Armour Thyroid Review

Armour Thyroid is a sought after thyroid hormone medication that contains desiccated thyroid extract. Armour Thyroid is derived from pig thyroid and contains both T4 (levothyroxine) and T3 (liothyronine) hormones, which are naturally occurring thyroid hormones in the body.

The medication is all-natural and is indicated for supplemental or replacement therapy for patients suffering from hypothyroidism, resulting from the partial or total absence of the thyroid gland, primary atrophy, functional deficiency, or damage caused by injury, drug use, or radiation. Armour Thyroid is also used to treat or prevent some types of euthyroid goiters and nodules as well as for the management of thyroid cancer.

The ingredients of Armour Thyroid are sourced from porcine thyroid glands which are taken from grain-fed pigs that have been inspected by the USDA.

Armour Thyroid Review

Find out everything you need to know about the popular animal thyroid supplement in this Armour Thyroid review.

What is In Armour Thyroid?

Armour Thyroid is a prescription formula including T3 and T4 hormones derived from pigs. The medication is developed by Allergan and is available in the US and UK. There are no other ingredients in Armour Thyroid other than animal thyroid hormones. 

Are There Any Side Effects?

Although Amour Thyroid is a natural preparation, it may cause side effects.

Hair loss is a very common side effect that occurs within the first few months of treatment. This symptom is not really dangerous, and it is also temporary. Hair eventually begins to grow back once the body adjusts to the medication.

The most serious side effects of the product are unlikely, but you should still be on the lookout for them. These symptoms include:

Allergic reactions to the drug are rare – but they can still happen. Seek medical help once you notice any serious symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Preventing Armour Thyroid Side Effects

The effects of Armour Thyroid are usually caused by taking too much of the supplement which can cause a spike in the thyroid hormone levels in the body. Or they can also be due to allergic reactions to the drug.

Because of that, there are some precautionary measures before taking the supplement. Make sure that you visit a health care provider and talk to him or her about your medical history, especially if you have a history of these conditions:

• Adrenal problems
• Osteoporosis
• Heart-related problems
• Hyperthyroidism
• Diabetes
• Any form of allergy

Aside from that, you should also let your health care provider know if you are pregnant or lactating. Make sure that you also inform your health care provider about any other medication (prescription or otherwise), vitamins, and other supplements that you are taking.

Some Specific Considerations

Armour Thyroid is derived from the thyroid gland of pigs. You should steer away from this supplement if you do not consume pork due to religious reasons or if you are allergic to pork.

Some people use Armour Thyroid because it is known to cause weight loss. If you have no history of thyroid problems – then you should never use Armour Thyroid to shed off the weight since it can cause serious problems.

Armour Thyroid can worsen heart problems, which is why you should let your health care provider know if you have heart-related conditions. If you have a history of heart problems, your doctor will usually prescribe a low dose for you and increase it as time goes by.

If you happen to notice a worsening in your heart condition, inform your doctor right away.

You should not take this medication for goiter problems or if you are suffering from low levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone. Individuals with low TSH levels mean that they already have high thyroid hormone levels, and taking Armour Thyroid can increase the thyroid hormones to more dangerous levels.

The medication can also increase the risk of osteoporosis, especially if your dose is too high. This is exactly why you should only take the specific dose prescribed by your healthcare provider.

If you are suffering from any other condition, make sure to let your health care provider know about it as Armour thyroid may potentially react with other medications.

While Armour Thyroid is considered a class A drug (generally safe for pregnant and lactating women), you should still let your health care provider know that you are pregnant or lactating so that your dose can be adjusted accordingly.

The effects of Armour Thyroid usually start manifesting within several weeks, so if you are not feeling any changes within the first two weeks do not get discouraged yet. Continue taking the medication as prescribed until the effects start to manifest.

Armour Thyroid and Weight Loss

Many people believe that once they start taking Armour Thyroid, all their weight loss problems will fade away and they will start to quickly drop pounds. However, many users of Armour Thyroid are shocked to find out that the supplement isn’t helping them lose weight. The following reasons could be why you’re not seeing the desired weight loss even after taking thyroid hormone supplements:

Wrong Dosage

A lot of people taking thyroid hormones are either taking too much or too little. Often, the T3 levels in Armour Thyroid aren’t enough to trigger weight loss. If you are concerned about under-dosing or over-dosing, consult with your doctor and have your hormone levels tested and your dosage adjusted.

Lack of T3

Armour Thyroid is low in T3 compared with other thyroid supplements. You might need more than the medication contains. Armour Thyroid has a fixed ratio of T4 to T3, which means if your body needs more, you might need to take an additional T3 supplement. If you have diabetes, insulin resistance, or leptin resistance, you are more likely to need higher levels of T3.

You Might Have Leptin Resistance

Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells. This hormone tells your brain to kick up your metabolism so you can burn fat faster. However, if you have leptin resistance, your brain won’t send the signal to burn fat, and you’ll remain heavier. If you suspect you might have leptin resistance, you can get your blood tested by your doctor.

You May Have Reactions to Inactive Ingredients

Armour Thyroid is pulled directly from pigs, which means that it contains other things in addition to thyroid hormones. You might be reacting to other inactive ingredients in Armour Thyroid. If you have low stomach acid, you may find it harder to access the thyroid hormones in the supplements, due to having trouble digesting the medication. 

What To Tell Your Doctor When Taking Armour Thyroid