CancerCompass message board discussion started by millda on 4/16/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23111,0.htm Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I had a total thyroidectomy and treatment for thyroid cancer 18 months ago.  I have been on synthroid 150 mcg since except for my follow up exam that ended up with me off the medication for 8 wks-horrible experience.  I am constantly hungry, even though I am gaining weight.  I am tired, and have no sex drive.  I have been trying to research options, and found that many people have chosen to switch to armour thyroid for hypothyroidism.  Is this a possibility or does anyone know anything about this medication?  My doctor will not discuss it with me. millda Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT What is the difference between Armour thyroid and the levothyroxine sodium drugs? Primarily, Armour provides BOTH T4 and T3 thyroid hormones, instead of just providing T4, as levothyroxine sodium drugs like Synthroid do. Current endocrinology practice believes that T4-only drugs are the ONLY appropriate thyroid hormone replacement drugs. The prevailing opinion is that everyone converts all the T4 needed into T3 automatically, and that drugs such as Armour and Thyrolar are outdated and old-fashioned at best.  You can find a lot of hotly debated discussions on this topic, even on this site. Some doctors are even vehement about this, and swear that Armour has consistency problems or is dangerous, despite the fact that is was the primary thyroid replacement hormone drug for years, until Synthroid came on the market.  Most people do fine on Synthroid, but NOT everyone.  For some patients switching to Armour makes a big difference with side effects.  If your doc wont discuss it, find a new doc who will take your side effects seriously. Oncrx Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT I had a TT in June 07 and was on synthroid only until Jan 08. Something just didn't feel right so I switched to a different endocrinologist when the first wouldn't even consider Armour. The second and current doctor considered Armour, but with the way my Free T3 and Free T4 numbers come out, I have to be on two meds... so I am now on Cytomel (T3) and Synthroid (T4). Being on a combo drug like Armour or Thyrolar won't control the two numbers separately. Make sure you research your own numbers and regulate with whatever meds work for you! Good luck! jmcd630 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT