oh no - natural thyroid meds are not expensive at all!!!! I take 5 grains daily, which most consider to be a high dosage, and it runs me less than $30 a month - full price (no insurance). Most people pay less than $20n a month for their dosage.
usually a GP is easier to work with so you may be able to get her to switch you to natural desiccated thyroid meds. there is shortage right now of Armour (for a lot of reasons that you can read about at thyroid.about.com and at stopthethyroidmadness) but Naturethroid will be shipping out this month. If I were you I would ask for a prescription for Naturethroid, as it will be easier to find and is the same thing as Armour.
If your doc does not know a lot about natural thyroid meds then you will need to research this stuff and become your best advocate. You can find good info at
www.thyroid.about.com and at stopthethyroidmadness.
I'm glad to hear your doc runs the FREE T3. I cannot tell you how many don't, so that's a good sign.