Synthroid vs. Armour Thyroid

• Are Armour Thyroid and Synthroid the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Synthroid?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Armour Thyroid?
• What is Synthroid?
• What is Armour Thyroid?
• What Drugs Interact with Synthroid?
• What Drugs Interact with Armour Thyroid?
• How Should Synthroid Be Taken?
• How Should Armour Thyroid Be Taken?

Synthroid (levothyroxine sodium) and Armour Thyroid (thyroid tablets) are used to treat hypothyroidism due to many causes.

Synthroid is also used for pituitary TSH suppression.

Armour Thyroid is also used to treat or prevent goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), and is also given as part of a medical test for thyroid disorders.

Synthroid is a synthetic compound identical to T4 (levothyroxine) produced by the human thyroid gland and Armour Thyroid is a natural product made from animal thyroid glands.

Common side effects of Synthroid include:

• fever,
• hot flashes,
• sensitivity to heat,
• sweating,
• headache,
• nervousness,
• irritability,
• nausea,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• changes in appetite or changes in weight,
• changes in menstrual perdiods,
• and temporary hair loss.

Common side effects of Armour Thyroid include:

• hair loss during the first few months of treatment

This side effect is usually temporary as your body adjusts to Armour Thyroid.

Contact your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Armour Thyroid including

• allergic reactions
• rash,
• itching,
• swelling [especially of the face/tongue/throat,]
• severe dizziness,
• trouble breathing),
• increased sweating,
• sensitivity to heat,
• mental/mood changes (nervousness, mood swings),
• tiredness,
• diarrhea,
• shaking (tremor),
• headache,
• shortness of breath,
• chest pain,
• fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat,
• swelling hands/ankles/feet, or
• seizures.

Synthroid (levothyroxine sodium) is a synthetic compound identical to T4 (levothyroxine) produced by the human thyroid gland used to treat hypothyroidism due to many causes.

Armour Thyroid (thyroid tablets) is a natural product made from animal thyroid glands used to treat hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone), to treat or prevent goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), and is also given as part of a medical test for thyroid disorders

Synthroid may interact with many different drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Armour Thyroid may interact with birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, blood thinners, insulin or oral diabetes medication, medications that contain iodine, salicylates such as aspirin and others, or steroids.

Synthroid is prescribed in tablets that range from 25 to 300 mcg in strength and is usually taken once a day with a full glass of water (about 8 ounces) 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast for best adsorption into the body. Children can take the medicine if the tablet is crushed and put into about 1 to 2 teaspoons of water; do not store or delay giving this crushed pill suspension. Doctors often may have to slowly increase the dose; patients should not increase or decrease this medication themselves. Because some preparations of the drug may contain iodine or lactose, patients should tell their doctors about such allergies or reactions to these components. Many drugs can inhibit Synthroid's adsorption by the body; other medications may increase or decrease its effectiveness once it is adsorbed. Providing a complete list of medications to the doctor will help with getting the correct dose established for each individual patient. Pregnant and lactating females need to discuss the dose and use of this medication with their caregivers.

The dosage of Armour Thyroid is determined by the condition being treated and is individualized according to patient response and laboratory findings. Armour Thyroid may interact with birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, blood thinners, insulin or oral diabetes medication, medications that contain iodine, salicylates such as aspirin and others, or steroids. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Current information shows Armour Thyroid may be used during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant because your dose may need to be adjusted. Thyroid hormone passes into breast milk but is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.