Armour Thyroid

Armour Thyroid is a brand name of a drug under the generic name thyroid. This medication is used for the treatment of underactive thyroid, as well as for the treatment and prevention of some goiters. Armour thyroid is also useful in the diagnosis of certain conditions involving the thyroid. Armour Thyroid, a thyroid hormone, serves as a substitute of the “unproduced” thyroid hormones in the body.

There are certain medical conditions which may interact with the drug. Thus, a patient should consult his doctor if: she is pregnant, breastfeeding, or is planning on becoming pregnant; he/she is taking other drugs, herbal products, supplements, or vitamins; he/she has certain food and drug allergies; he/she has history of heart or blood vessel issues, heart attack, or other conditions involving the heart; he/she has history of overactive thyroid, underactive thyroid, diabetes, pituitary gland issues, swelling on the skin, or infertility; he/she is going to undergo surgery.

Some medicines may also interact with Armour Thyroid. Tell your doctor if you are taking other medications. Insulin, digoxin, or oral hypoglycemic drugs may have reduced efficiency when taken along with Armour Thyroid. Taking anticoagulants while under Armour Thyroid may increase the likelihood of bleeding. The effectiveness of Armour Thyroid may also be decreased with the presence of calcium, colestipol, iron, oral contraceptives, cholestyramine, or estrogen.

Armour Thyroid tabs are available in various strengths. However, the medicine should be taken exactly as directed. There’s no such thing as “normal” or “usual” dosage with this drug. The amount a patient needs is dependent on the amount of thyroid hormone his body is capable of producing. Taking less or more than the prescribed amount should be avoided. It is recommended that each dose be taken around the same time each day to achieve consistent results. Those who are taking the medication to make up for their underactive thyroid glands may be required to be under medication indefinitely.

For patients who miss a dose, they should take it right after they remember it. But if the next dose is to be taken in a short while, they should not take the missed dose, but follow the regular dosing time instead. They should avoid taking 2 doses to compensate for the one they missed. Patients who missed two or more consecutive doses should consult their doctors about it.

Doctors tailor Armour Thyroid dosages according the individual need of each patient. However, overdosage can still happen to some patients, particularly those who do not follow what their prescriptions say. Overdose from Armour Thyroid will cause every vital process of the body to speed up, bringing about mental and physical hyperactivity, chest pains, increased appetite, palpitations, rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, nervousness, faster pulse rates, and heat intolerance.

While side effects rarely happen when the medication is taken exactly as instructed, taking more than the prescribed dosage can cause overstimulation. Symptoms of overstimulating the thyroid gland include: sleeplessness, weight loss, nervousness, appetite changes, rapid heart rates, diarrhea, nausea, sweating, fever, irritability, and headache. While hair loss among children under this medication is common and normal, it is also temporary.

The expiration date on Armour Thyroid means that the drug should not be used and should be thrown away. Armour Thyroid offers a 24-month potency life. This means that the drug has a 2 years expiration date from the time it was manufactured. As with any other type of medication, taking a drug beyond its expiration date does not only involve potency issues but side effects as well.

To ensure that Armour Thyroid is working well in addressing your condition, make sure that it is taken according to how it was directed by the doctor.