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Does Armour Thyroid Help In Loosing Weight?
Question: If I take synthroid or similar thyroid medicine instead of Armour Thyroid might it help me to loose weight. I had always been thin until my mid thirties, then I started to put on weight slowly. I have tried many options, particularly eating well and exercise. I cannot lose weight no matter what I do. I am now 62. I used to take the synthetic thyroids, but didn't like the way they made me feel.
Brief Answer:
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Armour thyroid is not recommend by thyroid experts.
In general, Synthroid or any other brand name levo thyroxine is the best way to treat an under-active thyroid condition.
The key is to achieve and maintain blood TSH and Free T4 levels in the target range.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your 3 month glucose average)
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH
Free T4
Anti Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies
Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies
25 hydroxy Vitamin D
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Armour thyroid is not recommend by thyroid experts.
In general, Synthroid or any other brand name levo thyroxine is the best way to treat an under-active thyroid condition.
The key is to achieve and maintain blood TSH and Free T4 levels in the target range.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your 3 month glucose average)
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH
Free T4
Anti Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies
Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies
25 hydroxy Vitamin D
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Do you feel though that switching to a levo thyroxine may be an answer to my weight problem?
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
It is important to reach TSH goal with levo thyroxine to prevent weight gain due to an inadequately treated under-active thyroid condition
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
It is important to reach TSH goal with levo thyroxine to prevent weight gain due to an inadequately treated under-active thyroid condition
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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