Key takeaways
Thyrolar (levothyroxine/liothyronine) and Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) are both used to treat low thyroid hormone levels, but they have some key differences. Thyrolar is a synthetic combination of two thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, while Armour Thyroid is a natural product derived from pigs that also contains both T3 and T4. Thyrolar was discontinued in 2018, so it is no longer available. In contrast, Armour Thyroid is still available by prescription and is often used when synthetic options like levothyroxine (Synthroid) are not effective. Armour Thyroid is taken once daily and is considered a natural alternative, but it can have inconsistencies in how much thyroid hormone is in each dose between batches. Additionally, Armour Thyroid must be taken on an empty stomach and can interact with other medications, requiring careful management.
