Weight Loss Secrets of Armour Thyroid

As people continue on their search for easy weight-loss remedies, products which are made for other purposes other than weight loss are now being used to satisfy this need. One of these products is Armour Thyroid.

Armour Thyroid is a brand of thyroid extract made from mixed pork and beef thyroid glands used for the treatment of goiter and hypothyroidism (a disease where the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones). All brands contain a mixture of the T4 (thyroxine), T3 (triiodothyronine) thyroid hormones in the proportions usually present in pig thyroids (approximately 80% T4 and 20% T3). Armour is made in the following strengths: 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, and 3 grain as well as 4 and 5 grain tablets.

Armour Thyroid speeds up one's metabolism which makes it attractive to people who want to lose weight. However, many experts discourage its use for this purpose because not only is the drug meant to treat a different ailment, it is also ineffective as a weight loss drug. Health experts instead recommend maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regiment as an effective weight loss strategy.

Also, experts warn against the use of the drug when taken with appetite suppressants. Doing so would up the risk of getting some serious side effects from the use of Armour Thyroid.

Taking too much of the drug may lead to the overproduction of hormones in the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Symptoms of thyroid gland over stimulation include sleeplessness, nausea, diarrhea, headache, irritability, nervousness, sweating, fever and an increased heart rate.

Armour Thyroid also tends to aggravate diabetes symptoms and under active adrenal glands. People who are also suffering from angina are also cautioned about using this drug.

Using Armour Thyroid along with other drugs can increase, decrease or alter the effectiveness of either drug. It is very important to check with your doctor first before you take Armour Thyroid with the following:

Asthma medications such as Theo-Dur

Oral diabetes drugs such as Diabinese and Glucotrol)

Blood thinners such as Coumadin

Estrogen preparations (including some birth control pills such as Ortho-Novum and Premarin)

Insulin