Armour Thyroid is a medication that is used to treat hypothyroidism. Patients with hypothyroidism use Armour as a replacement for thyroid hormone their body is no longer producing. It is currently the only natural product approved to treat hypothyroidism by the FDA. Tablets of Armour Thyroid contain the active ingredient, thyroid USP, along with inactive ingredients that work as binders and fillers in the tablet.
Thyroid Hormone in Armour Thyroid
The active ingredient in Armour Thyroid is derived from pig thyroid glands. It is a combination of the thyroid hormones T4 (levothyroxine) and T3 (liothyronine). According to Forest Laboratories, the maker of Armour Thyroid, these hormones are in a fixed ratio in each tablet of 4.22 parts T4 to 1 part T3. The prescribing information for Armour Thyroid states each 60 mg tablet of Armour contains 38 mcg of T4 and 9 mcg of T3.
Lubricant in Armour Thyroid Tablets
Calcium stearate is an inactive ingredient used as a lubricant in Armour Thyroid tablets. According to Pharmaceutical Formulation Databases and Resources, lubricants in medication tablets help keep the medication powder from sticking to the equipment used to make the tablet.
Fillers in Armour Thyroid Tablets
Dextrose and microcrystalline cellulose are inactive ingredients used in Armour Thyroid tablets. According to Pharmaceutical Formulation Databases and Resources, these act as fillers and compression aids to improve the overall characteristics of the tablet powder.
Other Inactive Ingredients in Armour Thyroid Tablets
According to Pharmaceutical Formulation Databases and Resources, sodium starch glycolate is used to help the Armour Thyroid tablets dissolve once a patient takes the pill. Opadry white is a coloring agent that helps keep the color consistent in each batch of tablets.
