Hi,
Both of these medications can be used to treat
hypothyroidism however Synthyroid (T3) has better safety profile and efficacy and its effects can be easily monitored by lab tests.
Armour thyroid is a natural product made from animal thyroid glands which contains both thyroid hormones,
triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).
As compared to synthyroid, Armour thyroid is known to cause more side effects such as tachycardia,
palpitation, sweating, tremors, weight loss, menstrual irregularities and difficulty in monitoring by laboratory tests and a greater risk cardiotoxicity of hair loss during the first few months of treatment.
Armour thyroid may also interact with a number of other drugs such as birth control pills or
hormone replacement therapy, blood thinners, insulin or oral diabetes medication, medications that contain iodine, salicylates such as aspirin and others, or steroids.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali, General & Family Physician