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
Tirosint
Armour Thyroid vs. Tirosint Dosage
Armour Thyroid
Tirosint
| 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 |
| 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
| 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
| 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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