Armor is an animal-derived thyroid hormone that is used to treat certain thyroid conditions. It is used in cases of hypothyroidism, as well as for the prevention and treatment of goiter, gland cancer and multinodular goiter. Read on to learn how to take it and decide if it's the right solution for you.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Take the Armor
Step 1. Take Armor to Treat Hypothyroidism
It is a drug of animal origin used in hormone replacement therapy for patients suffering from hypothyroidism; however, it is also used in cases of thyroid cancer and to reduce the size of the goiter.
- It is a mixture of thyroid hormones from the pig; the dosage is measured in grains and the dosage varies from 1/4 to 5 grains. It is an alternative to the artificial hormone.
- Symptoms of underactive thyroid are fatigue, dry and frizzy hair, hair loss, dry skin, constant sleepiness, cold intolerance, bradycardia, swollen gland (goiter), unexplained weight gain, constipation and depression.
Step 2. Go to the doctor
Since Armor is prescribed for hypothyroidism or associated diseases, you should see your doctor. This pathology is diagnosed through laboratory tests and symptom analysis; the endocrinologist performs a physical exam to check your thyroid, collects the medical history and asks you for a list of the disorders you have.
- It also prescribes laboratory tests to check certain values, such as the concentration of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
- If treatment is appropriate, discuss the various options with you.
Step 3. Get new TSH tests every few weeks
If your doctor thinks you need Armor, they may prescribe a minimum starting dosage of 1/4 of a grain; after a month or two you have to go back to his clinic for a check-up. TSH levels are measured every 4-6 weeks.
The doctor reads the results of the analyzes and on the basis of them modifies the dosage so that the concentration of the thyroid stimulating hormone is between 0, 5 and 4, 0 mUI / l
Step 4. Monitor your symptoms
Since the normal range of TSH is very wide, you need to check for disturbances during the first few months of hormone therapy; be aware of your health conditions to be able to inform the endocrinologist.
- Some people do not notice improvement in symptoms until the TSH concentration drops below 1.0 mIU / L, while others are much better off with higher levels. This is a very personal parameter, so you must work with your doctor to quantify the dosage that is most suitable for you.
- Keep him informed about tiredness, desire to sleep more, hair changes, dry skin, sensitivity to cold, swelling in the throat, unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight, constipation and feelings of depression.
Step 5. Get the Armor indefinitely
Once you have identified the optimal and personalized dosage, you can keep it for life; in this way, the TSH levels settle on constant and correct values.
However, remember that the dosage can undergo changes. The causes of the possible variations are many, such as illness, stress, menopause, injury or trauma. If you run into any of these circumstances, be sure to call your endocrinologist to evaluate your therapy
Step 6. Determine the best time of day to take the drug
In most cases, the effects are best taken in the morning, one hour before breakfast; however, some patients are better off taking Armor and other thyroid hormones in the evening. The only way to figure this out is to take the product at different times for a while.
Discuss this detail with your doctor to avoid any unpleasant side effects or other problems
Method 2 of 3: Pay Attention During Therapy
Step 1. Take the hormone as directed by the endocrinologist
Take only the prescribed dose, never increase or decrease it on your own; overdose is a real and very dangerous risk, especially in heart patients.
An overdose of any hormone replacement therapy drug that affects the thyroid gland can trigger hyperthyroidism and, in severe cases, coma and even death
Step 2. Do not take this product with the aim of losing weight
Armor should not be taken to treat obesity, as it has proven ineffective for weight loss in individuals with normal TSH.
Abundant doses or an unjustified use can cause very serious side effects, even fatal
Step 3. If you don't eat pork or animal products, avoid taking Armor
Remember that it is a hormone derived from the thyroid gland of this animal; if you have any allergy to pork or religious or philosophical beliefs that prevent you from using its derivatives, you must rely on synthetic hormones.
The synthetic thyroid hormone is artificial and is composed only of T4 (the animal one contains both T4 and T3); most doctors prefer it to natural, because they believe it is safer
Step 4. Be aware of the side effects
Although most patients take the same dose for long periods - even for a lifetime - you should be aware of the possible side effects of a high concentration of thyroid hormones. These include: chest pain, arrhythmia, pounding tachycardia, swollen hands, ankles or feet and convulsions; if you complain of any of these discomforts, go to the emergency room immediately.
- The other symptoms are increased sweating, sensitivity to heat, mood and personality changes such as nervousness and mood swings, tiredness, diarrhea, tremors, headache and shortness of breath.
- Some patients report other negative reactions; whatever they are, you need to call your doctor right away.
Step 5. Monitor Armor carefully when taking other medications
Any type of thyroid product can interact with many other active ingredients. Always tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, because in some situations you have to change the dosage, while in others you have to take the medicine at different times.
- If you are on anticoagulant therapy, you must have blood tests regularly for clotting and the dose of Armor must be changed.
- The natural hormone can interact with insulin or other diabetes medications.
- Cholestyramine and colestipol, which are used to treat hypercholesterolemia and other conditions, should be taken at least 4-6 hours away from this and any other thyroid medication.
- If you are taking estrogen or oral contraceptives, the dose of Armor (or other similar hormones) should be increased.
Method 3 of 3: Read up on Armor and Hypothyroidism
Step 1. Know the function of the thyroid gland
It is an organ located at the base of the neck and is very important because by secreting hormones it controls metabolism, body temperature and heart rate; it also contributes to the growth and development of children. Its function is to release hormones in the body.
- Problems related to this gland fall into two groups: overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and underactive (hypothyroidism).
- Hypothyroidism can be treated with Armor, but hyperthyroidism cannot.
Step 2. Learn about hypothyroidism
This pathology is caused by a poorly functioning gland secreting insufficient doses of hormones, leading to a slowdown in the body's activities. All forms of this disease can result from viral infection, radiation exposure, certain medications, pregnancy, or other rarer factors.
- Insufficient iodine can trigger hypothyroidism; deficiency of this mineral can be an important cause of the disease, as the main source of iodine for people who do not eat fish is iodized salt. Considering that many individuals have reduced their consumption of salt, they have consequently also minimized the intake of this substance.
- Symptoms of an underactive thyroid are fatigue, constipation, depression, frizzy and dry hair, dry skin, constant sleepiness, cold intolerance, bradycardia, swollen thyroid gland (goiter), unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight.
- Hypothyroidism is usually treated with hormone replacement therapy through a drug of animal origin (natural hormone), such as Armor, or with a synthetic product.
Step 3. Know what Armor is
It is an animal-derived thyroid hormone that is used to treat hypothyroidism and is made up of a natural blend of pig hormones; it is measured in grains and the average dosage varies from 1/4 to 5 grains. It is used as hormone replacement therapy for people suffering from any type of hypothyroidism except temporary, as a prevention and treatment of goiter, thyroid nodules, gland cancer and multinodular goiter.
- The 1/4 grain dose is about 15 mg and is equivalent to 25 mcg of synthetic T4 that is usually used; this is the starting dosage.
- The other equivalences are: 1 grain corresponds to 60 mg and 0, 100 mg of synthetic T4, 3 grains are 180 mg and equal to 0, 300 mg of synthetic T4.
