Thyroid desiccated and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Col...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2013

Thyroid desiccated for Hashimoto's disease "Everyone's battle with Hashimoto's will be different, which will lead to different treatments. In my case, Armour has worked best. About a year ago, I had a sudden increase in weight with no change in diet or exercise. Once I saw this change, I ate healthier than ever before and worked out consistently, yet my weight went from 115 to 130 in a short period of time. I felt 'puffy' and bloated constantly. Finally, I was given Synthroid because Hashi's runs in my family and I had an increase of antibodies. I was on it for 6 weeks and did not see any improvement. I am now on my 5th week of Armour, and the bloating is gone as well as the weight gain. Don't let the doctors tell you how you feel. You must treat the symptoms. I hope this helps someone."

• Che...
• July 9, 2013

Thyroid desiccated for Underactive Thyroid "When I was diagnosed with thyroid problems around nine years ago. My TSH was a 6.7. I was placed on Synthroid. I developed terrible headaches right from the start. The doctor decided to switch over to Levoxyl brand. Let me tell you, it has been a whirlwind of problems from tiredness, to aches and pains coming out of nowhere. I gained 50 lbs in the last nine years. Constantly dieting, going to the gym, nothing worked. Swelling and cloudy thinking. The doctor said my TSH was normal. Okay, just started on Armour Thyroid 60mg. Unbelievable. My aches and pains are gone. Lost five pounds in these last two weeks. Swelling is gone and I am alert! Do your homework and take charge. I finally did! 'Armour changed my life'."

• Abr...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 31, 2021

Thyroid desiccated for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "My sister-in-law and I are both on Armour Thyroid and we have both begun to feel draggy, and we've gained weight. I've noticed that Armour no longer has that distinctive scent. Did some research and have found that Allergan, which makes Armour, has been bought by AbbVie, which makes Synthroid. Is anyone else noticing Armour not working anymore? Have to go for blood work and will tell my doc to either switch me to another brand or I will have my meds compounded. I take 60mg 2x/day."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2015

Thyroid desiccated for Underactive Thyroid "Four years ago, I began taking birth control. After a year of trying to find the 'right' pill, I was experiencing extreme fatigue, mood swings, depression, constipation, skin/hair problems, weight gain, and an inability to lose weight. I stopped the pill and still continued to experience these symptoms. I spent the next few years trying to lose weight and trying to convince my doctor to treat my thyroid. She wouldn't because my TSH level was normal. Two months ago, I found a doctor who prescribes Armour based on symptoms. In one month of taking 25mg of Armour daily, I have regained my health and my life. Fight for your health and ask for Armour. If it doesn't work for you, it's worth searching for a medication that does to feel healthy again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2015

Thyroid desiccated for Underactive Thyroid "Four years ago, I began taking birth control. After a year of trying to find the 'right' pill, I was experiencing extreme fatigue, mood swings, depression, constipation, skin/hair problems, weight gain, and an inability to lose weight. I stopped the pill and still continued to experience these symptoms. I spent the next few years trying to lose weight and trying to convince my doctor to treat my thyroid. She wouldn't because my TSH level was normal. Two months ago, I found a doctor who prescribes Armour based on symptoms. In one month of taking 25mg of Armour daily, I have regained my health and my life. Fight for your health and ask for Armour. If it doesn't work for you, it's worth searching for a medication that does to feel healthy again."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2011

Thyroid desiccated for Hashimoto's disease "I found out I had an underactive thyroid about 2 years ago, and as a college student, I found it so hard to focus in class. My doctor placed me on Synthroid, and I took it for about 6 months. I had severe headaches, depression, weight gain with no weight loss in sight, and feeling tired and horrible. I went to my ob-gyn for a yearly check-up, and he checked my thyroid, and now I'm taking Armour. I love this medicine. All the headaches, loss of focus, and the weight gained again are gone! I take it at the same time every day, and this pill works for me!"

• Tru...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 25, 2016

Thyroid desiccated for Hashimoto's disease "I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's after a thyroid cancer scare and removal of half of my thyroid gland due to growing nodules. All of the symptoms - tired, depressed, weight gain, hair loss, sensitivity to heat and cold, cold extremities - occurred after having my first child and became progressively worse with each of my children. Since the surgery, I took Synthroid for 10 years and could not lose weight no matter what I tried. I went to a progressive doctor who put me on Armour, and I have lost 35 pounds in the past year. My mood and energy levels are excellent, and my memory and brain function are much sharper. My levels are a bit too high or vary, but that is where I feel the best, and my doctor allows me to stay there. Find a doctor that will listen to you."

• Lee...
• August 28, 2018

Thyroid desiccated for Underactive Thyroid "Diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2013. I am a 49-year-old female. I had tried different meds prior to Armour Thyroid (AT). I have the best results with AT. Unbeknownst to me, Walgreen pharmacy switched my AT for Levothyroxine/Levothyronine (L/L). I was distracted with relocating my family and trusted Walgreen pharmacy would continue my medication. Symptoms began: headaches, very dry brittle hair, dry skin, gained 20 lbs, and heart pounding. On July 10, 2018, I realized the prescription was L/L instead of AT. I went back to Walgreen and inquired why. I was told L/L was generic for AT. I called my old pharmacist. He told me the drug is synthetic and not the same as AT. It is now August 26, 2018, and I've been back on AT since July 10, 2018. I lost 21 lbs and I feel great! I neglected to pay attention to my prescription medication."

• Tep...
• April 19, 2017

Thyroid desiccated for Underactive Thyroid "I have been on Levothyroxine for over 20 years. I had normal levels for years on my meds yet felt like crap! No energy, severe joint pain, almost debilitating at times, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, trouble sleeping. I begged my doctor to change my meds. She switched me to Nature-Throid and only after a week, I feel so much better. Joint pain is almost totally gone along with feeling way more energy. I cannot wait to see what I feel like a month from now. I feel like I've gotten my life back!"

• Jas...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 11, 2020

Thyroid desiccated for Underactive Thyroid "I've been on Armour Thyroid for years and felt fairly good. My doctor switched me to NP Thyroid recently because Armour is no longer covered by insurance. NP Thyroid is awful. Not only did it cause some thyroid symptoms to return (trouble waking up in the mornings, extreme fatigue, depression, weight gain, and irritability to name a few), but it also caused new symptoms. My stomach hurt a lot with acid reflux symptoms, and I had constant mucus in my throat, which created a chronic cough, to the point where I had to clear my throat every 15 minutes. After being back on Armour for a couple of weeks now, all of the symptoms/side effects have disappeared, and I feel good again."

• Mam...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 26, 2019

Thyroid desiccated for Hashimoto's disease "I have used Nature-Throid for 15+ years very successfully, that is until the 'Great Back Order of 2017'. I scrambled and panicked and found enough at other pharmacies until it came back in early 2018. My question is: WHAT DID THEY DO TO IT? Hypothyroid symptoms returned with a vengeance, I have gained 30 lbs since last January, have lost nearly all of my eyebrows, ache all over in my joints and muscles, can't think clearly half the time and on and on and on. It's so hard to have fallen into this hole, and the sad part is no one has any answers. Now Nature-Throid is on backorder again, but who cares, it doesn't work anyway. Run, don't walk in the other direction from this defective thyroid hormone (or whatever it is)."

• Anonymous
• April 7, 2010

Thyroid desiccated for Hashimoto's disease "I was on Synthroid for 1 1/2 years. I gained 10 pounds and had anxiety. For the first year, I had full trust in my doctor, but later I was not feeling right. I had memory fog, anxiety, and my weight was a problem. I used to be a size 4, and now I am a size 12. That alone was depressing. I took charge and researched Hashimoto's Disease. I later told my doctor that I wanted to go on Armour and that I was done with Synthroid. He said okay and put me on 60mg because he thought we would have to adjust it. Well, here I am a year later taking 60mg and 10 pounds less without working out."

• Gra...
• May 27, 2021

Thyroid desiccated for Underactive Thyroid "I had benign thyroid nodules, 2 docs thought I had thyroid cancer, so I had a partial thyroidectomy. No doc did a biopsy, shame. Endo shamed me for asking for Armour. I suffered badly on Synthroid and all other synthetic meds. Finally, I convinced my PCP to try me on Armour 120, it was a miracle for me. I got well. I continued on Armour 120 mgs for 28+ years, same dose, no problems. Over the last approximately 2 years, the strength of Armour 120 mgs changed, the cost skyrocketed, and it is not covered by insurance. I gained weight, had hair loss, and puffiness on my old perfect dose of Armour 120. Gyn doc prescribed Armour 180. I am much better, brain fog gone. Hair loss gone. When thyroid dose is correct, you will feel well again! The endo doc told me Armour Thyroid was made from sick pigs and not good for humans. If that were true, why do heart specialists use pig parts for heart surgery and other surgeries?"

• J9M...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 18, 2013

Thyroid desiccated for Underactive Thyroid "I was first prescribed Synthroid. While my TSH levels came down to 1.9, I still had side effects, like I was permanently cold and fatigued, as well as gained 30 pounds. I changed to Armour, and my feelings of intense cold subsided, my fatigue eased off, and my weight is slowly coming down. My TSH level is down to 0.42!"

• wha...
• February 26, 2016

Thyroid desiccated for Underactive Thyroid "I've been taking Armour for several years now. Somewhere along the line, all of my symptoms such as constipation, weight gain and trouble losing weight, hair loss, trouble falling asleep despite being extremely tired, low energy, headaches, brain fog, etc., came back with a vengeance. My endo sees nothing wrong with my labs and tells me it must be something I'm eating. I went along with this theory until one day I went online to find out why my prescription cost went up so much. Much to my surprise, I stumbled across many others like me complaining of symptoms coming back despite lab work being in range. Everyone noticed the changes came about when Forest sold! I'm switching doctors and hope to find another medication!"

• wha...
• February 26, 2016

Thyroid desiccated for Underactive Thyroid "I've been taking Armour for several years now. Somewhere along the line, all of my symptoms such as constipation, weight gain and trouble losing weight, hair loss, trouble falling asleep despite being extremely tired, low energy, headaches, brain fog, etc., came back with a vengeance. My endo sees nothing wrong with my labs and tells me it must be something I'm eating. I went along with this theory until one day I went online to find out why my prescription cost went up so much. Much to my surprise, I stumbled across many others like me complaining of symptoms coming back despite lab work being in range. Everyone noticed the changes came about when Forest sold! I'm switching doctors and hope to find another medication!"

• don...
• October 14, 2013

Thyroid desiccated for Underactive Thyroid "Diagnosed with hypothyroidism over ten years ago with body aches, insomnia, brain fog, weight gain, etc. On Armour all my symptoms went away except for weight gain despite heavy exercise and dieting. I keep up my regimen but I'm desperate to lose the weight. I don't understand why the Armour has helped everything but the weight gain."

• Gid...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 3, 2019

Thyroid desiccated for Hashimoto's disease "I started taking this medication when I could no longer get WP thyroid. I was happy with the switch until this last refill in the beginning of October. I’ve gained almost 10 pounds, my joints hurt, the medicine smells and tastes horrid. I don’t know what they did, but they did something. If I complain to my doctor, she’s going to stick me back on Synthroid, and I’m going to get even sicker. Please fix this."

• TTa...
• February 8, 2012

Thyroid desiccated for Underactive Thyroid "I was on Synthroid for 5 years. When I went from 75 mcg to 125 mcg, I realized that the allergies were from my medicine. Swelling of the throat, losing my voice, weight gain, etc. Now, because of 2 weeks on Armour, I am. I am so optimistic, and I feel 20 years younger."

• Lei...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 2, 2019

Thyroid desiccated for Underactive Thyroid "I’ve been on Armour Thyroid 60 mg for about a year, have gained 15 pounds, and am very tired now. July 2019, got a new batch, and now I am feeling overmedicated. Has Armour Thyroid changed once again?"

• rev...
• May 8, 2009

Thyroid desiccated for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I was diagnosed with Papillary Carcinoma in early 2006. My thyroid was removed and tested positive. I was put on Synthroid and Cytomel for one week, then dropped the latter. I slowly went downhill physically and mentally. I gained a lot of weight, and I could not concentrate for any length of time. I could not return to work. An angel gave me the name of a doctor who would prescribe Armour Thyroid. Within a week, I began to feel better. Soon, I felt better than I had in a long time. I returned to work and have stayed healthy ever since. Armour Thyroid is the only way to go for me."

• Emy...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 26, 2021

Thyroid desiccated for Underactive Thyroid "Armour is sadly not working well for me! Someone needs to investigate. My labs this month (July 2021) have officially tanked. On a fairly decent dose (210 mgs) plus I still have my own thyroid. Yet my free T4 is very low at 0.90, my reverse T3 has skyrocketed to 17.5, which has never happened before, at least not since all this time I’ve been on NDTs (2014 onward). Free T3 on the lower part of the range/still not optimal at 3.0, and I am very symptomatic; hands dry, bleeding, and cracking open, 50 lb weight gain in the last year, hair falling like crazy, so hard to get up in the mornings and function, mood swings/depression/anxiety, hard to go to sleep at a decent time, which doesn’t make sense considering I’m exhausted/dozing off all day (unless this med has thrown me into some serious adrenal fatigue). That time of the month (and the leading up to it) has become a painful, emotional nightmare. Need Nature-Throid, WP, and NP thyroid to be back and consistent the way they were before :-("

• Bab...
• August 31, 2016

Thyroid desiccated for Hashimoto's disease "I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis. United Healthcare and Medicare say Armour Thyroid is not covered by them. I was on Armour Thyroid for 15 years. My insurance made me try other meds. I tried other thyroid meds including Nature-Throid. I put on 48 lbs under Nature-Throid, my body was tired, I was dizzy, could not function, and had incontinence. I am now back on Armour Thyroid feeling better every day, decreasing in weight, and other symptoms are gone. But I have to pay for it myself, and since I am on Social Security, it is a big expense. Thanks, Armour Thyroid."

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2015

Thyroid desiccated for Underactive Thyroid "I was on Levo meds and I felt like I was overloaded with hormones. I would have outbursts of anger and sadness. Gained 10 lbs in 6 months, insomnia, etc. These behaviors were abnormal for me. I switched to Armour meds and in one month I lost 3 lbs, sleep well, and have not had any mood swings."

• Vic...
• May 29, 2015

For Underactive Thyroid "When I was not on any thyroid medication and when I was on Synthroid, I felt lethargic, mentally slow, uninterested in life, apathetic, at times depressed. I had no energy for doing anything, nor did I have a desire to do anything - especially interacting with people (this felt overwhelming). I also had unwanted weight gain. When I finally switched to NDT, within a few days of raising my dosage to the current level (4 grains), I noticed a huge difference in my personality. I started to enjoy listening to the radio in the car again and singing like mad (I hadn't even noticed that I had stopped doing that before), and I started to care more about friendships, going places, being part of activities. I stopped feeling depressed and I lost weight!"