Generic Name: Armour Thyroid (thyroid-desiccated)
Armour Thyroid Reviews
For Underactive Thyroid "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."
For Underactive Thyroid "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??"
For Hashimoto's disease "Everyone's battle with Hashimoto's will be different, which will lead to different treatments. In my case, Armour has worked best. About a year ago, I had a sudden increase in weight with no change in diet or exercise. Once I saw this change, I ate healthier than ever before and worked out consistently, yet my weight went from 115 to 130 in a short period of time. I felt 'puffy' and bloated constantly. Finally, I was given Synthroid because Hashi's runs in my family and I had an increase of antibodies. I was on it for 6 weeks and did not see any improvement. I am now on my 5th week of Armour, and the bloating is gone as well as the weight gain. Don't let the doctors tell you how you feel. You must treat the symptoms. I hope this helps someone."
For Underactive Thyroid "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."
For Underactive Thyroid "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."
For Underactive Thyroid "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!"
For Underactive Thyroid "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."
For Underactive Thyroid "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."
For Underactive Thyroid "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."
For Underactive Thyroid "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."
For Underactive Thyroid "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'."
For Underactive Thyroid "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."
For Hashimoto's disease "I have had Hashimoto's since 1998. Synthroid never worked for me, so the doctor switched me to Nature-Throid, which worked miracles after only 2 months. When there was a shortage of Nature-Throid, I switched to Armour. I have been on Armour for 5 years. At first, I felt great on Armour, but within the last 1 1/2 years, something has changed. All my symptoms returned in September 2018. I have gained 25 lbs, experienced hair and eyebrow loss, brain fog, and extreme fatigue, etc. I would bet money that Armour has changed the formula again but won't admit it. The pills do not smell or taste the same. Fess up, Armour!! Going to the doctor in 2 weeks to try a different NDT. Stay strong!"
For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "My sister-in-law and I are both on Armour Thyroid and we have both begun to feel draggy, and we've gained weight. I've noticed that Armour no longer has that distinctive scent. Did some research and have found that Allergan, which makes Armour, has been bought by AbbVie, which makes Synthroid. Is anyone else noticing Armour not working anymore? Have to go for blood work and will tell my doc to either switch me to another brand or I will have my meds compounded. I take 60mg 2x/day."
For Hashimoto's disease "Having been on Synthroid for 13 years and then switched to Armour 16 years ago, the difference for me has been like night and day, like those before & after photos. So many health issues on Synthroid. I requested to be switched to Armour and the energy began to suddenly appear in about two weeks. Changed my world. For reference I'm 66."
For Underactive Thyroid "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."
For Underactive Thyroid "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."
For Hashimoto's disease "Within a week of taking Armour Thyroid, my periods returned (they were gone for 2 years on T4 only). My energy levels returned (I could barely walk or do any housework on T4 only). I can think clearly now (was in a state of confusion on T4), depression is gone completely (I was in a depressive state on T4 only and refused antidepressants because I knew it was not depression because of my life). I am out of the bedroom and functioning again."
For Hashimoto's disease "I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism at age 14, although I had a high TSH (in the normal range) since I was born. I was treated with Synthroid and levothyroxine for the past 7 years, and I never really thought about how it was affecting me. Within these 7 years, I gained and lost and gained again 75 lbs, which was due to the depression that Synthroid was causing. I recently began feeling so bad and decided to stop Synthroid and asked my doctor for Armour... one month later and I am as happy and optimistic as I used to be before Synthroid. I have also lost 12 lbs within a month (with proper diet and nutrition, of course). I have had no side effects on this medication, and I am 100% happy I decided to switch."
For Underactive Thyroid "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."
For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I am struggling with the new formulation of Armour Thyroid. It was always the best medication for me. Now experiencing sleeplessness, foggy brain, and vision changes. If Allergan does not figure this out, I will have to go to a different med. Synthroid was terrible for me. Cannot take it and function."
For Underactive Thyroid "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!"
For Underactive Thyroid "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..."
For Hashimoto's disease "After college, I was diagnosed with Graves' disease, and they did the radioactive iodine treatment on me, which completely killed my thyroid. I used to be super skinny and could eat all the time. Now I'm not one of those people who ever got big, my max weight after treatment was 147 lbs, which for 5'4 still wasn't 'big'. However, I was spending 2 hours working out 5 days a week and basically living on protein shakes, so I should have definitely been a lot thinner. Before the treatment, I was 123 lbs and bloomed up to 147 lbs in a matter of 4 years. I was on Synthroid for 6 years and never felt normal. I tried Naturroid for 6 months, still nothing. My new doctor put me on Armour, and I couldn't be happier. I have my energy back and am down to 130 lbs."
For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "After hyperthyroidism most of my life: Graves Disease, this is the ONLY thyroid medication that works for me. Insurance companies and pharmaceutical giants prefer levothyroxine or other more expensive drugs that have more side effects and for me at least are not as effective. I was on a thyroid-destroying drug for YEARS, and a specialist told me that if it hadn't worked by now to destroy my thyroid gland, it probably never would, it was just putting this strong med into my body affecting other bodily functions. So, I took 'their' advice and destroyed my thyroid with radioactive iodine. Now I need to be on thyroid for the rest of my life. My doctor and I tried traditional drugs pushed by the medical establishment. I finally did some research and asked others without a functioning thyroid and was directed to Armour Thyroid. It has been working for over 5 years without adjusting dosage, unlike the 'traditional' thyroid meds where I had to constantly change dosage."
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- Armour Thyroid drug information
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Other brands
NP Thyroid, Nature-Throid, Westhroid, WP Thyroid
Professional resources
- Armour Thyroid prescribing information
- Thyroid (AHFS Monograph)
Other brands
Niva Thyroid, APur Thyroid
Related treatment guides
- Hashimoto's disease
- TSH Suppression
- Underactive Thyroid
- Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal
- Thyroid Cancer
