Armour Thyroid's Spring 2009 Reformulation Causing Problems: Some Patients Switching to Nature-Throid and Westhroid

I’ve never taken the new Armour,but I loved the old and did well on it.When the shortages were initially announced (and after having several local pharmacies tell me that Armour would no longer be produced)I switched to Nature-throid.

I’m doing ok on Nature-throid,but I’m taking 4 grains vs the 3 grains that I took with Armour.

I don’t have as much energy as I did with the old Armour.I can make it through my 8 1/2 hour workday,but forget doing anything else…..once I’m home,I’m done for the day.I just sit and rest.

I basically have no life outside of work.I need the weekends,when I would normally see my friends to “recharge” for the upcoming work week.

Forget exercising.I start a program,feel good for 2-3 weeks and then I get sick.

Nature-throid is supposed to be hypo-allergenic but apparently,I react to something in.When I first started taking it,my CRP numbers were high enough that my doctor was concerned enough to have me start taking an anti-inflammatory immediately.

I’ve also had the worst allergies this year that I’ve ever had.I’ve had several asthma attacks,which I haven’t had in years.I didn’t have any of these issues with Armour.

I see my doctor in 2 weeks.I’m going to ask him about compounded time released T3.I am tired of low energy,not being able to breathe freely, and most of all, I’m tired of not having a life outside of work.

I just switched to armour from synthroid 3 months ago due to side effects like severe palpitations. We are still adjusting my dosage and since I am so sensitive to any medication we have to increase pretty slowly. I feel so much better on armour so I am not sure this change will be an issue for me. Maybe I started when the change had already been made. I have not heard of this change any where but here so can someone tell me where this reformulation information came from.

I found some interesting information on this site, I hope if helps in your search:
http://www.bodylogicmd.com/for-women/thyroid-health

An addition to comments about Nature-thyroid as a replacement for the reformulated Armour Thyroid.

I began Nature-thyroid today since having negative results with the altered Armour formula. (hair loss, weight gain, very low energy, balance, diarrhea)

Armour has a 1:2.2 ratio of T3 to T4.
Nature-throid has 9mcg T3 to 38mcg T4 per grain.

Thyolar is the Forest synthetic with 1:4 ratio.

Nature-throid has a lactose hydrolate filler (last ingredient in the list) which may be a problem for lactose intolerant people.

The Forest Labs representative is very discouraging as is the pharmacist and insist that the new formula makes digestion easier and deny that it has to do with cost. They claim to have reported the patient response to the FDA.

The Nature-throid representative was uninformed and assured me that the ratio is the same as Armour – it is not.

Judith,

I looked into the ratios and found the following information about Armour:

Armour Thyroid
1:4.2 (T3:T4)

Armour Thyroid 1 gr
T4 = 38 mcg T3 =9 mcg

Which incidentally is exactly the same as Nature-throid.

You may check it out here:

http://www.anypharmacy.com/formthyroidriskfactors.pdf

I have been taking armour thyroid for about a year now. Initially, once we got me to the right dosage,(90 mg a day)-I was so much better! I have been noticing lately that I feel like I’ve gone backwards. Upon trying to refill my prescription yesterday-I had a lot of trouble finding it. My hair is falling out very badly again, my energy levels are down, my hands and feet are cold and I have gained some weight. I’ve been wondering what is going on. After researching the reason for the unavailability- I’m finding out armour has changed. I’m shocked and think I will call my doctor and visit with her about this. Also…my prescription yesterday, for the same dosage, amount and same insurance cost more than it ever has. Thank you for letting us know about this!

Does anyone have any experience with the product AOR T-100?

I just called Forrest. The customer rep told me that all they did was change the ratio of the fillers — specifically, there is now more cellulose and less dextrose. I asked why the change and was told their quality control dept determined that the change would enhance the pills’ ability to dissolve via stomach enzymes. This is likely why those of you who are used to using the pills sublingually are having not so good results. Instead of abandoning, maybe try swallowing the pills to see if that helps. I don’t think I notice any difference but I swallow the pills. Is there anyone out there who is doing fine on the new formulation??

Also, do Westthroid or Nature’sthroid have to be refridgerated???

I had to stop taking my meds earlier this year to have the scan and uptake test. When I took the test my TSH was over 100. I went back on Armour April 5th and it is now July 13th, so a little over 3 months and my TSH is still almost 80. My hair has been falling out like crazy and I have gained 10 pounds but it wasn’t until I got the TSH/Free T4 result that I started to try to find out why. I think this explains the problems. Also, I have had the other side effects related to food…the whole gastro-intestinal tract!

Like Adriana I swallow Armour. I have been on the new formula about 8 weeks and see no difference in how I feel.

How do you know if you are taking the reformulated Armour? I have recently put on weight and have not changed my diet except that I am actually eating less. Thanks.

When I mentioned to my doctor in May about the reforumlation, she had not idea what I was talking about.

I started Armour 2 months ago and have no problems with it. I see a huge difference in how I am feeling vs the Levoxyl that I have taken for years. I have a list of symptoms that were relieved due to finally finding a Dr who would allow me to try Armour thryoid instead of Levoxyl.
I have the new formulation and for me, I am glad they decreased the amount of dextrose. I am hypoglycemic and maintain my blood sugar through a low glycemic diet. I react to all types of sugar so the less dextrose the better in my case.
Good luck to all of you and thank you for all the good information available on this site.
Phyll

Sgraham, have you been checked for adrenal fatigue. I know that the subject is thyroid but the adrenal glands are so intertwined with thyroid and the sex hormones.

For others there are no T4 receptors in the body and T4 to T3 ratio only makes a difference if you are converting T4 to T3.

Hi John,

My adrenals are ok,but I’ve found out that for some reason my body is not utilizing the Nature-throid as well as it has been….AND my ferritin has dropped quite a bit in a matter of months.

Both of these explain the fatigue.My doctor is increasing the Nature-throid bit by bit and I’ve had my dosage of iron raised.I’ve also started taking LDN to help regulate my immune system so that my allergies aren’t so severe.

Hopefully,in the next couple of months things will come together and I can have a life outside of work again!!

I am having the same negative results as others. In only 90 days on the new formular I am in horrible shape.
Does anyone know when the new batches actually started reaching the patients? They say “spring” but actually what month. Why were not the doctors and patients informed? Is there something to hide?

I just started with the new formulation today and because I use it sublingually, noticed the difference immediately. I do my own form of body talk so I began asking my body the yes/no questions. My body is saying stay away from the new formula. So I also will have to find something else. Just when you think you’ve got everything in order, someone changes things on you!

“New” Armour definitely does not work for me the way the former version did. I’ve used Armour for 5 1/2 years. Once my optimal dose of 120 mgs was reached, all symptoms resolved. Since taking the new product, symptoms have gradually crept back; 5 lbs. gained, dry skin and nails, and worst of all the mental ones – lethargy, lack of focus, irritability, and withdrawal from social activities.

My labs were done last week, and they confirm my suspicions. The FT4 was down by 22% and FT3 by 10% from where they were when I last felt completely well. The last time I had these levels and symptoms, I was still titrating and taking only half the dose I am now. Instead of accepting a new script for Armour, I asked my MD to prescribe Nature-Throid. It was impossible to find at the big chain pharmacies in my area, but a compounding pharmacy nearby keeps a large stock of all dosages on hand.

Keeping fingers crossed that I will regain the good health Forest has caused me to lose.

I have been taking “Armour Thyroid” for 4 years now and in the beginning I had so much energy, my hair was looking better and I just felt good all ways around now in the last year I have noticed that I have gained weight in my stomach, I’m constantly tired and I just do not feel like doing much of anything. I’m going to talk to my Doctor about this and see what else is out there that I can take. I have read to many bad things about Synthroid and how it has made people’s hair fall out and they just did not have the energy that they had when taking Armour. Why did Forest Labs change their formula? I’m scared to take it.

I also had a return to hypo symptoms on the new Armour
I switched to naturethroid 12 days ago. Im not great, but getting better. I swallow it at night and do sublingual during the day since I have to take iron suppliments.

I have been on Armour for over two years and felt great until I refilled my 90 day script the middle of June 2009. I am off work all summer and have lost my motivation to work out even though I was walking one hour each evening prior to June. I am so fatigued and feel bloated, depressed, my hair is coming out in clumps and this all confirms my doctors feelings about Armour. I am so sad that they reformulated without testing the new formulation. I went to the doctor yesterday and she wants me to try the compounded T3 and T4 and I am ready to pay the price as I return to work in one week and I cannot afford to be sick ten times in one school year as I was just before getting dosage adjusted one year ago. Shame on Forrest. I have defended Armour to every doctor who has tried to put me on synthetics even though Synthroid did nothing for me and I tried i for six months!

I also return to work in a few weeks and lack the energy I had just a few months ago. Funny, since I live in Texas and we’ve been experiencing extreme heat, I did not make the connection of how I was feeling to the new formulation of Armour until recently. I have a constant mild headache, tiredness, bloating, forgetfulness and many other symptoms that I’d hoped I would not have again after switching to Armour. I recently met with some co-workers that I have not seen in about two months and one asked me if I was feeling okay. That is not a question I normally hear. I consider myself to be active and physically fit. I excercise and eat a healthy diet, but lately I don’t feel the same. I think it’s safe to say that it is not the heat! My recent test did indicate that my levels were low and my doctor increased my dose. If I don’t begin to feel better with this new dose I will consider trying Nature-Throid.

I should have checked this forum sooner. I new something was up with my Armour Thyroid because it doesn’t dissolve like it used to and it tastes horrible! My hypo symptoms are also returning. I have a call in to my doctor to try and get me on Naturethroid or Westhroid but don’t know how that will go because he was relunctant to put me on natural thyroid to begin with. Hard to believe they can do this without consulting any patients.

After 10 yrs of feeling horrible I finally found relief in Armour Thyroid in June of 2008. The improvement could be felt by the 4th day. The body aches, heart palpitations, exhaustion, and other symptoms of hypothyroidism were gone within a few months. I have rheumatoid arthritis and for the first time since my diagnosis my joints were not swollen. This year I had been working out at the gym and even lifting weights! I noticed the formula change immediately, even before my MD. It doesn’t taste the same, dissolve the same, or work the same. My labs reflect how I am feeling and my RA symptoms have returned with horrible swelling and intense pain in my wrists and hands – enough to keep me out of the gym for 2 months. How could Forest Pharmaceuticals change a drug that controls a body’s metabolism without any notice?!?! Gross negligence…the new formulation is useless. I have been on Nature-throid for 3 weeks now…feeling better, but nowhere NEAR as good as I did on the old formulation of Armour. I had finally become re-engaged with life…now I don’t even want to get out of bed in the morning…

Did Forest Pharmaceuticals ever make a public announcement about this, even after the fact?

I need an official source. Thanks!

I’ve been on Armour for 15 years. 2 -3 months ago my hair started falling out, joint pains, decreased mental acuity, memory problems, etc, etc. My recent Thyroid panel showed a TSH level over 8. I have called Forest and the FDA about this unconscionable “reformulation” and to report my associated problems. BTW- Everyone I know who is taking Armour has experienced the same negative effects. In my opinion, Forest is blatantly irresponsible for not recalling Armour and for not informing the public. Just what is their true motive? A Class Action is definitely in order here!

a class action suit should be filed against forest labs. how do they have the right to change a formula without notifying doctors and pharmacys. i suffered for 2 months with joint & bone pain, hair loss, unable to focus, and was totally convience that my cancer was back. i notified my doctor and was scheduled for a MRI until i found out that the formula in armour was changed. i was told to stop the armour and started to feel better within two days..it was as if my body was being poisioned. i am all for a class action against forest labs.

Something definitely changed in Armour Thyroid. The first change came last year and then again in the spring of 2009. How do I know, well let’s just say I have an “in”. The first people who were affected by what changed about the Armour Thyroid were people who were using it to treat Auto-immune disorders like, MS, Lupus, etc. Of course this group would be the most sensitive to any change in the product or the processing of the pig thyroid. Unfortunately, this group was not significant enough, nor does anyone acknowledge the use of Armour for this treatment so I venture to guess that it didn’t matter to Armour. Now, in the spring of 2009, something else changed, but this time Armour admitted it. That’s because it involves ingredients and not something else about the pig thyroid (yes, I’m alluding to something, but you will just have to trust me on this information, or maybe not). Now, the second change is affecting many, but not all people who are less sensitive. There are reasons for this, but we do not have the time to explain them scientifically. Hopefully, Forest Laboratories will have a heart and change it back to the way it used to be in the earlier part of 2008.

Wikipedia says that humans do not have the enzymes to digest cellulose – so it must be an inert filler. Dextrose (D-Glucose) we can digest so it is probably the glue that holds the inert filler together with the thyroid. Perhaps the change in filler ratios is throwing off the digestion process so that the pills are dissolving too early or too late for proper absorption in the intestines. Each section of the intestine has different absorption capabilities so too early or too late could matter. Haven’t yet tried my luck, but I’m glad to know there are alternatives just in case.

dear friends,
thank you for all your great information. I too am a new patient to Armour(May 2009) and felt such relief when I started to feel normal again, after 2 years of Synthroid! Just last week , after filling a new prescription, I started to feel the same horrible symptoms as before…..and when I did some research you were all here to reassure me that I DO KNOW my body and I am disgusted with Forest Pharma. too. Hopefully , with enough people be heard we will make the changes happen that need to happen.

Sgraham30, PLEASE have your doctor do an iodine test on you.

I can’t believe there are so many people with the same problem I have an our doctors don’t even know what is going on. I did well on armour for 2 years, and now I am so weak and starting to feel something is wrong, I had no idea of the problems I was going to encounter. It has been a nightmare. My medication has been increased and decreased so many times, I even had to go to the emergency room for my heart was beating so fast and my left arm was throbbing and tingling, and loss of sensation in my fingers. I thought I was loosing it. Now I know the problem is the medication. What can people do. This is rediculious, in America, how they use our bodies, without any question about how it will affect our physical and mental health.

SO glad I found this thread – explains a lot. I’ve been on Amour off and on for 20 years. Off, only when a doctor retires and I have to start all over again even proving I need Thyroid. Last winter I’d gotten to the point of collapse – no insurance for blood tests etc – when my Doctor finally just prescribed. Within 4 days instant relief. Other benefit – I’d been doing weight watchers with my Daughter and didn’t lose a pound – she lost 30! The week I started I dropped 5lbs. and on my belly! Last refill in June – sypmtoms started creeping back – now I can’t refill at all and things are deteriorating fast. I’m looking into a compund Pharmacy next – worth any extra cost to get my life back.

Jerry,
If you check some other sites you will see that Fiber directly influences the absorption of Armour Thyroid.
Many sites recommend not eating Fiber or Soy within 4 hours of taking your pills.
I had to cut Soy completely from my diet because it was causing my TSH numbers to fluctuate wildly.

After using Armour Thyroid for over a year I noticed in June that I no longer felt well. I had body aches, my skin and hair was dry,sleeping became an issue and of course weight gain. In Sept. I started having an allergic reaction,itching from head to toe. It was after doing the research that I discovered the reformulatin of Armour Thyroid. Whatever inert filler they began using was the reason for my itching and the change in the strength of thyroid was the reason for my renewed thyroid symptoms. I dont understand how the FDA allows reformulation without testing the results. I have gone back to a synthetic throid and still feel awful…

Justin stated “definitely changed in Armour Thyroid. The first change came last year and then again in the spring of 2009. How do I know, well let’s just say I have an “in”. ”

What was changed before 2009. . I noticed the difference last year and your “theory” makes perfect sense. Do you know if Naturethroid or Westhroid will correct this? Can I simply switch brands?

I noticed a difference in my body as soon as they changed the formula. I sweat profusely, shake uncontrollably, and am loosing my voice. These are all symptoms that I had when I took Synthroid. I feel as if I am back where I was before I started on Armour. (As soon as I began taking Armour sublingally, I was almost back to my old self.) I read the websites that said to take it by swallowing it, and I have been doing that for about a week now. My voice is almost completely gone, and my whole body shakes. I am beginning to suffer from mental confusion again. I am a teacher and am beginning to wonder if I will need to go on disability…I am only 48 years old, and I feel like I am 80. I say we should put together a class action law suit. No one ever informed me that the formula had changed. What right do these people have to put our health, our jobs, and our very life at risk. Someone should have–at very least–let us know that the formula had changed. I feel like I have been poisoned. I am pretty angry about the whole thing, but I can not even yell about it as I have NO VOICE.

ERFA pharmacies in Canada has Thryoid. Your doctor has to write the prescription specifically for ERFA: Thryoid. It is about $65 per month for my prescription. I take 180 mgs. daily, so I don’t feel that that price is too bad. I will comment later on the effectiveness.

In regards to the new armour formulation – I just got off the phone with the compounding pharmacy I use and they stated that they have not been notified of any reformulation of armour thyroid and if there was a reformulation then they would need a new ndc number for the prescription. They have not received a new ndc number from forest laboratories. In light of all of this info I have been experiencing headaches every day for 2 weeks now since filling my prescription of armour but I was also increased in my dosage so maybe the headaches are from the increase. Anyone experience headaches with an increased dosage of armour or headaches in general with any new fill of the armour thyroid presciption? Im hypo by the way.

Ive been on Armour for about 2 and a half years. Ive noticed the change as well;Fibromyalgia like symptoms are back. I also notice that the 30 mg tablets I take and cut in half (15mg BID) crumble now where they used to cut really well. I wonder if this could be connected to a change in compounding?

I’m a bit new to all of this and have been taking Synthroid since being diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I’ve found that although my lab tests indicate that all is well, I am still having hypothyroid symptoms. I wish to change medications to a nutural thyroid med. and am thinking I’ll pass on Armour because of all the issues so many people seem to be having with the new formula. I guess that leaves me with the option of taking Naturthroid or Westhroid (if they’re available yet). I am going to get checked asap for lactose intolerance as I suspect that may be an issue for me. I was reading that Naturthroid has a lactose hydrolate filler ingredient, does anyone know if Westhroid also has the lactose hydrolate filler in it? Any ideas/suggestions are welcome in terms of good ways to best treat hypothyroidism. I think my particular hypothyroid condition was brought on by certain prescription meds that I used to take, so there may be a possibly for my thyroid to heal and function correctly again. I’d really love to hear ideas regarding ways to try and heal the thyroid. Thanks.

I also noticed a difference when they changed the formula of Armour.I became aware of the problem when I was not able to fill my prescription for the proper dosage. The drug store sold me l20 mg. and told me to cut them in half and take l 1/2 to reach the 90mg level. What a mess! Even with a pill cutter I was staring at powder,and broken pieces of Armour.

I was having trouble focusing and just started getting lethargic on the new formula. The pharmacy could not sell me any Armour for the next several months and I asked around town to no avail. Was fortunate to have enough for a while. My doctor wanted to write a prescription for Synthroid but I refused that because I had been on that for quite a while and had no quality of life. Suffered with lots of depression and really struggled on Synthroid.

Somewhere on line (I think it was “Stop the Thyroid Madness” website someone mentioned Nutri-Meds whole Desiccated Glandular Concentrate
from Nutri-Meds in Oregon. At this point I was running very low on my Armour and was able to order this without a doctors prescription. It is classified as a nutritional supplement instead of a pharmaceutical medication so it does not need a prescription.

I ordered 3 bottles with 90 tablets each and the only strength available is 130 mg. My order for 3 bottles of 90 pills each was only about $60.00 which included shipping.

Anyhow, Nutri-Meds is Raws Porcine Thyroid Tissue in either pill or capsule form. It does not contain sugar,starch, salt, wheat, corn, yeast, milk or soy
derivatives. I take one per day as suggested by the company and take it one hour before breakfast. I also avoid my calcium supplements intil bedtime because that can hinder the thyroid pills effectiveness.

I am 66 years old and am a Courier and Mailroom Clerk and jump in and out of my car about 42 times per day and do lots of stair climbing and walking in and out of various buildings. I also run a very complex computurized postage machine and have very clear mental ability and plenty of energy. My hair is very healthy and thick, my nails are not thin, I sleep very well at night, etc.

I thank God that someone mentioned Nutri-Meds on line and very thankful that I was willing to try them. It has been at least 3 months since I left Armour behind and started Nutri-Meds. This is probably the most normal that I have felt in many years. Hope this helps someone. I thought that the original Armour was excellent but I think Nutri-Meds is even better!
You can find the Nutri-Meds website on line without a lot of effort. Not sure what I will tell my doctor but I sure don’t want her messing me up with the TSH test. I will tell her “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”

Switched to armour thyroid eight months ago with excellent results. Several months ago began experiencing autoimmune problems…fibromyalgia/rheumatic/arthritic symptoms in cartilage, etc. and what feels like a dull pain on left side of interior chest that developed into pain just under rib cage and some spasms…had stress test, heart healthy…then a ct of abdomen and pelvic area was ordered…it showed only lymph swelling in left groin…all else seems normal yet I continue to have discomfort. Docs feel swelling will go away as healthy otherwise, yet symptoms and discomfort continue. I believe it may be related to switch in armour formula. It is the only change I’ve made. Will stop immediately and will let you know if symptoms dissipate. Oh, and I eat organically, no fast food, wild salmon, veggies and fruits, plus rice or buckwheat, no dairy, few spices…will reserve opinion and judgement til I see what happens when I cease taking the med…plan to see doc Monday and get small supply of synthroid (which I took before) to see if symptoms cease…thank all of you for your posts…very helpful and supportive…important…will let you know

Well, why in the hell did they change the fillers in the first place? Why don’t they change them back —
how can we influence the mfg to do so.

there IS too much corn in everything and it’s G engineered – and who needs cellulose?

tell us how to harass the mfg until they give us the real thing.