about Hypothyroidism. We read these books together and further researched things online for several months. After digesting all of the knowledge and patient accounts my wife strongly urged me to get off of Synthroid and on one of the T3/T4 combo treatments for hypothyroidism.

I am happy to say that the Armour Thyroid after being on it for three months has boosted my day to day energy levels. I am always one to be extra cautious over the miracles of medicine and the first thought was perhaps this was the placebo effect. However, the change has kept my energy levels up for several months now and the effect of T3 on the body does suggest that patients have more energy throughout the day. The change has been significant! I am able to focus better and my energy level stays consistent throughout the day. I no longer feel the need for sleep except for when people normally do - at night! My general mood has also improved tremendously mostly likely because of not feeling tired throughout the day. I used to drink coffee to keep myself going and now I stay away from most anything that has caffeine in it. My life has changed and I have my wonderful wife to thank for her support and encouragement to finally try something other than Synthroid.

I learned much along the way such as:

1. Synthroid can actually cause hair thinning or hair loss. Google it - the information is everywhere.

2. Most patients feel better on a T3/T4 Combo treatment. Studies are proving this to be a fact that physicians can no longer afford to ignore!

3. Armour Thyroid provides T1, T2, and T3 which Synthroid can not!

4. Synthroid's past shows more stability problems than compared to Armour Thyroid.

5. If you switch to a T3/T4 combo treatment it is usually best to take it BID (twice a day) because of the fact that the T3 has a short half-life.

I can make several recommendations based on my personal experiences:

1. Buy the book "Living Well With Hypothyroidism" by Mary J. Shomon. I found this book to be very helpful. I have it linked below at Amazon.com if you would like to research further and perhaps purchase this book.

2. Keep up to date on the latest in thyroid treatment by subscribing to this newsletter.

3. If your physician refuses to switch you from Synthroid over to a T3/T4 product - find another physician.

I hope that my experiences help others. I have much to be thankful for in my life and my wife is clearly at the top of the list.