Armour Thyroid

Generic name: Thyroid Desiccated
Drug class: Thyroid drugs

Usage of Armour Thyroid

Desiccated (dried) thyroid is a combination of hormones that are normally produced by your thyroid gland to regulate the body's energy and metabolism. Desiccated thyroid is given when the thyroid does not produce enough of this hormone on its own.

Desiccated thyroid treats hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone). Desiccated thyroid is also used to treat or prevent goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), and is also given as part of a medical tests for thyroid disorders.

Desiccated thyroid should not be used to treat obesity or weight problems.

Desiccated thyroid may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Armour Thyroid side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Common side effects may include temporary hair loss (especially in children).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Armour Thyroid

Since thyroid hormone occurs naturally in the body, almost anyone can take desiccated thyroid. However, you may not be able to use this medication if you have a thyroid disorder called thyrotoxicosis, or an adrenal gland problem that is not controlled by treatment.

To make sure desiccated thyroid is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

heart disease, angina (chest pain);

coronary artery disease;

congestive heart failure;

any type of diabetes; or

problems with your adrenal gland.

Desiccated thyroid is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby, but your dose needs may be different during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.

Small amounts of desiccated thyroid can pass into breast milk, but this is not expected to harm a nursing baby. However, do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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How to use Armour Thyroid

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not use Armour Thyroid in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

While using desiccated thyroid, you may need frequent blood tests.

Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to take thyroid medication for the rest of your life.

Call your doctor if you notice any signs of thyroid toxicity, such as chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, feeling hot or nervous, or sweating more than usual.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using desiccated thyroid. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Warnings

You may not be able to use Armour Thyroid if you have a thyroid disorder called thyrotoxicosis, or an adrenal gland problem that is not controlled by treatment.

Call your doctor if you have signs of thyroid toxicity, such as chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, feeling hot or nervous, or sweating more than usual.

What other drugs will affect Armour Thyroid

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with desiccated thyroid, especially:

birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;

a blood thinner such as warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven;

insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth;

medications that contain iodine (such as I-131);

salicylates such as aspirin, Nuprin Backache Caplet, Kaopectate, KneeRelief, Pamprin Cramp Formula, Pepto-Bismol, Tricosal, Trilisate; or

steroids such as prednisone and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with desiccated thyroid, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Popular FAQ

Although weight loss can be a side effect of Armour Thyroid in people taking it for low thyroid levels you should not take Armour Thyroid for the sole purpose of losing weight. Using Armour Thyroid to reduce weight in people with normal thyroid levels is dangerous, not safe, and can be life-threatening. Strokes, seizures, shock, coma, and death have been reported in people who have taken higher than recommended dosages of thyroid hormone preparations for weight loss. Some symptoms of Armour Thyroid toxicity (overdose), such as confusion, disorientation, sleep disturbances, or heart changes may not appear until several days after ingestion. Armour Thyroid should not be used as a treatment for weight loss or obesity. Weight gain is an uncommon side effect of Armour Thyroid but may occur if the dosage of Armour Thyroid is not supplementing their low thyroid levels enough. Continue reading

High blood pressure is not a common side effect of Armour Thyroid but it may occur if too much Armour Thyroid is taken. High blood pressure can also occur a result of low thyroid levels (hypothyroidism) and this may persist despite treatment with Armour Thyroid. One review showed this high blood pressure persistence was due to increased aortic stiffness in people with hypothyroidism. Do not increase your dosage of Armour Thyroid without your doctor telling you to do so because too much Armour Thyroid is not safe. Continue reading

Armour Thyroid is unlikely to make you tired or sleepy. Tiredness is a symptom of low thyroid levels (hypothyroidism) and if you still feel tired while taking Armour Thyroid then you should talk to your doctor because you may need the dosage of Armour Thyroid increased. You should never increase the dosage of Armour Thyroid yourself, without being under medical supervision because too much Armour Thyroid is not safe. Continue reading

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