How do you take Armour Thyroid?

Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) is a brand-name oral tablet that contains a combination of the triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) thyroid hormones from porcine (pig) thyroid glands. It can be prescribed to treat hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels) in some children and adults. This medication is also used to decrease thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in certain adults with thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, and goiters. Armour Thyroid should be taken once a day before breakfast on an empty stomach. You should try to take it around the same time each day. You may need to wait to take your other medications after taking Armour Thyroid, which will discuss later.

Read on for more information on the typical dosing of Armour Thyroid, the strengths available, and details on how to take this medication.

What strengths does Armour Thyroid come in?

Armour Thyroid is a tablet taken by mouth. It comes in various strengths, including 15 mg, 30 mg, 60 mg, 90 mg, 120 mg, 180 mg, 240 mg, and 300 mg.

What is the usual dose of Armour Thyroid?

Your healthcare provider will typically start you on a low dose of Armour thyroid and slowly adjust it based on your thyroid levels and thyroid function.

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) dosage

For adults with hypothyroidism, the usual starting dosage of Armour Thyroid is 30 mg by mouth once a day. Your healthcare provider may increase this dose by 15 mg every 2 to 3 weeks. The typical maintenance dose for hypothyroidism is 60 mg to 120 mg once a day.

Goiters and thyroid nodules dosage

Your healthcare provider will determine the proper starting dose for these thyroid conditions based on the levels of your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). They may need to adjust your dose to get your TSH level within the desired range. You will still usually take Armour Thyroid once a day.

Thyroid cancer dosage

The recommended starting dose to treat thyroid cancer will also depend on your TSH level as well as other factors. They may need to adjust it to get your TSH level within the desired range. You will usually take Armour Thyroid once a day.

Children’s dosage

The starting dose of Armour Thyroid will based on your child’s body weight in kilograms (kg). They may need to adjust your child’s dose but will give the smallest dose to treat their condition.

How is Armour Thyroid taken?

Armour Thyroid is a prescription natural thyroid medication that is available as an oral tablet. Armour Thyroid tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not chew, crush, or dissolve the tablet in water. Some tablets may be scored and can be cut in half. You should take Armour Thyroid once a day, typically 30 to 60 minutes before your first meal. You should try to take this medication around the same time each day. If you or your child have trouble swallowing tablets, talk with a healthcare professional for tips on how to take them.

Certain prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and supplements may cause drug interactions and decrease the absorption of thyroid hormones and should be taken either 4 hours before or 4 hours after taking Armour Thyroid. These include cholesterol medications such as cholestyramine or colestipol, calcium and iron supplements, soy products, and multivitamins with minerals. Other medications that may interact with Armour Thyroid include birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (estrogen), blood thinners, insulin or oral diabetes medications, iodine, and salicylates such as aspirin, or steroids. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about any possible drug interactions that may occur before starting any new medication.

Why do you have to take Armour Thyroid on an empty stomach?

Thyroid medications such as Armour Thyroid work best when taken on an empty stomach, as having food in your stomach reduces how much is absorbed. It is typically recommended that you take Armour Thyroid in the morning 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast, but you can take it in the evening or at night on an empty stomach if this works better for you. Be sure to take it around the same time every day. This will help keep a consistent level of Armour Thyroid in your body so it can work effectively.

What happens if you miss a dose of Armour Thyroid?

If you forget to take your Armour Thyroid, take it immediately after you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

What are some alternative treatment options?

Hypothyroidism and other thyroid disorders can be treated with one of the following Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved thyroid hormone replacement medications if you cannot take Armour Thyroid or NP Thyroid:

  • Levothyroxine (T4), marketed under brand names such as Synthroid, Levoxyl, and Unithroid
  • Liothyronine (T3), marketed under brand names such as Cytomel and Triostat

What are the possible side effects of Armour Thyroid?

Side effects typically only occur while taking Armour Thyroid if your levels of thyroid hormones get too high. These will resemble symptoms of hyperthyroidism and include:

  • Increased heart rate
  • Diarrhea
  • Feeling nervous or anxious
  • Trouble tolerating heat
  • Sweating
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Chest pain
  • Tremors

You may experience some hair loss when you first start taking Armour Thyroid. This is usually temporary and your hair will grow back as your body becomes used to the medication. Both weight loss and weight gain are also possible Armour Thyroid side effects. However, weight loss seems to be more commonly reported.

Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. You should contact your healthcare provider or seek immediate medical attention if you do experience serious side effects, including:

  • Allergic reaction (hives, swelling of your face, tongue, and throat, or trouble breathing)
  • Sudden, soaring increase in your heart rate, body temperature, or blood pressure
  • Fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat or palpitations

This is not the entire list of possible side effects. Contact your healthcare professional for medical advice about any possible adverse effects you experience while taking Armour Thyroid. You can report your adverse effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Sources

  • Armour Thyroid Package Insert. (2024). AbbVie, Inc. Accessed Oct. 8, 2024.
  • Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Accessed Oct. 8, 2024.
  • Toloza FJK, et al. Patient Experiences and Perceptions Associated with the Use of Desiccated Thyroid Extract. Medicina (Kaunas). 2020 Apr 3;56(4):161. Accessed Oct. 8, 2024.
  • Older therapies aren’t necessarily better for thyroid hormone replacement. FDA. Accessed Oct. 8, 2024.
  • Thyroid desiccated (Rx). Medscape. Accessed Oct. 8, 2024.