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Armour Thyroid Coupon - Armour Thyroid 60mg tablet

Armour Thyroid

desiccated thyroid
Used for Goiter, Hypothyroidism, Thyroid Cancer

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. There are other similar thyroid medications under other brand names.

Reviewed by:
reviewerSarah Lobello Pearson, PharmD
reviewerAllison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on June 20, 2024
basics-icon

What is Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid)?

Featuring Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBSReviewed by Stacia Woodcock, PharmD | December 5, 2024

What is Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) used for?

How Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) works

Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) is a naturally-derived combination of the triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) thyroid hormones made by your thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones have important functions like controlling your metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, and more. When the amount of hormone is too low, taking thyroid replacement hormones like Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) can bring your levels back to normal.

When does Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
Initial effect
WEEKS
Full effect
MONTHS

Drug facts

Common BrandsArmour Thyroid,, WP-Thyroid, Nature-Throid
Drug ClassThyroid hormone replacement (T3 / T4)
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Side effects of Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid)

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • 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
When do Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Risk of symptoms of too much thyroid hormone
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.

Source: DailyMed

The following Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Changes in appetite

changes in menstrual periods

chest pain

diarrhea

fast or irregular heartbeat

fever

hand tremors

headache

irritability

leg cramps

nervousness

sensitivity to heat

shortness of breath

sweating

trouble sleeping

vomiting

weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Pros and cons of Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid)

Pros

  • Natural thyroid hormone derived from an animal source
  • Taken once daily by mouth
  • Might work for people who haven't had success with other thyroid hormone medications
  • Can be used during pregnancy

Cons

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Pharmacist tips for Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid)

pharmacist
  • It's best to take Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) on an empty stomach, usually first thing in the morning before eating. That's because food can affect how much of the medication your body absorbs.
  • It's important to get all your blood work done while taking Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid). Your primary care provider will adjust your dose based on your thyroid hormone levels.
  • If you take other medications, talk to a healthcare professional or pharmacist first, as Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) can affect how other medications work. They can help adjust your doses or suggest a schedule that separates your medications to prevent any interactions.
  • If you take cholesterol medications cholestyramine (Prevalite) or colestipol (Colestid), make sure you leave 4 to 5 hours between taking these and Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid). These cholesterol medications can lower the amount of thyroid hormone that your body absorbs.
  • If you have diabetes and are taking medications to lower your blood sugar levels, or if you're taking a blood thinner, your dose might need to be adjusted when you start Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid). Discuss all of your medications with your prescriber before starting Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid).
  • Talk to your prescriber if you start to have signs or symptoms of hyperthyroidism (having too much thyroid hormone in your body), such as shakiness or fast heart beat. They might check your blood levels of your thyroid hormones and lower your Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) dose if necessary.
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Common questions about Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid)

It's typically recommended that people take synthetic (man-made) thyroid replacement medications like levothyroxine (Synthroid) as a first-choice treatment, because there can be inconsistencies between different batches of Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid). Talk to your healthcare team if you have questions about using this medication over the other.

The term natural thyroid medication means that the hormones come from an animal source instead of from synthetic (man-made) ingredients. Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) contains thyroid hormones that come from pigs. It also contains other chemicals in the medication that help hold the tablets together.

No. While Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) and levothyroxine (Synthroid) are both thyroid hormone replacement medications, they can't be substituted for one another. Levothyroxine (Synthroid) contains only the T4 hormone, while Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) contains both T3 and T4. Usually, prescribers recommend starting with levothyroxine (Synthroid) because it's the first-choice treatment for hypothyroidism. But if your symptoms don't get better with levothyroxine (Synthroid) treatment, some healthcare professionals might try switching you to Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid).

Yes. In September 2020, all lots of Nature-Throid and WP-Thyroid were voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer because they contained less thyroid hormone than they were supposed to. As of June 2024, all strengths of Nature-Throid and WP-Thyroid are unavailable. The company that makes these medications hasn't provided a date for when they'll become available again. If you've been taking Nature-Throid or WP-Thyroid, talk to your prescriber about switching to one of the brand-name medications that are currently available.

Taking too much Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) can cause symptoms like mood swings, hand tremors, anxiety, forgetfulness, and fast heart rate. If you're experiencing these effects or suspect you're taking too much of this medication, have a discussion with your healthcare professional.

Changes in thyroid hormone levels can affect your metabolism and your body weight. Since Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) is a thyroid hormone replacement medication, it can potentially affect your weight. In general, taking Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) as prescribed is unlikely to change your weight by a lot. Using any kind of thyroid replacement specifically for weight management isn't effective and can be dangerous. In fact, taking higher than recommended doses of Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) for the purposes of weight management can raise your chance of having serious side effects or long-term complications. If you're looking for weight management options, talk to your primary care provider to learn about what's safe and effective.

It typically takes about 2 to 3 weeks for your thyroid hormone levels to get back to normal after you start taking Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid).

Children taking Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) can experience some hair loss in the first few months of treatment. This typically doesn't last long, and hair growth will go back to normal.

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Risks and warnings for Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid)

Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Not for weight loss

  • Risk factors: Taking other medications for weight loss

Black Box Warning Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) shouldn't be used for weight loss. It’s not recommended, safe, or effective for this purpose. Taking high doses of Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) can cause serious or life-threatening side effects, especially if used with other medications for weight loss.

Dangerously low stress hormone levels (adrenal crisis)

  • Risk factors: Adrenal insufficiency | Addison's disease

In rare cases, you can have low thyroid hormones and low adrenal hormones at the same time. If this happens, replacing the thyroid hormones first can cause your adrenal hormones to drop even lower and make you feel unwell. Your prescriber should check the level of your adrenal hormones before prescribing Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid). If you experience long-lasting tiredness, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, stomach pain, or dizziness, get medical attention right away.

Worsening diabetes

  • Risk factors: Taking diabetes medication

Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) can change the required dose of your diabetes medications. Check your blood sugar levels as directed by your prescriber. Talk to your prescriber if you notice blood sugar levels that are higher than usual. They might need to raise the dose of your diabetes medication.

Risk of heart problems

  • Risk factors: Current heart disease or chest pain | Older adults

Taking too much Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) can cause heart problems, especially in older adults or in people with certain heart conditions. Contact your prescriber or get medical care right away if you have rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, or shortness of breath. Your prescriber might need to lower your dose if you experience new or worsening heart problems while taking this medication.

Interactions with other medications

Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) can cause changes in the levels of certain medications in your body. These medications include oral anticoagulants, insulin, and oral diabetes medications. On the other hand, other medications can have an effect on the levels of Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) in your system. This can include certain cholesterol medications and oral contraceptives.

Before you start taking Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid), talk to your prescriber about all the medications you take. They may need to change your dose or help you plan when to take each medication during the day. This makes sure your medications work well and lowers the chance of any interaction.

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Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) dosage

The average cost for 90 tablets of 60mg of Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) is $103.50 with a free GoodRx coupon.
tabletTablet
DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
30mg90 tablets$93.60$1.04
60mg90 tablets$103.50$1.15
90mg30 tablets$54.00$1.80
120mg30 tablets$63.00$2.10
15mg90 tablets$79.20$0.88
180mg30 tablets$47.40$1.58
240mg30 tablets$57.30$1.91
300mg30 tablets$67.50$2.25

Typical dosage for Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid)

The dose of Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) depends on what you're taking it for. Your prescriber will adjust your dose based on your response to the medication and the results of your thyroid level lab tests.

  • Hypothyroidism: The typical starting dose is 30 mg by mouth daily. The dose can go up to 120 mg a day, depending on your body's needs. Your dose might be lower if you have certain health problems. The starting dose for children is based on their age and body weight.

  • Lowering TSH: The dose is calculated by your prescriber based on your body weight and is typically given for 7 to 10 days.

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Interactions between Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) and other drugs

Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Kelp
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Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) contraindications

Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) will not be safe for you to take.

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What are alternatives to Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid)
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News about Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid)

Armour Thyroid and levothyroxine are both medications used to treat hypothyroidism. But how are they different?
Armour Thyroid vs. Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism: 7 Differences to Know
Armour Thyroid and levothyroxine are both medications used to treat hypothyroidism. But how are they different?
Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) is used to treat low thyroid levels. Here’s what can affect the price of Armour Thyroid and how you can save.
How Much Is Armour Thyroid Without Insurance?
Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) is used to treat low thyroid levels. Here’s what can affect the price of Armour Thyroid and how you can save.
Learn about natural thyroid medications and why they might not always be the right choice over newer, FDA-approved thyroid medications.
Natural vs. Synthetic: Natural Thyroid Medications Sound Better, But Are They Really?
Learn about natural thyroid medications and why they might not always be the right choice over newer, FDA-approved thyroid medications.
Read on to learn about the side effects of Armour Thyroid — including the common, rare, and long-term side effects — and how to manage them.
7 Armour Thyroid Side Effects and How to Manage Them
Read on to learn about the side effects of Armour Thyroid — including the common, rare, and long-term side effects — and how to manage them.
Taking thyroid medication at the same time every day is important to prevent hypothyroidism symptoms. Learn what happens if you forget a dose and more.
What Happens If You Miss a Dose of Thyroid Hormone Medication?
Taking thyroid medication at the same time every day is important to prevent hypothyroidism symptoms. Learn what happens if you forget a dose and more.
Dairy products can affect how certain medications work in your body, potentially making them less effective. Here are the most common dairy interactions.
7 Medications That Can Interact With Dairy Products: Antibiotics, Levothyroxine, and More
Dairy products can affect how certain medications work in your body, potentially making them less effective. Here are the most common dairy interactions.
The typical starting dose of Armour Thyroid is 30 mg per day and will increase every couple of weeks. Get info on doctor-recommended dose adjustments here.
Armour Thyroid Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide
The typical starting dose of Armour Thyroid is 30 mg per day and will increase every couple of weeks. Get info on doctor-recommended dose adjustments here.
You may not realize that some medications contain animal byproducts. Here's why, plus a list of common meds and which animals they come from.
Heparin, Premarin, and More: These Medications Are Made With Animal Byproducts
You may not realize that some medications contain animal byproducts. Here's why, plus a list of common meds and which animals they come from.
It’s suggested that you should take levothyroxine and other hypothyroidism medications on an empty stomach. Learn more tips to get the most of your medication here.
8 Tips for Taking Medications Like Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism
It’s suggested that you should take levothyroxine and other hypothyroidism medications on an empty stomach. Learn more tips to get the most of your medication here.
What are active and inactive ingredients? Where do these ingredients come from? Learn what’s in medications and how they’re made.
What’s in Your Medicine? A Guide to Ingredients
What are active and inactive ingredients? Where do these ingredients come from? Learn what’s in medications and how they’re made.
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Tan Round A Te - Armour Thyroid 60mg Tablet
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References

Best studies we found

Allergan, Inc. (2024). Armour Thyroid- thyroid, porcine tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. (2024). Desiccated thyroid tablets.

American Thyroid Association. (n.d.). Thyroid and weight.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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