Description

Thyroid Armour

Armour Thyroid is a prescription medication for thyroid hormone replacement in people with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). It belongs to a class of drugs called desiccated thyroid extract (DTE). Unlike levothyroxine (synthetic T4), desiccated thyroid products contain T4 and T3 hormones derived from animal thyroid tissue.

What does Armour Thyroid do?

Armour Thyroid is a thyroid hormone medication that is made from dried pig thyroid tissue. It provides the body with the thyroid hormones that are necessary for normal metabolism and many other body functions. If the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough hormones, doctors may prescribe thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

Hypothyroidism can cause symptoms such as tiredness, feeling cold, constipation, dry skin and weight changes. However, these symptoms can have other causes as well, so doctors usually will use thyroid blood tests, including TSH, to help them evaluate thyroid function.

How does Armour Thyroid function?

The thyroid gland normally makes hormones that control the body’s metabolism. Armour Thyroid contains T4 (called thyroxine) and T3 (called triiodothyronine). T3 is the more active thyroid hormone, and T4 can be converted to T3 in the body’s tissues.

Thus, Armour Thyroid can give hormone replacement to those who need thyroid hormone therapy. But the quantity and ratio of T3 and T4 in desiccated thyroid extract is different from the hormones produced by a human thyroid gland.

What is Armour Thyroid used to treat?

The primary treatment for hypothyroidism is thyroid hormone replacement. There are many reasons why an underactive thyroid can occur, such as autoimmune thyroid disease, thyroid surgery, radiation therapy or problems that affect the thyroid’s function.

Thyroid treatment is personalised, and a healthcare professional should determine whether Armour Thyroid is suitable for a specific patient. Regular blood tests for thyroid can help monitor treatment and direct dose adjustments.

Armour Thyroid vs. levothyroxine

People often ask how Armour Thyroid stacks up against levothyroxine. Levothyroxine is a synthetic T4 and is the standard thyroid hormone replacement recommended by the American Thyroid Association.

Armour Thyroid is a desiccated thyroid extract containing both T4 and T3. Some patients and clinicians use DTE as an alternative therapy. The American Thyroid Association does not recommend DTE as a first-line therapy, but personalised treatment decisions may be appropriate for some patients.

Important Safety Information

Taking too much thyroid hormone can lead to excess thyroid hormone levels. This may cause symptoms of an overactive thyroid. Close medical supervision is important because of the potential for T3 level fluctuations and the different T3 to T4 balance in DTE compared to that found in the human thyroid.

Patients should also tell their healthcare professional about all medicines, supplements and medical conditions before starting or changing thyroid treatment. Please do not alter the dose on your own.

Pregnancy and Synthroid®

Pregnancy requires careful management of the thyroid, as an adequate supply of thyroid hormone is important. The American Thyroid Association says people taking thyroid hormone replacement usually need higher doses during pregnancy and should keep in close contact with their health care professional.

The ATA specifically does not recommend the use of desiccated thyroid extract during pregnancy, as its T3 component does not provide the developing baby the same way T4 does.

Frequently asked questions.

What does Armour Thyroid do?

Armour Thyroid is a thyroid hormone replacement used to treat hypothyroidism. It provides the hormones T4 and T3.

Is Armour Thyroid a natural thyroid medication?

It is called a desiccated thyroid extract because it is made from the thyroid tissue of animals. However, the American Thyroid Association cautions that “natural” does not mean the same as the hormones made by the human thyroid.

Does Armour Thyroid have T3 and T4?

Yeah.” Desiccated thyroid extract contains T3 and T4.

Can you convert from levothyroxine to Armour Thyroid safely?

Consult your healthcare provider about any changes to your thyroid medication. Thyroid hormone products should not be interchanged without appropriate clinical evaluation and monitoring.

Your doctor will monitor your Armour Thyroid.

Doctors often use TSH ) to check how well your thyroid is working. Your doctor may also order other thyroid tests based on your situation.

Conclusion.

Armour Thyroid is a drug with T3 and T4, desiccated thyroid hormone. It is used for thyroid hormone replacement in hypothyroidism but treatment should be individualised and supervised by a qualified healthcare professional. Although some patients use desiccated thyroid extract as an alternative to levothyroxine, the American Thyroid Association currently recommends levothyroxine as the standard first-line treatment for hypothyroidism.