Armour Thyroid is a natural preparation derived from porcine thyroid glands, known as a desiccated thyroid extract. It's prescribed for individuals with hypothyroidism (low thyroid levels) to help restore normal thyroid hormone levels. While some people may experience weight loss as a side effect of taking Armour Thyroid for hypothyroidism, it is crucial to understand the appropriate and safe use of this medication.
Understanding Hypothyroidism and Weight Gain
Patients with a "sluggish" thyroid often experience symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, cold extremities, and constipation. Hypothyroidism can sometimes cause infertility in men and women. When starting thyroid medications like Armour Thyroid, it is not uncommon for people with low thyroid levels to lose up to 10% of their body weight. This weight loss is primarily water weight, as hypothyroidism causes fluid retention. Taking thyroid replacement therapy may reverse that weight gain, helping you return to the normal body weight you would have been without fluid retention.
The Risks of Using Armour Thyroid for Weight Loss
Using Armour Thyroid solely for weight loss, especially in individuals with normal thyroid levels, is dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Strokes, seizures, shock, coma, and death have been reported in people who have taken higher than recommended dosages of thyroid hormone preparations for weight loss. Armour Thyroid should not be used as a treatment for weight loss or obesity.
Potential Side Effects and Toxicity
Armour Thyroid has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning there is a fine line between taking too much or having too little. Some symptoms of Armour Thyroid toxicity (overdose), such as confusion, disorientation, sleep disturbances, or heart changes, may not appear until several days after ingestion. Desiccated thyroid extracts are considered high risk for atrial fibrillation and other abnormal heart rhythms, particularly in people over the age of 65.
Another concern is that thyroid extracts have three and a half times more T3 than T4 compared to the ratio produced by a healthy human thyroid gland. If levels of T3 become too high, this can affect heart health and bone density, and cause symptoms of an overactive thyroid.
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Armour Thyroid vs. Synthroid
Armour Thyroid and Synthroid are the two main medications used to treat hypothyroidism. Armour Thyroid is a natural porcine derivative thyroid supplement. One grain contains around 38 micrograms of T4 and 9 micrograms of T3. Desiccated thyroid extract also contains unmeasured amounts of calcitonin, diiodothyronine (T2), and monoiodothyronine (T1).
Synthroid, on the other hand, contains only synthetic T4, which is biologically identical to the T4 produced by the body. Current thyroid association guidelines recommend Synthroid as the first treatment option. Synthroid produces more consistent hormone levels and fewer side effects.
Why the Switch from Armour Thyroid to Synthroid?
Desiccated thyroid extract was the first type of medication used to treat hypothyroidism. However, as diagnostic tools for measuring blood levels of thyroid hormones advanced, it became clear that the dosage of Armour Thyroid was often too high, leading to serious side effects. Synthroid (levothyroxine) was thought to offer a safe and consistent dosage. The discovery that most T3 was converted from T4 via an enzyme in the body further supported the shift towards Synthroid.
Does Armour Thyroid Have Advantages?
Some people claim to feel better when using Armour Thyroid, but there is limited evidence supporting this opinion. It’s possible a small percentage of people feel better with Armour Thyroid because of the T3 component. Some people with specific genetic mutations may not be able to either convert T4 into T3 or transport T3 in and out of cells from the blood. A trial of combination T4 and T3 therapy is recommended for patients who do not experience symptom relief on Synthroid.
In a double-blinded study of 70 participants, those taking Armour Thyroid lost nearly three pounds more than those taking Synthroid. However, while there are anecdotal reports of Armour Thyroid producing superior results, there’s a lack of evidence to support this.
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Potential Drawbacks of Armour Thyroid
- Inconsistent dosage: There may still be inconsistencies and stability problems in the preparation of Armour Thyroid.
- Difficulties maintaining T3 levels: The ratio of T4 to T3 in Armour Thyroid is much higher than that typically excreted from a healthy human thyroid. T3 levels may spike or become elevated, and symptoms such as heart palpitations and others seen in hyperthyroidism can occur.
- Lack of FDA approval: Armour Thyroid is not proved by the FDA and has not been found to be safe and effective by the FDA; the labeling is not approved by the FDA.
Important Considerations When Taking Armour Thyroid
If you are taking Armour Thyroid for hypothyroidism, it is essential to follow these guidelines:
- Take Armour thyroid on an empty stomach.
- Take it away from supplements that contain Calcium and Iron, but pretty much avoid all supplements if possible.
- Splitting your dose may be beneficial for some individuals.
- Consider taking it at night, as this may work better for some.
- Regular monitoring: Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Blood tests will be needed to check for unwanted effects.
- Do not stop suddenly: Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping completely.
- Inform your doctor about other medications: Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
- For patients with diabetes: It is very important that you keep track of your blood or urine sugar levels as instructed by your doctor. Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any changes in your sugar levels.
- Report any unusual symptoms: Call your doctor right away if you start to have chest pain, fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, nervousness, or any other unusual medical condition.
Interactions with Other Medications
Due to the potential drug interaction between both natural and prescribed thyroid hormone and testosterone supplements, patients should be discouraged from self-administration of thyroid or anabolic steroids. Physicians prescribing testosterone and thyroid hormone supplementation should consider the potential for drug interaction of these medications and adjust the levothyroxine dose based on frequent serum thyroid hormone level monitoring.
Lifestyle Factors and Thyroid Health
Losing weight can often help bring thyroid hormone levels back to normal. In addition to medication, certain lifestyle factors can impact thyroid health:
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Addressing Underlying Issues
Some patients have no issues with peripheral thyroid conversion, and they readily and actively convert T4 to T3 when it is supplied. Unfortunately, some people may require higher amounts of T3 due to reasons such tissue level hypothyroidism, euthyroid sick syndrome/low T3 syndrome (10), or peripheral thyroid conversion disorders. Patients with high stress, high levels of inflammation, leptin resistance, insulin resistance, etc.
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As fat cells grow, leptin levels increase. Leptin resistance is often accompanied by insulin resistance and thyroid resistance (all three conditions are caused by the same thing). You can find supplements to treat leptin resistance here. High levels of reverse T3 may lead you to experience weight gain, a slower-than-normal metabolism, and other hypothyroid symptoms. Certain medications, such as anti-depressants, diabetic medications, antiseizure medications, blood pressure medications, and narcotics, can also affect thyroid function. All of these changes ultimately lead to weight gain.
Alternatives to Armour Thyroid for Weight Loss
If you are looking to manage your weight, it is important to explore safe and effective strategies. Mounjaro and Ozempic are prescription medicines used alongside diet and exercise to help control blood sugar (glucose) levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. In a large, 2024 retrospective study in adults with overweight or obesity and treated for type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro led to at least a 5% weight loss within one year in 81.8% of adults compared to 66.5% of those using Ozempic. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine the best approach for your individual needs.