From the Research
Definition and Composition of Armour Thyroid
- Armour Thyroid, also known as desiccated thyroid, is a natural porcine derivative thyroid supplement that contains both thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The LT4/LT3 ratio in desiccated thyroid extract (DTE) is approximately 4:1, with the mean daily dose needed to normalize serum TSH containing around 11 mcg T3 4.
Medical Use of Armour Thyroid
- Armour Thyroid has been used for over a century to treat hypothyroidism, with dosages adjusted to resolve symptoms and normalize the basal metabolic rate and/or serum protein-bound iodine level 3.
- Some patients may require higher doses of DTE, and the consistency of T4 and T3 contents is monitored by manufacturers only, as it remains outside formal FDA oversight 4.
- A trial of combination therapy with LT4+LT3, including desiccated thyroid extract, can be considered for patients who have not benefited from LT4 therapy alone 4.
Potential Risks and Interactions
- Self-administration of Armour Thyroid without physician monitoring can be dangerous, particularly when combined with other supplements such as exogenous testosterone therapy, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular events 5.
- Hyperthyroidism, which can be caused by excessive use of Armour Thyroid, increases the risk of cardiovascular events two to three times through the propagation of a hypercoagulable, hypofibrinolytic state 5.
- Patients should be discouraged from self-administering thyroid or anabolic steroids due to the potential drug interactions and lack of standardization in the T3 content of Armour Thyroid 5.