Armour Thyroid (Natural Thyroid)

Do's

• Take Armour Thyroid as directed by your healthcare provider, usually once daily on an empty stomach, 30 minutes to 1 hour before breakfast. 
• Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.   
• Separate medications such as cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam, antacids, sucralfate, simethicone, iron, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, calcium carbonate, orlistat from Armour Thyroid by at least 4 hours to prevent decreased absorption of thyroid hormone. 
• Report any signs or symptoms of thyroid hormone toxicity, such as chest pain, increased pulse rate, palpitations, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, nervousness, or any other unusual event during therapy. 
• Follow your healthcare provider's instructions closely.   
• Inform your healthcare provider if you experience any symptoms of low thyroid hormone levels, such as tiredness, muscle aches, constipation, dry skin, weight gain, slow heartbeat, or sensitivity to cold.  
• Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice regarding the dosage and administration of Armour Thyroid.   

Don'ts

• Don't change brands of thyroid hormone without consulting your healthcare provider. It is because there are different brands of thyroid hormone available. 
• Don't stop taking Armour Thyroid without consulting your healthcare provider. 

The dosage of Armour Thyroid is based on your medical condition, lab tests, and response to treatment. For children, the dosage is also based on age/weight. Thyroid replacement treatment is usually taken for life, with the exception of cases of transient hypothyroidism, usually associated with thyroiditis, and in those patients receiving a therapeutic trial of the drug.   

Common Side Effects:

• Irregular menstrual periods
• Anxiety
• Shallow breathing
• Temporary hair loss, especially in children

Serious Side Effects:

• Increased sweating
• Sensitivity to heat
• Mental/mood changes (such as nervousness, mood swings)
• Tiredness
• Diarrhea
• Shaking (tremor)
• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat
• Swelling of hands/ankles/feet
• Seizures
• Allergic reactions (rash, itching/swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing)

Inform your healthcare provider if you experience any of these side effects, especially if they are severe. Seek emergency medical help immediately if necessary.

This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects, and individual experiences may vary. If you notice any effects not listed above, contact your healthcare provider for guidance.

The use of thyroid hormones such as Armour Thyroid in the therapy of obesity, alone or combined with other drugs, is unjustified and has been shown to be ineffective. Similarly, their use is not justified for the treatment of male or female infertility unless this condition is accompanied by hypothyroidism.

The active ingredient in Armour Thyroid is derived from porcine (pig) thyroid glands of pigs processed for human food consumption and is produced at a facility that also handles bovine (cow) tissues from animals processed for human food consumption. As a result, a potential risk of product contamination with porcine and bovine viral or other adventitious agents cannot be ruled out. However, there are no known cases of disease transmission associated with the use of Armour Thyroid.

Thyroid hormones should be used with great caution in circumstances where the integrity of the cardiovascular system, particularly the coronary arteries, is suspected. It should be administered cautiously to patients in whom there is a strong suspicion of thyroid gland autonomy, considering that the exogenous hormone effects will be additive to the endogenous source.

Inform your healthcare providers about any other medications or supplements you are currently taking, as they may interact with Armour Thyroid. Specific precautions should be taken if you are taking insulin, digoxin, cholestyramine, oral steroids (prednisone, dexamethasone), or iron.

If you are pregnant, hope to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, inform your healthcare provider, as you may need a change in dose during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Elderly individuals, those with diabetes, or cardiovascular disease may put themselves at risk for adverse effects and should take special precautions.

Discuss these warnings and precautions with your healthcare provider before starting or while using Armour Thyroid. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice regarding the use of Armour Thyroid.