Med equivalentes - the slightly less "technical" answer:

Linda wrote (way back):
> I will be switching to armour after I return from vacation.  Presently I'm on
> .137 synthroid (alternating dosages of .125 and .150) and my doc has
> prescribed 2 grains of armour.  [snip]  Does this sound like an equivalent
> dosage?
/////////////////

As doc don has said "About the only dangerous thing that you can do with
thyroid medicine is take too much, too soon. Depending on what else you
have, than can cost you anything from a damn uncomfortable feeling to
death."

2 grains of Armour is equivalent to .2 mg Synthroid using the chart below.
But for reasons also mentioned below, 1 grain Armour has the ACTIVITY of
only 3/4 that of .1 mg Synthroid. [so activity-wise, the 2 grains would have
the same ACTIVITY level as .150 mg Synthroid].  If you've been taking .137
mg synthroid you *may* need something just under 2 grains Armour, provided
you cut back the Synthroid at the same time.

I'm providing an equivalency chart from the Canadian Pharmacists book below,
but it is important to know that all natural thyroid supplements are not
equal.

On the basis of the statement that T3 has 4 times the activity of
T4:

We conclude that 1 grain of ARMOUR is NOT equivalent to .1 mg Synthroid.
This does not necessarily apply to all T4/T3 supplements (i.e. synthetic
Thyrolar).

Armour 1 Grain contains 38.0 mcg of T4 and 9.0 mcg of T3.
That's a ratio of 4.2 to 1.0 [Activity:  38 + 36 = 74 mcg T4 equivalent]

Ergo ACTIVITY level of 1 grain Armour is only 3/4 that of .1 mg Synthroid.

Armour 1/2 Grain contains 19.0 mcg T4 and 4.5 mcg T3.
Thats a ratio of 4.2   [Activity:  19 + 18 = 37 mcg T4 equivalent]

~~~~~~~~
ADD - IN FOR ANOTHER SCENARIO
Adding the 50 mcg thyroxine to your Armour does this:

      total T3 intake = 4.5 mcg T3
      total T4 intake = 19 + 50 mcg = 69 mcg T4 equivalent
      ratio 15.3 

~~~~~~~~~

However, 1 grain of Thyrolar IS equivalent to .1 mg Synthroid (see below):

Thyrolar 1 contains 50 mcg of T4 and 12.5 mcg of T3
That's a ratio of 4 to 1. [Activity:  50 + 50 = 100 mcg T4 equivalent]

The important thing here is having a number for the "activity" level of T3
compared to T4.
~~~~~~~~~

This said, here is an "equivalency" chart from a Canadian Pharmacy book
[note that the desiccated thyroid refers to "Thyroid" made by Parke Davis]:

mg            Desiccated     Dose of T4          Dose of T3
equivalent    thyroid        levothyroxine       liothyronine
                  (grain)
 32                 0.5                0.05                12.5
 65                 1                   0.1                  25
130                2                   0.2                  50
200                3                   0.3                  75
260                4                   0.4                100
325                5                   0.5                125

(1 grain) = 60 mg of Thyroid
~~~~~~~~~

There are alternatives to Armour as well.  Western also came out with
Nature-Throid 4 or 5 years ago which is even more natural than Westhroid. It
is hypoallergenic-no dyes or fillers. Westhroid has been around for 60 years
or so but was originally bound with cornstarch which was found to cause
sensitivities in those who have food allergies.

One lister's doctor said it has better consistency than Armour and he has
better luck with it.  Seems funny that alot of MD's never heard of it since
Jones makes tapazole and cytomel and levoxyl.

Thyrolar is another alternative to Armour, and I believe doc don uses this
himself.

I hope I haven't confused you too much.  The important things to remember
are:

1)  start slow
2)  cut back on T4 (Synthroid) if adding T3 to the mix
3)  ACTIVITY level of 1 grain Armour is only 3/4 that of .1 mg Synthroid
4)  1 grain of Thyrolar IS equivalent to .1 mg Synthroid


-- Joan McPhee, MH, WT
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