From the Research
Armour Thyroid should be taken on an empty stomach, 30-60 minutes before eating, to ensure optimal absorption. The medication is typically started at a low dose of 15-30 mg daily and gradually increased every 2-4 weeks based on clinical response and thyroid function tests 1. The maintenance dose usually ranges from 60-120 mg daily, though some patients may require up to 180-240 mg daily. It is essential to monitor thyroid function tests (TSH, free T4, and sometimes free T3) 6-8 weeks after starting therapy and after any dose adjustments.
Key Considerations
- Armour Thyroid contains both T3 and T4 hormones in a fixed ratio (approximately 4:1 T4:T3), which differs from synthetic levothyroxine that contains only T4 2.
- This combination may benefit some patients who don't respond well to T4-only therapy, as it more closely mimics natural thyroid hormone production.
- However, the T3 component has a shorter half-life, which can cause fluctuations in hormone levels throughout the day.
- Elderly patients or those with cardiac conditions should start at lower doses (15 mg) with more gradual increases to avoid potential cardiovascular side effects 3.
Administration and Dosage
- The medication should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach, 30-60 minutes before eating.
- Doses may be split if higher amounts are needed.
- It is crucial to follow the recommended dosage and administration guidelines to minimize potential side effects and ensure optimal treatment outcomes 4, 5.
Patient-Specific Factors
- Patients with persistent symptoms during thyroid hormone replacement therapy should have their levothyroxine doses optimized, aiming for a TSH in the 0.3-2.0 mU/L range for 3 to 6 months before a therapeutic response can be assessed 1.
- In some patients, it may be acceptable to have serum TSH below reference range (e.g., 0.1-0.3 mU/L), but not fully suppressed in the long term.