Armour Thyroid vs. Cytomel for Thyroid Cancer and Hypothyroidism: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Key takeaways

Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) and Cytomel (liothyronine) are both medications used to treat thyroid-related health issues, but they have some key differences. Armour Thyroid is a natural thyroid hormone replacement that contains both T3 and T4 hormones derived from pigs, while Cytomel is a synthetic version of the T3 hormone. Armour Thyroid is typically taken once daily on an empty stomach, whereas Cytomel can be taken with or without food and at any time of the day, as long as it's consistent. Cytomel acts faster than Armour Thyroid and is available as a generic, making it potentially more affordable. Both medications typically require frequent blood tests and dose adjustments initially. Both medications can cause heart problems and should not be used for weight loss. Armour Thyroid might be a better option if you prefer a natural product, but it can have inconsistencies between batches. Cytomel, on the other hand, is usually more stable but can weaken bones over time, especially in postmenopausal women.

Armour Thyroid

(desiccated thyroid)

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Liothyronine

(Cytomel)

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Summary for Armour Thyroid

Prescription only

Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) is a prescription medication used to treat hypothyroidism and other various thyroid-related health concerns for children and adults. It works by bringing your low thyroid hormone levels back up to normal. The active ingredients come from an animal source, so it might be a good choice if you're looking for a natural thyroid replacement. You typically take a dose by mouth just once daily, and side effects are rare unless you take too much of it.

Indications for Armour Thyroid

Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone)
Lowering thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in people with other thyroid problems like goiters or thyroid cancer

Pros and Cons for Armour Thyroid

Pros

Natural thyroid hormone derived from an animal source
Taken once daily by mouth
Might help when other thyroid medications haven't worked well
Available in multiple strengths

Cons

Amount of thyroid hormones can vary between batches of medication
Must separate from food and other medications
People with serious heart problems might require more careful dosing
Not traditionally approved by the FDA

Common Side Effects for Armour Thyroid

Signs of having too much thyroid hormones in the body:
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Tiredness
- Muscle weakness
- Trouble tolerating heat
- Trouble sleeping
- Shaky hands
- Fast heartbeat
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Mood swings

Warnings for Armour Thyroid

Not for weight loss
Dangerously low stress hormone levels (adrenal crisis)
Worsening diabetes
Risk of heart problems
Interactions with other medications

Summary for Cytomel

Prescription only

Liothyronine (Cytomel) is a thyroid hormone medication that can be used for a number of thyroid-related health concerns. More specifically, it's a lab-made form of the T3 thyroid hormone that's made by your thyroid gland. People of all ages can take this medication, and it's generally taken by mouth just once daily. Although weight loss is a potential side effect of liothyronine (Cytomel), it should not be taken solely for this purpose.

Indications for Cytomel

Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels)
Thyroid cancer (with radiation and surgery)
Thyroid suppression test to help with diagnosis

Pros and Cons for Cytomel

Pros

Acts faster than other thyroid hormone replacement therapies
Safe to use during pregnancy
Safe to use in children
Available as a lower-cost generic version

Cons

Requires regular blood tests and frequent dose adjustments at first to make sure you're getting the right dose
Has a risk for heart problems
Can't use if you have untreated adrenal insufficiency
Shouldn't be used to treat conditions that aren't related to abnormal thyroid function (e.g., benign thyroid nodules, nontoxic goiter, swelling of the thyroid gland caused by infection)