Armour Thyroid medication is a prescribed medication used to treat hypothyroidism, states MayoClinic.com. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone controls the way the body's tissues use energy, thus, low thyroid hormone levels can result in weight gain, fatigue, depression and cold intolerance, among other symptoms. Thus, a patient must take synthetic thyroid hormone to keep the body's energy processes functioning normally. While beneficial, Armour Thyroid medicaion has associated side effects that a patient should be aware of.
Diarrhea
Drugs.com states that side effects associated with Armour Thyroid are rare; however, too much medication or a rapid change in doses may cause diarrhea in some patients. This occurs because Armour Thyroid can affect chemical signals in the gastrointestinal tract that cause it to digest food to rapidly. In this case, an adjustment of the medication dose will likely cure this symptom. If a medication adjustment is ineffective, a doctor may prescribe a different medication to help control diarrhea, or he may prescribe a different synthetic thyroid medication. To avoid diarrhea complications a patient should be sure to drink plenty of water until this side effect is appropriately treated.
Nervousness
Armour Thyroid may cause nervousness in some patients, states Drugs.com. This occurs because Armour Thyroid may speed up processes in the brain that are related to nervousness and anxiety. This may cause a patient to tremor, have a rapid heart rate and feel anxious in situations that were not intimidating prior to taking Armour Thyroid. In this case, a patient should schedule an appointment with his doctor and let him know that he is feeling more nervous than usual. The doctor may change the dose of the medication or prescribe a different medication that does not cause nervousness in that patient.
Fever
According to Drugs.com, a patient taking Armour Thyroid may experience fever. This occurs because Armour Thyroid speeds up chemical reactions in the body, similar to natural thyroid hormone. Fever generally occurs when too much Armour Thyroid has been given or if the dose of Armour Thyroid is given too rapidly. Too much medication can speed up chemical reactions, which generates excessive heat and causes fever. Armour Thyroid may also affect the part of the brain that controls body temperature. In this case, a patient should make his doctor aware that he is having frequent fevers so the proper medication adjustment can be made.
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