Armour thyroid is a prescription medication that contains natural thyroid hormones. Doctors prescribe Armour thyroid tablets for the treatment of conditions like hypothyroidism, a condition that affects approximately 5 percent of the U.S. population, according to the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service.

Source

Armour thyroid contains chemicals derived from pigs and is approximately four times stronger than the synthetic form of thyroid hormones known as levothyroxine, according to RxList. The medication has a strong odor because of its natural origins.

Function

Taking Armour thyroid increases your body's supply of a necessary hormone called T4 that is typically produced by your thyroid gland. This hormone is vital to the properly functioning of your body as every cell in your body depends upon its effects to help regulate their internal processes, reports EndocrineWeb.

Uses

In addition to treating hypothyroidism or decreased production of thyroid hormones, doctors also prescribe Armour thyroid to treat goiters and thyroid cancer, two conditions that often occur due to low levels of thyroid hormones in your body.

Benefits

For patients with hypothyroidism, the correct dosage of Armour thyroid provides relief from symptoms like facial swelling, cold intolerance, joint and muscle pain, constipation, thinning hair and changes in menstruation, reports the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service.

Considerations

Patients with a history of adrenal gland dysfunction, blood clotting disorders, heart disease or diabetes may not be able to safely take Armour thyroid, cautions the Mayo Clinic.

Source:

Mayo Clinic: Thyroid (Oral Route)

EndocrineWeb: How Your Thyroid Works

National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service: Hypothyroidism

More Information:

RxList: Armour Thyroid (Thyroid Tablets)