Armour Thyroid vs. Tirosint

See how Armour Thyroid and Tirosint compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Armour Thyroid is a natural desiccated porcine extract containing both T4 and T3, while Tirosint is a synthetic, T4-only levothyroxine gel capsule.

  • Both treat hypothyroidism and TSH suppression, but Armour Thyroid's animal-derived nature means hormone content can vary slightly between batches.

  • Tirosint's gel-cap formula is free of dyes, gluten, and lactose, which can help people sensitive to fillers found in standard tablets.

Armour Thyroid vs. Tirosint Drug Summary

Armour Thyroid

Armour Thyroid is a natural desiccated thyroid hormone replacement made from porcine thyroid gland, containing both T4 and T3. It treats hypothyroidism and is used to suppress TSH in certain thyroid conditions, taken once daily as an oral tablet.

Tirosint

Tirosint is a synthetic levothyroxine (T4-only) thyroid hormone delivered in a liquid gel capsule. It treats hypothyroidism and is used to suppress TSH in certain thyroid conditions, taken once daily on an empty stomach.

Armour Thyroid vs. Tirosint Side Effects

Armour Thyroid

Most common
Tachycardia/palpitations
Tremors
Insomnia/nervousness
Headache

Tirosint

Most common
Tachycardia/palpitations
Tremors
Insomnia/nervousness
Headache

Armour Thyroid vs. Tirosint Dosage

Armour Thyroid

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 15 mg once daily Weeks 1-2
Maximum dose 60-120 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 3 increases Every 2 weeks

Tirosint

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 12.5-25 mcg once daily At the start
Maximum dose ~1.6 mcg/kg once daily If needed
Dose changes 1 increase As tolerated

Armour Thyroid vs. Tirosint Indications

Armour Thyroid

Armour Thyroid replaces thyroid hormone in people with primary, secondary, or tertiary hypothyroidism. It is also used to suppress pituitary TSH production in thyroid nodules, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, multinodular goiter, and thyroid cancer.

  • Primary, secondary, or tertiary hypothyroidism

  • TSH suppression in thyroid nodules

  • Hashimoto's thyroiditis

  • Multinodular goiter

Tirosint

Tirosint replaces thyroid hormone in people with primary, secondary, or tertiary hypothyroidism. It is also used to suppress pituitary TSH production in thyroid cancer or nodules and goiter.

  • Primary, secondary, or tertiary hypothyroidism

  • TSH suppression in thyroid nodules

  • TSH suppression in goiter

  • Thyroid cancer management

Armour Thyroid vs. Tirosint Pros and Cons

Armour Thyroid

Armour Thyroid offers both T4 and T3 hormones, which some people feel improves symptoms compared to T4-only options. Because it comes from animal glands, batch potency can shift slightly and it is more prone to shortages.

Pros

  • Contains both T4 and T3, unlike T4-only options

  • May suit patients who don't fully respond to T4-only therapy

  • Roughly $40 to $155 per month, lower than Tirosint's $130 to $370

Cons

  • Batch-to-batch hormone content can vary since it's animal-derived

  • Frequently subject to supply shortages and recalls

  • Not FDA-approved via NDA; marketed as pre-1938 grandfathered drug

Tirosint

Tirosint delivers a precisely measured synthetic T4 dose in a liquid gel capsule, which supports consistent absorption. It went through full FDA approval and is formulated without dyes, gluten, or lactose, which helps patients with sensitivities.

Pros

  • FDA-approved through full NDA process for consistent standards

  • Precisely measured synthetic dosing capsule-to-capsule

  • Free of dyes, gluten, and lactose fillers

Cons

  • Roughly $130 to $370 per month, higher than Armour Thyroid

  • Contains no T3, so some patients may need an added T3 medication

  • Boxed warning on cardiac risk when combined with anorexigenic agents

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