Generic Name: Armour Thyroid for Underactive Thyroid (thyroid-desiccated)
"I took Armour Thyroid all my life from the time my thyroid problems were diagnosed as a toddler, over 60 years, up until the medication’s formulation underwent a change some years back. I always did great on Armour before that. It is not the same med, and no longer worked for me, so I had to change to Nature-Throid, until that medication was also recalled. Now I’m having the same issues with NP Thyroid. Pretty soon, I suspect the less expensive natural thyroid medication will no longer be available. Then what will people who do not tolerate synthetics do? Last time I went to an endocrinologist, he handed me samples of Tirosint, which has a lot of side effects and is obscenely expensive. It’s a rotten shame that the FDA is not as adept in ensuring effective, affordable medicine for people with hypothyroidism as they are in quickly producing COVID-19 vaccines."
"I started taking Armour again after trying Nature-Throid and NP. I had previously taken Armour for many years, but the price went up, so I asked my Endo to find a cheaper alternative. However, after being on both Nature-Throid (which gave me chest pains) and NP (smelled like cat urine and tasted bad), I decided I had to go back on Armour. Armour is not the same as it was years ago. I used to do so well on it. Now I am anxious, cold, not sleeping well, itchy, experiencing heart palpitations, and having vision problems. I know something has changed with the formula. I don't know what to take. Synthroid is not an option. Why did they change Armour when it was fine the way it was and also raised the price??"
"Been on Armour Thyroid since 2010 when my doctor switched me from Levoxyl. I did really well for many years, up until about 6 months ago, when I began feeling differently, and most recently a very concerning heart palpitations situation. I'm hoping that the switch my endocrinologist just made to Synthroid will be helpful, as I'm very uncomfortable and concerned. Not sure when the manufacturer went from Forest to Allergan, but wondering if that's the problem, and if anyone else is experiencing similar effects."
"Took a chance on Armour Thyroid after NP Thyroid stopped working. The Armour I used to use years ago worked great but this new stuff is horrible. Bad muscle and joint pain along with horrible mood swings. Not worth what they are charging for this junk. A really bad drug now. Thanks for ruining something that used to be so helpful."
"Here we go again! Problematic batches of Armour have started to emerge as of 2021-present. Stop the thyroid madness has reported on it as well. AbbVie/Allergan if you’re reading this, please look into your Armour Thyroid medication, as some component of this new formula is causing problems for a lot of us! Something’s changed for sure, because the new pills look and taste different. I have an old batch from early summer 2021 to prove it, hasn’t made me feel as terrible as these new ones have. Feels almost like a repeat of when NP Thyroid went bad. Dizziness, nausea/stomach issues, bloating, weird head pressure, vision problems, daytime fatigue, nighttime insomnia, anxiety/depression, mood swings, ear ringing, general unwell feeling, etc. Not good!"
"Over 12 years of battling with hypothyroidism with all its crazy symptoms, stopped school too tired and forgetful, went through a divorce, too depressed, and lots of weight gain. I thought it was me and the doctor made me feel I am using my thyroid as an excuse since the lab work is normal. I don't want to jinx it, but I took my first Armour Thyroid yesterday after requesting it, and why, it's a miracle. I felt so alive. So sad to think back on my life and what could have been if doctors just really listened to their patients. It took a Facebook group to open my eyes."
"As Aimee posted, Allergan now makes Armour. Allergan is owned by AbbVie which makes Synthroid. My first hint that the formulation had changed was when I noticed the Armour tablets did not have the distinctive smell anymore. I am seeing my doc on Tuesday for blood work and will ask for a handwritten prescription that I can bring to a compounding pharmacist. May cost a bit more but at least I'll know what's in my medication. I have been on 2 grains of Armour since about 2002. It's been reformulated a couple of times but it still worked for me. Now, it's like taking a placebo. Not a happy camper."
"I was on Levothyroxine for 5 years and felt like a zombie. Then on Synthroid for 2 years, still a zombie. Kept being told my levels were fine on what I was taking but still felt horrible. Finally found a doctor that switched me over to Armour. Been on it maybe 2 months and I feel amazing! So much energy and easy to get up in the morning. Only side effect I seem to have is a bit of an itchy scalp but I'll take it. I even lost 17 lbs already! Not every medication works the same for everyone but I recommend trying it if you have done a couple others with no results."
"After 25 years of waiting to feel better on Levothyroxine, I finally found someone to prescribe Armour last fall. For the first time in years, I feel warm. We just had the worst winter in years, and I didn't have to turn the thermostat up once. My bowels are more regular than before. I felt more energy right from the start. More doctors should use this medication."
"When I was diagnosed with thyroid problems around nine years ago. My TSH was a 6.7. I was placed on Synthroid. I developed terrible headaches right from the start. The doctor decided to switch over to Levoxyl brand. Let me tell you, it has been a whirlwind of problems from tiredness, to aches and pains coming out of nowhere. I gained 50 lbs in the last nine years. Constantly dieting, going to the gym, nothing worked. Swelling and cloudy thinking. The doctor said my TSH was normal. Okay, just started on Armour Thyroid 60mg. Unbelievable. My aches and pains are gone. Lost five pounds in these last two weeks. Swelling is gone and I am alert! Do your homework and take charge. I finally did! 'Armour changed my life'."
"It took years before I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and placed on Synthroid. I started to feel better, but many major issues remained. I got more energy back, but never lost weight. My memory got better, but I wasn't clear-headed. I continued to feel major anxiety and had emotional ups and downs. When I found a doctor who suggested I try Armour, within 2 weeks of taking it, my life seemed to return. I am a strong supporter of Armour."
"I took levothyroxine for over 2 years without any improvement. Armour after 6 months felt like a miracle. I think what works for some does not necessarily work for everyone. Armour has been wonderful. I have nails, my hair stopped falling out, I've lost weight, I have energy, am 'myself' for the first time in years. No side effects after a year of use. It was certainly worth a try and glad I did."
"I was on synthetic thyroid medicine, and I was still miserable. I strongly recommend having your doctor switch you over to Armour Thyroid. It is amazing. I have energy, my hair isn't breaking off, and I lose weight when I exercise. I absolutely love it."
"I have been on Armour Thyroid for about a year with only a little bit of good results, and then about a month ago, I realized I should not be eating or drinking, especially coffee, within the first hour of taking it. I waited a whole hour after taking it to drink my coffee, and I have finally started losing the 10 pounds that would not come off. I realized I was doing a whole lot more during the day and wanting to do more than before. I also noticed much fewer migraines. I vote yes! I would rate it a 10 if I could drink it with coffee."
"Found a 4.2 cm & 1cm nodule on my thyroid. I had a biopsy, it was non-cancerous. The doctor wanted to take it out immediately. I got a 2nd opinion, the 2nd doctor wanted to take it out but gave me an option to take medicine to make me hyper to shrink them. My thyroid levels were normal, but my T3 was sorta low. I requested Armour Thyroid from the doctor. For the first 2 weeks, I had a bad headache. Keep going if you get a headache, don’t stop, it will pass in 2 to 3 weeks. I was able to quit all of my antidepressants & feel normal again for the first time in years. I got another ultrasound, to my surprise, the Dr. said my 4.2 nodule shrunk to 2 cm! I’ve also been doing keto diet, no gluten and sugar. I also eat 2-3 Brazil nuts every day and take 10,000 IU of vitamin D daily. I also wasn’t hungry for sweets anymore, give it 4 to 6 weeks to really start feeling it. It also fixed my constipation. I can’t recommend this medicine enough!"
"Something changed with the formula again between late 2021 and early 2022. My body doesn't lie! And it's getting more expensive. Armour is now causing me to have daily anxiety/panic attacks, headaches, more hair loss, and severe nightly insomnia, even at a lower dose. It's gotten so bad I've had to quit my job. I may have to discontinue thyroid medicine altogether and just take supplements, as nothing currently on the market works, is without horrific side effects, or is affordable. Someone please bring back Nature-throid and WP the way they used to be! Seriously, I am at a loss here. I (and many others) are suffering horribly without them. Two years and counting..."
"Many years ago I was told by my doctor that I had hypothyroidism. First, I took Synthroid, which made me very sick, so for years I never took anything, ate healthy organic foods, and felt wonderful. I went recently to a specialist (Endocrinologist), and he also said my blood levels showed an underactive thyroid. The strange thing is that I don't have any of the symptoms of this disease. But I tried Armour Thyroid for about a month and had chest pains, stomach cramps, and I was so tired all the time. I spent most days in bed. Now I went off Armour Thyroid, and I feel back to normal. I don't care what a test shows... it's how I feel that matters."
"When my hypothyroidism went low enough to treat 15 years ago, I was given Levoxyl, adjusted up to 150 mcg. Fibromyalgia of 23 years worsened. In the last 4 years, I developed severe fatigue crashes, heat and exercise intolerance, anxiety, depression, water retention, leg and back muscle weakness/wasting/pain. Tests normal. I exhausted the best rheumatologist and neurologist in town, two normal muscle biopsies. Thyroid levels are at the top of normal. Doctors kept me there, prescribing prednisone and five other medicines for fatigue and pain. Sudden breathing problems occurred. Hyperthyroidism exhausted my adrenals. A new doctor put me on Armour, lower at 75 mg two weeks ago. I feel fantastic - more strength, less pain/weakness!"
"Four years ago, I began taking birth control. After a year of trying to find the 'right' pill, I was experiencing extreme fatigue, mood swings, depression, constipation, skin/hair problems, weight gain, and an inability to lose weight. I stopped the pill and still continued to experience these symptoms. I spent the next few years trying to lose weight and trying to convince my doctor to treat my thyroid. She wouldn't because my TSH level was normal. Two months ago, I found a doctor who prescribes Armour based on symptoms. In one month of taking 25mg of Armour daily, I have regained my health and my life. Fight for your health and ask for Armour. If it doesn't work for you, it's worth searching for a medication that does to feel healthy again."
"Originally on Synthroid for my hypo/hashimotos. Made me feel way worse. I've never felt so terrible. After months of asking my endo to switch me, she said I should increase my dose, and I fired her. I've since been on Armour for 2 years, and I'll never go back. I used to be able to barely get through the day without a multi-hour nap. I still sleep more than other people, but generally, no nap needed! Turns out I can keep up with the crowd."
"So far so good. After total thyroid removal, had difficulty on just levothyroxine (T4). Slept all day, irritated, etc., the usual. Enough was enough, emailed my endocrinologist and he tried a different route. It's been a week and I already lost 6 of the 8 lbs I gained over a 7-week period. I have more energy and symptoms are gone. Continued exercise with high protein/fiber shakes and never felt better. Hopefully it gives us sufferers what we are looking for and need!"
"Diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2013. I am a 49-year-old female. I had tried different meds prior to Armour Thyroid (AT). I have the best results with AT. Unbeknownst to me, Walgreen pharmacy switched my AT for Levothyroxine/Levothyronine (L/L). I was distracted with relocating my family and trusted Walgreen pharmacy would continue my medication. Symptoms began: headaches, very dry brittle hair, dry skin, gained 20 lbs, and heart pounding. On July 10, 2018, I realized the prescription was L/L instead of AT. I went back to Walgreen and inquired why. I was told L/L was generic for AT. I called my old pharmacist. He told me the drug is synthetic and not the same as AT. It is now August 26, 2018, and I've been back on AT since July 10, 2018. I lost 21 lbs and I feel great! I neglected to pay attention to my prescription medication."
"I've been on Armour Thyroid for over fifteen years, except for one year when I had a physician who would not prescribe Armour. Synthroid was a nightmare for me. However, in the last several years, I have noticed a definite difference in each refill of Armour. One refill leaves me fat and moody, and the next one may cause me to feel normal and lose five or six pounds effortlessly. This is NOT okay for anyone. A huge price increase and such an inferior and unpredictable product should make us all angry. Our hands are tied unless we can buy directly from the manufacturer."
"I've been on Synthroid or Levothyroid for over 50 years. I asked my endo for Armour because I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I've been on Armour for 3 months now and can't believe how much better I feel. Have not had any side effects."
"In February 2014, Forest Laboratories, the makers of Armour Thyroid, was bought by the drug company Actavis for $25 million. I recently finished a batch that I had on hand since May of 2014 and was doing quite well with no side effects. As soon as I started a new batch that I purchased in October of 2014, I noticed the difference within a few days: I started itching, being warm, and lacking sleep. Before, I was sleeping very well regularly, while now I'm having a lot of trouble. I think that I will be looking for some other alternative after I see my doctor, preferably Nathroid and Westhroid. Why would Actavis change the composition of a good product and make it worse? After being a 'happy' individual with Armour for several years, it's time to move on."
NP Thyroid, Nature-Throid, Westhroid, WP Thyroid
Niva Thyroid, APur Thyroid
