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What's in Armour?
I'm in Australia and after reading a few questions/answers here on the forum, many people talk of Armour. Seems we only have Oroxine in Australia. Oroxine has Thyroxine Sodium in it. Can someone tell me what's in Armour?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Many people who have Hashimoto’s/hypothyroidism are deficient in Vitamin B12, iron, and vitamin D, and it’s true that iron, selenium and zinc are needed in the conversion process; however, there’s no real link between vitamin D and Vitamin B12 in the conversion process or even in how the body uses thyroid hormones. If anyone knows of studies proving otherwise, please post links…
Vitamin B12 is necessary for the manufacture of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. It and other B vitamins are also necessary for proper nerve and brain function.
Vitamin D is necessary for proper immune function, along with myriad other functions in the body.
Zinc and selenium are not standard tests, done on a routine basis. Typically, they are only done with a full micro-nutrient workup, which is very expensive (at least, in the U.S) and is not covered by many/most insurance companies.
I agree with des that doctors, often, don’t test for B12, D and ferritin/iron like they should, and deficiencies often, end up leaving patients feeling poorly, even after thyroid hormones have reached optimal levels.
I’ve never really felt that desiccated hormones are any more “natural” than synthetics – what’s natural about chomping pig thyroid? And let’s not forget that pigs produce much more T3 than people do, so again, it’s not “natural” for people to take pig thyroid…On the other hand, synthetics are, supposedly, identical to what the body would make, if it could.
That’s MY opinion. I really see nothing totally right or wrong with any of the available medications; it all depends on what’s available, what an individual prefers, what their doctor will prescribe and what their body needs, when it comes to the balance between T4 and T3. Some people need the extra T3 in the desiccated hormones and some don’t.
Some people prefer the simplicity of the once daily T4 meds, others don’t mind the multiple doses of meds with T3 components, whether that be desiccated or synthetics. Desiccated hormones can’t be adjusted independently like synthetic hormones can; that’s what I’ve always liked about the synthetics…
Vitamin B12 is necessary for the manufacture of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. It and other B vitamins are also necessary for proper nerve and brain function.
Vitamin D is necessary for proper immune function, along with myriad other functions in the body.
Zinc and selenium are not standard tests, done on a routine basis. Typically, they are only done with a full micro-nutrient workup, which is very expensive (at least, in the U.S) and is not covered by many/most insurance companies.
I agree with des that doctors, often, don’t test for B12, D and ferritin/iron like they should, and deficiencies often, end up leaving patients feeling poorly, even after thyroid hormones have reached optimal levels.
I’ve never really felt that desiccated hormones are any more “natural” than synthetics – what’s natural about chomping pig thyroid? And let’s not forget that pigs produce much more T3 than people do, so again, it’s not “natural” for people to take pig thyroid…On the other hand, synthetics are, supposedly, identical to what the body would make, if it could.
That’s MY opinion. I really see nothing totally right or wrong with any of the available medications; it all depends on what’s available, what an individual prefers, what their doctor will prescribe and what their body needs, when it comes to the balance between T4 and T3. Some people need the extra T3 in the desiccated hormones and some don’t.
Some people prefer the simplicity of the once daily T4 meds, others don’t mind the multiple doses of meds with T3 components, whether that be desiccated or synthetics. Desiccated hormones can’t be adjusted independently like synthetic hormones can; that’s what I’ve always liked about the synthetics…
Personally I feel much of the under conversion is due to Vitamin D, B12, Ferritin, Zinc, Selenium deficiencies. Doctors treating hypothyroid hardly test for these and simply prescribe only levothyroxine and that's why most feel unwell.
1 Comments
what causes the lack of conversion could be many things.
one thing is for sure, that if the body worked perfectly, we wouldn't need to have any hormone replacement at all. So the fact that the body doesn't work perfectly, means that it is possible that the conversion process may not work perfectly either despite all the proper levels of vitamins etc.
While I agree that Armour or any Natrual Dessicated Thyroid (NDT) is "natural" because they are all manipulated to obtain the proper balance for potency etc.
But euqally it is cerainly not "natural" to take man made and generated synthetic T4.
So suffice it to say that any hormone we take to regulate and optimize thyroid levels for those who need replacement in the first place.
If there is no religious reason that would eliminate from consideration a particular medicince, then what a person takes, or in any combination doesn't matter as long as the patient finds a means to feel well and become optimized.
Different medications work differently for each person. The "art" of thyroid or any medication process is to find the "right" combination that works for the specific patient.
I do generally believe in the KISS principle and keeping it as simple as possible. And a synthetic T4 once a day is about as simple as you can get. But there are a LOT of people that no amount of T4 only works. So they are left with needing to add in synthetic T4 or NDT or any combination of all of those. Again, whatever works.
one thing is for sure, that if the body worked perfectly, we wouldn't need to have any hormone replacement at all. So the fact that the body doesn't work perfectly, means that it is possible that the conversion process may not work perfectly either despite all the proper levels of vitamins etc.
While I agree that Armour or any Natrual Dessicated Thyroid (NDT) is "natural" because they are all manipulated to obtain the proper balance for potency etc.
But euqally it is cerainly not "natural" to take man made and generated synthetic T4.
So suffice it to say that any hormone we take to regulate and optimize thyroid levels for those who need replacement in the first place.
If there is no religious reason that would eliminate from consideration a particular medicince, then what a person takes, or in any combination doesn't matter as long as the patient finds a means to feel well and become optimized.
Different medications work differently for each person. The "art" of thyroid or any medication process is to find the "right" combination that works for the specific patient.
I do generally believe in the KISS principle and keeping it as simple as possible. And a synthetic T4 once a day is about as simple as you can get. But there are a LOT of people that no amount of T4 only works. So they are left with needing to add in synthetic T4 or NDT or any combination of all of those. Again, whatever works.
COMMUNITY LEADER
It's true that Armour contains pig thyroid and would be against some religions... It is not true, however, that levothyroxine is the best choice of medication, simply because it's T4 and that's what the human thyroid produces the most of... The human thyroid also produces T3 (though not as much), so it's perfectly normal to take a product containing T3.
It's very important to note that T3 is much more potent than T4, whether it be from pig thyroid or human thyroid, so much less T3 is needed than T4. It's also important to note that not everyone is able to accomplish the conversion process adequately and some of must supply a separate source of T3. Unfortunately, T3 meds are not available in all countries.
It's very important to note that T3 is much more potent than T4, whether it be from pig thyroid or human thyroid, so much less T3 is needed than T4. It's also important to note that not everyone is able to accomplish the conversion process adequately and some of must supply a separate source of T3. Unfortunately, T3 meds are not available in all countries.
Armour thyroid contains piggy thyroid parts thus both non veg source and also prohibited in many religions. Also for concern it might also contain piggy hormones. Thus it have its drawbacks too. I think it should be taken at last resort after ruling out all deficiencies like Vitamin D, B12, Ferritin, Zinc, Selenium etc and also adrenal, liver, intestinal problems etc.
Human thyroid gland produces mostly T4 and T3 is produced by conversion in various organs so thinking that aspect levothyroxine is still the best and safe approach. Its fully standardized and contains purely a synthetic version of thyroxine.
Human thyroid gland produces mostly T4 and T3 is produced by conversion in various organs so thinking that aspect levothyroxine is still the best and safe approach. Its fully standardized and contains purely a synthetic version of thyroxine.
its not that I dissapprove of armour and I know its supposed to be "natural" but I jsut dont think there is anything natruarl about putting little piggy thyroids in my body. Just me and my opinion and how I feel about it. Not trying to controversial besides cnacer suppression patients cant take it.
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The Armour® Thyroid product contains:
1. Thyroid Powder, USP
2. Dextrose, Anhydrous
3. Microcrystalline Cellulose, NF
4. Sodium Starch Glycolate, NF
5. Calcium Stearate, NF
6. Opadry White (titanium dioxide used as a whitening agent)
Armour Thyroid does not contain gluten or lactose.
As a natural product obtained from porcine (pig) thyroid glands,
Armour® Thyroid may have a strong, characteristic odor.
Different lots of thyroid powder are mixed together and analyzed to achieve the desired ratio of T4 to T3 in each lot of tablets.
It contains all the T's needed to support a balance. Synthetic Synthroid is a T4 only and the body then needs to convert that T4 into all the T's neededfor balance.
Some like it as I - and others disapprove.
1. Thyroid Powder, USP
2. Dextrose, Anhydrous
3. Microcrystalline Cellulose, NF
4. Sodium Starch Glycolate, NF
5. Calcium Stearate, NF
6. Opadry White (titanium dioxide used as a whitening agent)
Armour Thyroid does not contain gluten or lactose.
As a natural product obtained from porcine (pig) thyroid glands,
Armour® Thyroid may have a strong, characteristic odor.
Different lots of thyroid powder are mixed together and analyzed to achieve the desired ratio of T4 to T3 in each lot of tablets.
It contains all the T's needed to support a balance. Synthetic Synthroid is a T4 only and the body then needs to convert that T4 into all the T's neededfor balance.
Some like it as I - and others disapprove.
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