Armour Thyroid is a natural, desiccated thyroid medicine made from pig thyroid. It provides both T4 and T3 hormones, so some people notice symptom relief faster than with levothyroxine alone. Doctors most often prescribe it for long-term hypothyroidism and for people who don’t feel right on T4-only therapy.
Unlike synthetic levothyroxine (T4), Armour delivers a mix of T4 and T3. That mix can help with energy, brain fog, and slow metabolism for some patients. Tablets commonly come in 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 mg strengths. Your prescriber decides the right starting dose based on your weight, lab results, symptoms, and past thyroid treatment. Don’t change doses on your own—small changes can cause strong effects.
Take Armour on an empty stomach, preferably 30–60 minutes before breakfast. Consistent timing helps steady blood levels and makes lab results easier to interpret. If you forget a dose, take it when you remember the same day; don’t double up the next day.
Too much thyroid hormone can cause fast heartbeat, nervousness, trouble sleeping, sweating, and unexplained weight loss. Long-term overtreatment raises the risk of bone thinning and heart issues. If you get chest pain, severe palpitations, or sudden shortness of breath, seek medical help right away.
Labs matter. Your doctor will check TSH and may check free T4 and free T3 about 6–8 weeks after any dose change. Symptoms and labs together guide the next steps. If you’re switching from levothyroxine to Armour, expect a careful cross-check of dose equivalents and repeat testing.
Certain drugs and supplements change how well thyroid meds work. Iron, calcium, antacids, and some cholesterol drugs can lower absorption. Estrogen, certain antidepressants, amiodarone, and lithium can change thyroid needs. Tell your doctor about all prescriptions and over-the-counter products you take.
Pregnancy needs special attention. Thyroid needs often rise during pregnancy, so pregnant people on Armour require closer monitoring and likely dose adjustments to keep hormone levels safe for mom and baby.
If you buy Armour online, always use a licensed pharmacy and a valid prescription. Beware of sites that skip prescriptions, offer suspiciously low prices, or won’t show clear contact and licensing info. Keep your medicine stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat, and out of reach of children.
Want a quick checklist? Take it same time each day on an empty stomach, keep follow-up labs, watch for signs of too much hormone, tell your doctor about other meds, and only buy from trusted pharmacies. If symptoms don’t improve after a few months or you get new side effects, call your healthcare provider. Careful monitoring makes Armour safe and effective for many people with hypothyroidism.
