Armour Thyroid
PrescriptionWhat is Armour Thyroid?
Armour Thyroid is a prescription medication used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where your thyroid gland does not make enough hormones. Unlike synthetic thyroid medications, Armour Thyroid is made from dried pig thyroid glands. It contains both T3 and T4 thyroid hormones in their natural form.
This medication has been used for over a century to help people with underactive thyroids. The thyroid gland sits in your neck and controls your metabolism, which is how your body uses energy. When thyroid hormone levels drop too low, you may feel tired, gain weight, feel cold, or have trouble concentrating.
Armour Thyroid is available only by prescription from your doctor. Your doctor will order blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels before starting treatment. Regular monitoring ensures you receive the right dose for your body.
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Common uses
- Treatment of hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid gland
- Replacement therapy after thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine treatment
- Management of thyroid cancer in some patients
- Treatment of goiter, or enlarged thyroid gland
- Thyroid suppression therapy for certain thyroid conditions
How it works
Armour Thyroid works by replacing the thyroid hormones your body is not making on its own. The medication contains both T3, which is triiodothyronine, and T4, which is thyroxine. These are the two main hormones your thyroid gland normally produces. T4 is the storage form of thyroid hormone, while T3 is the active form that your cells actually use.
When you take Armour Thyroid, the hormones enter your bloodstream and travel to cells throughout your body. They help regulate your metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, and energy levels. Most people start feeling better within a few weeks, but it can take several months to find the right dose for you.
Taking Armour Thyroid? Monitor your levels.
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Dosage information
Armour Thyroid comes in tablets measured in grains. Common starting doses range from 15 mg to 30 mg, which is about one quarter grain to one half grain. Your doctor will adjust your dose based on your blood test results and symptoms. Most adults take between 60 mg and 120 mg daily. The medication is taken once daily on an empty stomach, usually 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast. Your doctor determines the exact dose that is right for you.
Side effects
- Hair loss during the first few months of treatment
- Changes in menstrual periods
- Headache
- Weight changes
- Increased appetite
- Nervousness or irritability
- Tremors in the hands
- Trouble sleeping
Serious side effects require immediate medical attention. These include chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, fever, or signs of an allergic reaction like rash or swelling. Taking too much thyroid hormone can cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as anxiety, sweating, and heart palpitations.
Drug interactions
- Blood thinners like warfarin may need dose adjustments
- Diabetes medications may need changes as thyroid hormones affect blood sugar
- Birth control pills and estrogen can increase thyroid hormone needs
- Antacids, calcium, and iron supplements can reduce absorption if taken together
- Cholesterol medications like cholestyramine should be taken 4 hours apart
- Antidepressants may have increased effects when combined with thyroid hormone
- Heart medications like digoxin may need dose changes
- Seizure medications like phenytoin can affect thyroid hormone levels
Blood test monitoring
Regular blood tests are essential while taking Armour Thyroid to ensure you receive the right dose. Your doctor will check your TSH, which is thyroid stimulating hormone, along with free T4 and free T3 levels. TSH tells your doctor if your thyroid hormone dose is too high or too low. When you first start treatment, you will need blood tests every 6 to 8 weeks until your levels stabilize. After that, most people need testing every 6 to 12 months. Rite Aid offers blood testing services that measure over 200 biomarkers, including thyroid hormones. Testing at home or at a convenient location makes it easier to stay on top of your thyroid health.
Related blood tests
Taking Armour Thyroid? Monitor your levels.
- Track how your body responds
- Catch side effects early with blood work
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Armour Thyroid will be available at Rite Aid Pharmacy when our prescription services return soon. You will need a valid prescription from your doctor. We are currently collecting information from patients who want to fill their prescriptions with us.
Armour Thyroid contains both T3 and T4 hormones from animal sources, while levothyroxine contains only synthetic T4. Some patients feel better on Armour Thyroid because it provides both hormones directly. Your doctor can help you decide which medication works best for your body.
Take Armour Thyroid once daily on an empty stomach, typically 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast. Wait at least 4 hours before taking calcium, iron, or antacids. Taking it at the same time each day helps maintain steady hormone levels.
You need regular tests for TSH, free T4, and free T3. These tests show whether your dose is correct for your body. Rite Aid offers blood testing services that include all thyroid markers along with over 200 other biomarkers for $349 per year.
Most people start feeling better within 2 to 3 weeks of starting treatment. However, it can take 4 to 6 weeks for the medication to reach full effect. Your doctor may adjust your dose several times before finding the amount that works best for you.
Yes, but only under your doctor's supervision. The doses are not equivalent, so your doctor will calculate the right starting dose. You will need blood tests after switching to make sure your thyroid levels stay in the healthy range.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once. Missing one dose occasionally will not cause serious problems, but try to take it consistently for best results.
Yes, thyroid hormone is safe and important during pregnancy. Your baby depends on your thyroid hormones for brain development, especially in the first trimester. However, you may need a higher dose during pregnancy, so tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Armour Thyroid helps restore normal metabolism if you have hypothyroidism, which may result in weight loss. However, it is not a weight loss medication for people with normal thyroid function. Taking too much can be dangerous and cause serious side effects.
When you first start or change doses, you need blood tests every 6 to 8 weeks. Once your levels are stable, testing every 6 to 12 months is usually enough. More frequent testing may be needed if you have symptoms or take medications that interact with thyroid hormone.