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Armour Thyroid 120mg
Armour Thyroid general information
What is Armour Thyroid used for?
Armour Thyroid 120mg tablets are used to treat hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone needed to regulate your body’s growth and metabolism. Armour Thyroid 120mg tablets are a natural replacement hormone, derived from pig thyroid gland, containing both forms of thyroid hormone (T3 and T4), which help to relieve the symptoms of hypothyroidism, including, tiredness, muscle weakness, cramps, feeling the cold, a slow heart rate, dry and flaky skin, hair loss, a deep husky voice and weight gain. Armour Thyroid 120mg tablets can also be used to help treat hypothyroidism caused by surgical removal of, or damage to the thyroid gland, as well as treating thyroid goitre (enlarged thyroid glands) and thyroid cancer. Another used for Armour Thyroid 120mg tablets is for a suppression test, to test for thyroid activity.
How does Armour Thyroid work?
Armour Thyroid 120mg tablets consist of an extract produced from pig thyroid glands which contains both forms of thyroid hormone; thyroxine (levothyroxine or T4) and liothyronine (L-triiodothyronine or T3). Thyroxine (T4) is converted to the more active form of thyroid hormone (T3) in the liver, kidney and other tissues of the body and T3 interacts with a specific receptor inside cells to stimulate proteins needed to manage and control a variety of processes, including how the body regulates temperature, metabolises nutrients and controls growth and development. Thyroid hormones regulate the production by the pituitary gland of another hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which in turn controls how much thyroid hormone is produced. Armour Thyroid 120mg tablets regulate TSH production in the same way and this is how it works when used for treating thyroid goitre or thyroid cancer by suppressing TSH production.
What does Armour Thyroid contain?
Armour Thyroid 120mg tablets contain a dessicated (dried) extract of pig thyroid glands, which contains both forms of thyroid hormone; thyroxine (levothyroxine or T4) and liothyronine (L-triiodothyronine or T3) in the ratio 4.22:1 of T4 to T3, as T3 is approximately four times as potent as T4 on a microgram for microgram basis. Armour Thyroid 120mg tablets also contain dextrose, anhydrous microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, calcium stearate, opadry wehite (titanium dioxide used as a whitening agent)
What doses of Armour Thyroid are available?
Armour Thyroid tablets are available in the following strengths:
- 15mg thyroid extract (¼ grain) contains 9.5mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 2.25mcg liothyronine (T3)
- 30mg thyroid extract (½ grain) contains 19mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 3.5mcg liothyronine (T3)
- 60mg thyroid extract (1 grain) contains 38mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 9mcg liothyronine (T3)
- 90mg thyroid extract (1½ grain) contains 57mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 13.5mcg liothyronine (T3)
- 120mg thyroid extract (2 grain) contains 76mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 18mcg liothyronine (T3)
- 180mg thyroid extract (3 grain) contains 114mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 27mcg liothyronine (T3)
Dose equivalent table for thyroid
hormone replacement drugs
The following
table provides the approximate equivalent strengths for various thyroid hormone
replacement drugs.
| DRUG |
Armour Thyroid (desiccated natural thyroid) |
Thyrolar
(Liotrix)
|
Cytomel
(liothyronine)
|
Levoxyl, Levothyroid. Synthroid
(levothyroxine)
|
| Approximate dose equivalent |
1/4 grain (15 mg) |
1/4 |
|
25 mcg
(.025 mg) |
| 1/2 grain (30 mg) |
1/2 |
12.5 mcg |
50 mcg
(.05mg) |
| 1 grain (60 mg) |
1 |
25 mcg |
100 mcg
(.1 mg) |
| 1 1/2 grains (90 mg) |
1 1/2 |
37.5 mcg |
150 mcg
(.15 mg) |
| 2 grains (120 mg) |
2 |
50 mcg |
200 mcg
(.2 mg) |
| 3 grains (180 mg) |
3 |
75 mcg |
300 mcg
(.3 mg) |
| Source: United States Pharmocopoeia |
Treating underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) with Armour Thyroid
Armour Thyroid 120mg tablets consist of an extract produced from pig thyroid glands which contains both forms of thyroid hormone; thyroxine (levothyroxine or T4) and liothyronine (L-triiodothyronine or T3) and substitutes for the lack of thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) needed to regulate normal growth and metabolism. Armour Thyroid 120mg tablets are used to treat the symptoms of hypothyroidism, including, tiredness, muscle weakness, cramps, feeling the cold, a slow heart rate, dry and flaky skin, hair loss, a deep husky voice and weight gain.
What is the difference between natural and synthetic thyroid hormones?
Armour Thyroid 120mg tablets contain an extract o produced from pig thyroid glands which contains both forms of thyroid hormone; thyroxine (levothyroxine or T4) and liothyronine (L-triiodothyronine or T3). These hormones are therefore natural hormones compared to synthesised hormones found in some other preparations of thyroid medication. Both natural and synthetic hormones work in the same way to treat thyroid disease.
What are the side effects of Armour Thyroid?
Most of the side effects experienced with taking Armour Thyroid 120mg tablets indicate that your dose is too high and may need adjusting. These include: headache, sleep problems (insomnia), feeling nervous or irritable sweating, flushing, appetite changes, weight loss, muscle weakness/cramps, tremors.
When should Armour Thyroid not be used?
You should not use Armour Thyroid if you:
- are allergic to thyroid hormones or any of the ingredients in Armour Thyroid tablets
- are looking for a treatment for obesity or to help you lose weight; this is not a weight loss product
- have thyrotoxicosis (untreated high thyroid hormone levels) or adrenal gland problems
- are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breast-feeding
- have a history of chest pain, heart attack, heart blood vessel problems, or other heart problems
- are a diabetic taking antidiabetics or insulin, without discussion with your doctor, as Armour Thyroid may affect your glucose tolerance
- are taking other medications that may interact with Armour Thyroid, such as anticonvulsants like phenytoin and carbamazepin, cardiac glycosides like digoxin, cholesterol-lowing drugs containing cholestyramine, antidepressants, anticoagulants
What medications interact with Armour Thyroid?
Several medications interact with Armour Thyroid and should either not be taken while you are taking Armour Thyroid or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:
- Drugs that decrease effectiveness of Armour Thyroid: antacids that contains aluminum or calcium or sucralfate (should be taken at least 4 hours apart from thyroid hormones); cholesterol-lowing drugs containing cholestyramine colestipol (should be taken at least 4 hours apart from thyroid hormones); iron supplement and vitamins with iron (should be taken at least 4 hours apart from thyroid hormones) oestrogen replacement product or birth control pills
- Drugs that are affected by Armour Thyroid: anticoagulants, like warfarin because the risk of bleeding may be increased; insulin or an oral diabetes medication such as acarbose glipizide glyburide metformin
How should Armour Thyroid be taken?
Armour Thyroid should be taken with water on an empty stomach, preferably 30 minutes before a meal. The dose of Armour Thyroid that you take should be as recommended by your doctor. The usual starting dose is 30 mg Armour Thyroid, with increments of 15 mg every 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the levels of T3 and T4 measured in the blood during treatment, so blood monitoring is important while you are taking Armour Thyroid. It usually takes several weeks to see normal levels of blood thyroid hormone levels after starting treatment and you may need to take Armour Thyroid for the rest of your life.
How long should you take Armour Thyroid ?
Since Armour Thyroid tablets are used to replace a thyroid hormone deficiency this is a long-term treatment and may be for the rest of your life.
Missed dose of Armour Thyroid
If you miss a dose of Armour Thyroid take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.
How should Armour Thyroid be stored?
Keep your Armour Thyroid 120mg tablets in the bottle until it is time to take one. Store in a cool dry place away from light where the temperature stays below 25°C.
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Armour Thyroid 180mg
Armour Thyroid general information
What is Armour Thyroid used for?
Armour Thyroid 180mg tablets are used to treat hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone needed to regulate your body’s growth and metabolism. Armour Thyroid 180mg tablets are a natural replacement hormone, derived from pig thyroid gland, containing both forms of thyroid hormone (T3 and T4), which help to relieve the symptoms of hypothyroidism, including, tiredness, muscle weakness, cramps, feeling the cold, a slow heart rate, dry and flaky skin, hair loss, a deep husky voice and weight gain. Armour Thyroid 180mg tablets can also be used to help treat hypothyroidism caused by surgical removal of, or damage to the thyroid gland, as well as treating thyroid goitre (enlarged thyroid glands) and thyroid cancer. Another used for Armour Thyroid 180mg tablets is for a suppression test, to test for thyroid activity.
How does Armour Thyroid work?
Armour Thyroid 180mg tablets consist of an extract produced from pig thyroid glands which contains both forms of thyroid hormone; thyroxine (levothyroxine or T4) and liothyronine (L-triiodothyronine or T3). Thyroxine (T4) is converted to the more active form of thyroid hormone (T3) in the liver, kidney and other tissues of the body and T3 interacts with a specific receptor inside cells to stimulate proteins needed to manage and control a variety of processes, including how the body regulates temperature, metabolises nutrients and controls growth and development. Thyroid hormones regulate the production by the pituitary gland of another hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which in turn controls how much thyroid hormone is produced. Armour Thyroid 180mg tablets regulate TSH production in the same way and this is how it works when used for treating thyroid goitre or thyroid cancer by suppressing TSH production.
What does Armour Thyroid contain?
Armour Thyroid 180mg tablets contain a dessicated (dried) extract of pig thyroid glands, which contains both forms of thyroid hormone; thyroxine (levothyroxine or T4) and liothyronine (L-triiodothyronine or T3) in the ratio 4.22:1 of T4 to T3, as T3 is approximately four times as potent as T4 on a microgram for microgram basis. Armour Thyroid 180mg tablets also contain dextrose, anhydrous microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, calcium stearate, opadry wehite (titanium dioxide used as a whitening agent)
What doses of Armour Thyroid are available?
Armour Thyroid tablets are available in the following strengths:
- 15mg thyroid extract (¼ grain) contains 9.5mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 2.25mcg liothyronine (T3)
- 30mg thyroid extract (½ grain) contains 19mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 3.5mcg liothyronine (T3)
- 60mg thyroid extract (1 grain) contains 38mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 9mcg liothyronine (T3)
- 90mg thyroid extract (1½ grain) contains 57mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 13.5mcg liothyronine (T3)
- 120mg thyroid extract (2 grain) contains 76mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 18mcg liothyronine (T3)
- 180mg thyroid extract (3 grain) contains 114mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 27mcg liothyronine (T3)
Treating underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) with Armour Thyroid
Armour Thyroid 180mg tablets consist of an extract produced from pig thyroid glands which contains both forms of thyroid hormone; thyroxine (levothyroxine or T4) and liothyronine (L-triiodothyronine or T3) and substitutes for the lack of thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) needed to regulate normal growth and metabolism. Armour Thyroid 180mg tablets are used to treat the symptoms of hypothyroidism, including, tiredness, muscle weakness, cramps, feeling the cold, a slow heart rate, dry and flaky skin, hair loss, a deep husky voice and weight gain.
What is the difference between natural and synthetic thyroid hormones?
Armour Thyroid 180mg tablets contain an extract o produced from pig thyroid glands which contains both forms of thyroid hormone; thyroxine (levothyroxine or T4) and liothyronine (L-triiodothyronine or T3). These hormones are therefore natural hormones compared to synthesised hormones found in some other preparations of thyroid medication. Both natural and synthetic hormones work in the same way to treat thyroid disease.
What are the side effects of Armour Thyroid?
Most of the side effects experienced with taking Armour Thyroid 180mg tablets indicate that your dose is too high and may need adjusting. These include: headache, sleep problems (insomnia), feeling nervous or irritable sweating, flushing, appetite changes, weight loss, muscle weakness/cramps, tremors.
When should Armour Thyroid not be used?
You should not use Armour Thyroid if you:
- are allergic to thyroid hormones or any of the ingredients in Armour Thyroid tablets
- are looking for a treatment for obesity or to help you lose weight; this is not a weight loss product
- have thyrotoxicosis (untreated high thyroid hormone levels) or adrenal gland problems
- are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breast-feeding
- have a history of chest pain, heart attack, heart blood vessel problems, or other heart problems
- are a diabetic taking antidiabetics or insulin, without discussion with your doctor, as Armour Thyroid may affect your glucose tolerance
- are taking other medications that may interact with Armour Thyroid, such as anticonvulsants like phenytoin and carbamazepin, cardiac glycosides like digoxin, cholesterol-lowing drugs containing cholestyramine, antidepressants, anticoagulants
What medications interact with Armour Thyroid?
Several medications interact with Armour Thyroid and should either not be taken while you are taking Armour Thyroid or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:
- Drugs that decrease effectiveness of Armour Thyroid: antacids that contains aluminum or calcium or sucralfate (should be taken at least 4 hours apart from thyroid hormones); cholesterol-lowing drugs containing cholestyramine colestipol (should be taken at least 4 hours apart from thyroid hormones); iron supplement and vitamins with iron (should be taken at least 4 hours apart from thyroid hormones) oestrogen replacement product or birth control pills
- Drugs that are affected by Armour Thyroid: anticoagulants, like warfarin because the risk of bleeding may be increased; insulin or an oral diabetes medication such as acarbose glipizide glyburide metformin
How should Armour Thyroid be taken?
Armour Thyroid should be taken with water on an empty stomach, preferably 30 minutes before a meal. The dose of Armour Thyroid that you take should be as recommended by your doctor. The usual starting dose is 30 mg Armour Thyroid, with increments of 15 mg every 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the levels of T3 and T4 measured in the blood during treatment, so blood monitoring is important while you are taking Armour Thyroid. It usually takes several weeks to see normal levels of blood thyroid hormone levels after starting treatment and you may need to take Armour Thyroid for the rest of your life.
How long should you take Armour Thyroid ?
Since Armour Thyroid tablets are used to replace a thyroid hormone deficiency this is a long-term treatment and may be for the rest of your life.
Missed dose of Armour Thyroid
If you miss a dose of Armour Thyroid take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.
How should Armour Thyroid be stored?
Keep your Armour Thyroid 180mg tablets in the bottle until it is time to take one. Store in a cool dry place away from light where the temperature stays below 25°C.
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Cholesterol Lowering
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is an insoluble fatty substance that is needed by the body for many functions, such as building cell membranes, producing certain hormones and transporting fat soluble vitamins around the body. It is made in the liver and also obtained from the diet. Cholesterol is transported in the blood along with triglycerides, which is another type of fat. Since cholesterol is not soluble in blood it is carried to and from the liver by lipoproteins. These include low density lipoproteins (LDL) known as “bad” cholesterol because they carry cholesterol from the liver and deposit excess in the arteries. High density lipoproteins (HDL) carry cholesterol back to the liver and are therefore called “good” cholesterol.
High cholesterol and atherosclerosis
If there is more cholesterol in the blood than the body needs, it becomes deposited in the artery walls where it can build up, blocking the arteries and causing hardened areas called plaques, which increases risk of heart disease. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. High cholesterol in the blood and other fats (triglycerides) is known as hypercholesterolaemia and this condition is usually due to lifestyle, including high-fat diet, obesity and lack of exercise, but it can be inherited. The ratio of total cholesterol over HDL (good cholesterol) is also an important consideration.
Cholesterol lowering medications
Cholesterol lowering medications are available to treat hypercholesterolaemia in people who have not responded to a low-fat diet and lifestyle changes alone; also for those with an inherited condition and who cannot lower cholesterol levels by lifestyle changes alone. They include:
- Statins that block the production of cholesterol by the liver, by inhibiting the action of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase that plays an important role in cholesterol synthesis. Statins only block cholesterol produced in the liver but have no effect on cholesterol that comes from fat in the diet. Several statins are available including, atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin and rosuvastatin.
- Cholesterol absorption inhibitors, like ezetimibe act directly on the small intestine wall to block the action of the sterol transporter in the intestine wall. This action inhibits intestinal absorption of cholesterol from the diet and reduces cholesterol stores in the liver, which helps lower blood cholesterol levels.
- Fibrates like fenofibrate activate the enzyme Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor type alpha (PPARα) that regulates the production of another enzyme involved in the breakdown of lipids in the blood. It also reduces the production of proteins that transport LDL lipids but increases the production of proteins that transport HDL. The overall effect is to lower triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL (bad) cholesterol, and increase HDL (good) cholesterol.
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Cholesterol Lowering
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Stomach / Intestines
Peptic ulcers and reflux
Gastric acid is needed for digestion of food. Gastric reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is when the acidic contents of the stomach flow back into the oesophagus causing heartburn (a burning feeling from the stomach towards the neck) and dyspepsia (indigestion and abdominal pain). Reflux disease, as this condition is commonly known, is usually due to damage or loss of normal function of the sphincter muscle at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach that normally acts as a one-way valve and prevents backflow of stomach contents. Reflux can also damage the oesophagus causing oesophagitis or inflammation of the oesophagus.
Peptic ulcers are damage to the stomach lining (gastric ulcers) or the lining of the upper intestine (duodenal ulcers) and are caused by excess gastric acid production due to use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) or by infection of the stomach with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.
Medications used to treat reflux and ulcers are based on reducing the amount of gastric acid produced and released into the stomach, and fall into two categories:
- Proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole and lansoprazole, which block the enzyme involved in producing gastric acid by stomach lining cells.
- H2-receptor antagonists like ranitidine, which block the gastric H2-receptor preventing the normal stimulation by histamine of gastric acid production.
Ulcer protection
Another treatment for peptic ulcers is using a cytoprotectant like sucralfate that forms a protective barrier over the ulcer from the damaging effects of gastric acid and digestive enzymes.
Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is when the stomach muscles do not work properly causing a partial paralysis of the stomach and delayed emptying of the contents. The result is that food stays too long in the stomach before emptying into the small intestine and this can put extra pressure on the esophageal sphincter. Gastroparesis is usually due to nerve damage and can be treated using a serotonin (5HT) receptor agonist like cisapride. This action stimulates stomach muscle contraction so that food can be moved out into the small intestine.
Stomach muscle spasm
Muscle spasm in the stomach can be caused by a variety of GI disorders, including peptic ulcers, reflux disease, infection or food intolerance. Muscle spasm can be treated symptomatically using an antispasmodics medication like propantheline that works as an anticholinergic by blocking the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine that is involved in regulating intestinal smooth muscle contraction. This action allows the smooth muscle to relax, reducing muscle spasm.
Nausea
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of several different conditions, including, gastrointestinal disorders, migraine, chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer treatment, reaction to surgical anaesthetic and dysmobility, which is when the intestinal or stomach muscles do not work efficiently and movement of food through the GI tract slows down. The vomiting reflex originates in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) of the area postrema of the brain sending nerve messages to the vomiting centre of the brain. Medications used to relieve nausea and vomiting include two types of antiemetic:
- Serotonin receptor-antagonists like ondansetron that work by binding to specific 5HT3 receptors in the intestine and in the CTZ and block the transmission of nerve messages from the intestines and from the CTZ to the vomiting centre in the brain, which prevents the vomiting reflex from being triggered.
- Dopamine antagonist like domperidone and metoclopramide that work by binding to dopamine receptors in the CTZ blocking the transmission of nerve messages to the vomiting centre in the brain, which prevents the vomiting reflex from being triggered. They also have gastrokinetic action by interacting with nervous control of muscle contraction in the stomach and upper intestine, which helps relieve symptoms of dysmobility (when food processing slows down) and this also helps prevent vomiting.
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