>>If you want to use dessicated thyroid Armour I don't mind. Dessicated
thyroid was used for over 50 years succeesfully. The batch to batch
variation was a problem and i don't know if Armour has solved this.<<


Isn't that also the reason why manufacturers of synthetic T4 were told by
the FDA to file New Drug Applications?  It would appear that synthetic
thyroid hormon did not solve this either.

>>it tends to contain too much T3 relative to T4. This is why T4 replaced
it in the 50s and 60s when it became available and thyroid tests iimproved
so we could see what hormone levels were being achieved bty various
treatments.<<

Can you say patient evaluation (as opposed to treatment by lab slips)?  I
recently got pregnant and my OB was concerned about an unmeasurable TSH when
the FT4 and FT3 have been fine the entire time.  Luckily my endo conceded
that FT4/FT3 were the most telling labs.  The genetic counselor I had to see
agreed and said that just being able to get pregnant easily was an
indication that I was not overmedicated.


>>In my experience the vast majority of people are well treated on T4
alone.<<

While I appreciate "your experience" you do not live in our bodies.  Let us
tell you as individuals what works best.  In additon to this list I have a
mother, sister, and several friends with hypothyroidism.  I have yet to find
one that felt "right" on synthetic T4 alone.  Better, yes....right, no.


>>The info on T2 and other iodothyronines is in animals such as rats and
goldfish and therefore of uncertain relevance to humans<<


I think of it as taking a multivitamin as opposed to eating fruits,
vegetables, and grains with the same vitamins.  Yes, multivitamins will
acomplish the job for the most part, but the natural versions are better.
They contain other ingredients that aid in the utilization of the nutrients
provided.



>> At some point you have to decide if you are going to do it all from
scratch or accept thst doctors might know something and have the training
and intellect to evaluate the evidence.  I have 12 years training and over
20 years further experience and I can't possibly transfer this or fully
explain my opinions on treatment.<<


Do not EVER try to tell me that any doctor knows more about what is normal
to my body than I do.  I can feel changes in thyroid status faster than they
will show up on any blood test.  How can a doctor who treats a thyroid
condition know that the therapy they are using is best for the individual
unless they try different types of therapy and work with the patient to find
out what works best.  My endo is not real sure about letting me take Armour
and synthroid together, but that seems to work the best for me.  My FT4 has
been low normal regardless of my TSH.  Armour alone was not quite right.  T4
alone did not work.


Hang in there! =)

Megan




_______________________________________________________________
                      Snip, Please
If you "Reply" to a message, and *you* fail to erase or delete
 the previous message, *your* message cannot be distributed.

Why not ask a question? If we're not currently talking about
what *you* want to hear about, ask about another topic! Or
make a statement. To be prepared, you might want to search
the Thyroid Archives http://www.Emissary.Net/thyroid/index.html
to see what has been said before about any thyroid-related topic.
_______________________________________________________________