Armour Thyroid vs. Unithroid
See how Armour Thyroid and Unithroid compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Armour Thyroid combines natural T4 and T3 hormone from pork thyroid gland, while Unithroid is a synthetic, T4-only tablet.
Both treat hypothyroidism with lifelong daily dosing, but only Armour Thyroid is FDA-approved to suppress TSH in benign thyroid nodules and goiter.
Unithroid went through full modern FDA approval with standardized dosing, while Armour Thyroid is an older grandfathered product with more variable hormone content.
Armour Thyroid vs. Unithroid 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 suppresses pituitary TSH in certain thyroid conditions, taken once daily by mouth.
Unithroid
Unithroid is a synthetic levothyroxine (T4) tablet used to replace thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism and to suppress TSH after thyroid cancer surgery. It's taken once daily by mouth, on an empty stomach before breakfast.
Armour Thyroid vs. Unithroid Side Effects
Armour Thyroid
Unithroid
Armour Thyroid vs. Unithroid Dosage
Armour Thyroid
Unithroid
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 15 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 60-120 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | As tolerated |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 12.5-25 mcg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 100-200 mcg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | As tolerated |
Armour Thyroid
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 15 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 60-120 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | As tolerated |
Unithroid
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 12.5-25 mcg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 100-200 mcg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | As tolerated |
Armour Thyroid vs. Unithroid Indications
Armour Thyroid
Armour Thyroid is FDA-recognized for replacing thyroid hormone in primary, secondary, and tertiary hypothyroidism. It's also approved to suppress pituitary TSH in thyroid nodules, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, multinodular goiter, and thyroid cancer.
Primary, secondary, or tertiary hypothyroidism replacement
TSH suppression in thyroid nodules and goiter
TSH suppression in Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Adjunct TSH suppression in thyroid cancer
Unithroid
Unithroid replaces thyroid hormone in primary, secondary, and tertiary hypothyroidism in both children and adults. It's also approved as an adjunct to surgery and radioiodine therapy for TSH suppression in certain thyroid cancers, but not for benign nodules or goiters.
Primary, secondary, or tertiary hypothyroidism replacement
Approved for pediatric and adult patients
Adjunct TSH suppression in thyroid cancer only
Not approved for benign nodules or goiter suppression
Armour Thyroid vs. Unithroid Pros and Cons
Armour Thyroid
Armour Thyroid offers combination T4/T3 therapy from natural desiccated thyroid extract, appealing to patients who don't feel well on T4-only drugs. Because it predates modern FDA drug approval requirements, it hasn't undergone the same large-scale efficacy trials as newer synthetic options.
Pros
Contains both T4 and T3, not just T4
Approved for TSH suppression in nodules and goiter
Naturally sourced from desiccated porcine thyroid
Cons
Not reviewed through the modern FDA approval process
Hormone content can vary from batch to batch
Frequently affected by manufacturing shortages
Unithroid
Unithroid is a synthetic, T4-only levothyroxine that went through full FDA approval in 2001, giving it a more standardized safety and efficacy record. It comes in twelve precise dosage strengths, which helps clinicians fine-tune treatment, but it isn't approved for suppressing benign thyroid nodules or goiters.
Pros
FDA-approved through the modern NDA process
Consistent, standardized synthetic hormone content
Twelve dosage strengths allow precise titration
Cons
Contains only T4, no added T3 hormone
Not approved for suppressing benign nodules or goiter
May not relieve symptoms needing extra T3
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