Frequently Asked Questions
How do thyroid hormones work?
How is Armour Thyroid made?
What are the ingredients in Armour Thyroid tablets?
Does Armour Thyroid meet federal health standards for thyroid tablets?
How soon will I see improvement with Armour Thyroid?
How Long Is This Situation Going to Continue?
How do I switch to Armour Thyroid?
How do thyroid hormones work?
Thyroid hormones, T4 and T3, affect the body's use of vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, electrolytes, and water. They regulate the body's immune response. They can also alter the actions of other hormones and drugs.
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How is Armour Thyroid made?
First thyroid glands are collected from USDA-approved grain-fed pigs. The thyroids are processed, dried, powdered, and compounded to produce Armour Thyroid tablets. Since the amount of thyroid hormone present in the thyroid gland may vary from animal to animal, the T4 and T3 are measured in both the raw material and in the actual tablets. This ensures that Armour Thyroid tablets are the same from tablet to tablet.
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What are the ingredients in Armour Thyroid tablets?
The Armour Thyroid product available from Forest Pharmaceuticals contains:
- Thyroid Powder, USP
- Dextrose, Anhydrous
- Microcrystalline Cellulose, NF
- Sodium Starch Glycolate, NF
- Calcium Stearate, NF
- Opadry White (titanium dioxide used as a whitening agent)
Armour Thyroid does not contain gluten or lactose.
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Does Armour Thyroid meet federal health standards for thyroid tablets?
Armour Thyroid Tablets, USP, contain the labeled amounts of T4 and T3. These standards are established by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). To meet quality standards, Armour Thyroid must also pass bacteriological testing and must meet other product quality tests.
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How soon will I see improvement with Armour Thyroid?
Most patients taking thyroid medications at effective dosage levels experience positive changes within the first few days to several weeks. Occasionally, your doctor may need to make an adjustment of the dosage that was initially chosen before these results occur.
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How Long Is This Situation Going to Continue?
It's likely to go on at least three months or longer. Forest Labs has said that they cannot estimate when they will resume shipments of Armour Thyroid. RLC Labs has said that they expect to resume shipment within 90 days.
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How do I switch to Armour Thyroid?
Be sure to talk to your doctor or other healthcare professional before changing medications. A dosage conversion table for all other similar medications is provided below for guidance:
Drug |
Thyroid Tablets, USP (Armour® Thyroid) |
Liotrix Tablets, USP (Thyrolar®a) |
Liothronine Tablets, USP (Cytomel®b) |
Levothyroxine Tablets, USP(Unithroid®c, Levoxyl®d, Levothroid®e, Synthroid®f) |
Approx. Dose Equivalent |
1/4 grain (15 mg) |
1/4 |
25 mcg (.025 mg) |
|
Approx. Dose Equivalent |
1/2 grain (30 mg) |
1/2 |
12.5 mcg |
50 mcg (.05 mg) |
Approx. Dose Equivalent |
1 grain (60 mg) |
1 |
25 mcg |
100 mcg (0.1 mg) |
Approx. Dose Equivalent |
1 1/2 grains (90 mg) |
1 1/2 |
37.5 mcg |
150 mcg (0.15 mg) |
Approx. Dose Equivalent |
2 grains (120 mg) |
2 |
50 mcg |
200 mcg (0.2 mg) |
Approx. Dose Equivalent |
3 grains (180 mg) |
3 |
75 mcg |
300 mcg (0.3 mg) |
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