Armour Thyroid and Hair Loss: What Users Say

• mis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 21, 2019

For Hashimoto's disease "I have had Hashimoto's since 1998. Synthroid never worked for me, so the doctor switched me to Nature-Throid, which worked miracles after only 2 months. When there was a shortage of Nature-Throid, I switched to Armour. I have been on Armour for 5 years. At first, I felt great on Armour, but within the last 1 1/2 years, something has changed. All my symptoms returned in September 2018. I have gained 25 lbs, experienced hair and eyebrow loss, brain fog, and extreme fatigue, etc. I would bet money that Armour has changed the formula again but won't admit it. The pills do not smell or taste the same. Fess up, Armour!! Going to the doctor in 2 weeks to try a different NDT. Stay strong!"

• Aut...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 6, 2022

For Underactive Thyroid "Something changed with the formula again between late 2021 and early 2022. My body doesn't lie! And it's getting more expensive. Armour is now causing me to have daily anxiety/panic attacks, headaches, more hair loss, and severe nightly insomnia, even at a lower dose. It's gotten so bad I've had to quit my job. I may have to discontinue thyroid medicine altogether and just take supplements, as nothing currently on the market works, is without horrific side effects, or is affordable. Someone please bring back Nature-throid and WP the way they used to be! Seriously, I am at a loss here. I (and many others) are suffering horribly without them. Two years and counting..."

• Tru...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 25, 2016

For Hashimoto's disease "I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's after a thyroid cancer scare and removal of half of my thyroid gland due to growing nodules. All of the symptoms - tired, depressed, weight gain, hair loss, sensitivity to heat and cold, cold extremities - occurred after having my first child and became progressively worse with each of my children. Since the surgery, I took Synthroid for 10 years and could not lose weight no matter what I tried. I went to a progressive doctor who put me on Armour, and I have lost 35 pounds in the past year. My mood and energy levels are excellent, and my memory and brain function are much sharper. My levels are a bit too high or vary, but that is where I feel the best, and my doctor allows me to stay there. Find a doctor that will listen to you."

• Bad...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 29, 2019

For Hashimoto's disease "I have been on Armour Thyroid 60 mg for 15 years with 15 mg added 3 days a week for 7 years. I couldn't take Synthroid due to an allergy to the fillers. I am suddenly having body aches, body swelling, my hair is falling out, random rash on my face, foot pain that will not go away. Is it the Armour? I know a new company makes it now. I've been fine through all the claims that Armour had changed, but this last refill has me wondering. The one endo in my area is worthless, and I am not sure how to get to the bottom of this. My numbers are all good and have been. Of course, now that I'm on Medicare, I am paying full price for Armour."

• lis...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 3, 2023

For Hashimoto's disease "I have been on Armour Thyroid 60 mg for the past thirty years with good results. I split my pill in half and took it twice a day. But in the past three months, it seems that the medication is no longer what it used to be. My hair started falling, my hands grew icy cold in the evening, and I had a ringing in the ears. Indigestion, gas, and a feeling of anxiety. In the past two weeks, I fell repeatedly flat on my back with no warning. Unable to get up, my husband called the paramedics to take me to the hospital. There, they did not find anything and glossed over my report that I am hypothyroid and that I am taking medication for it. Instead, they focused on my cholesterol level of 257 and recommended Lipitor. The Armour formulation is not the same."

• Gra...
• May 27, 2021

For Underactive Thyroid "I had benign thyroid nodules, 2 docs thought I had thyroid cancer, so I had a partial thyroidectomy. No doc did a biopsy, shame. Endo shamed me for asking for Armour. I suffered badly on Synthroid and all other synthetic meds. Finally, I convinced my PCP to try me on Armour 120, it was a miracle for me. I got well. I continued on Armour 120 mgs for 28+ years, same dose, no problems. Over the last approximately 2 years, the strength of Armour 120 mgs changed, the cost skyrocketed, and it is not covered by insurance. I gained weight, had hair loss, and puffiness on my old perfect dose of Armour 120. Gyn doc prescribed Armour 180. I am much better, brain fog gone. Hair loss gone. When thyroid dose is correct, you will feel well again! The endo doc told me Armour Thyroid was made from sick pigs and not good for humans. If that were true, why do heart specialists use pig parts for heart surgery and other surgeries?"

• Rae...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2017

For Underactive Thyroid "I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 1999, so the doctor put me on levothyroxine. I never felt any different, and as the years passed, my symptoms got worse. My levels became worse, and I was then diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. My weight went up and down, more up than down. The fatigue was so severe that I thought about ending my life. Having two boys, that wasn't an option. After years of being on levothyroxine with doctors increasing the dosage, I got sick of it and stopped taking it. I could not function on it, it was like a sleeping pill to me. I was bloated all the time, and my hair was breaking off. I made an appointment with my doctor a few weeks ago, and after all these years, I told her about my issues with levothyroxine. She said, 'Let's check your levels, and I'll switch you to Armour Thyroid.' It's the best thing ever, I wake up feeling as though I've slept."

• wha...
• February 26, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "I've been taking Armour for several years now. Somewhere along the line, all of my symptoms such as constipation, weight gain and trouble losing weight, hair loss, trouble falling asleep despite being extremely tired, low energy, headaches, brain fog, etc., came back with a vengeance. My endo sees nothing wrong with my labs and tells me it must be something I'm eating. I went along with this theory until one day I went online to find out why my prescription cost went up so much. Much to my surprise, I stumbled across many others like me complaining of symptoms coming back despite lab work being in range. Everyone noticed the changes came about when Forest sold! I'm switching doctors and hope to find another medication!"

• Why...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 19, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "Why can't they go back to the old method of making Armour Thyroid? I've tried the synthetic meds before. I don't feel like myself and had many issues with side effects. Even a mix of two different ones trying to get my t3 right. TSH levels always good or played games of too high or too low until the T3 was studied. Yes, I've had more issues with sleeping, insomnia, irritability, focus, weight loss, hair loss, and for the first time in my life, I had a migraine over a year ago and now need to take daily meds for them. Does anyone know of another company, even out of the US, where we could buy the old formula from? Use of pig glands certainly can't be expensive. Just another company filling their pockets while giving a lesser product, we suffer."

• Ano...
• February 15, 2015

For Hashimoto's disease "Like many others, I received a diagnosis after getting so bad that I could barely walk. I couldn't get out of a chair without rolling over to the arm and pulling/pushing myself out. I was prescribed synthetic medication and got a bit better, but my hair started falling out and I got headaches. I started the research and insisted on the Armour. Huge difference, especially in mental performance. I make my living by doing analyses on high-risk complex things. It was so wonderful to get my brain back. I had some help from a naturopathic doctor who suggested that I add supplements to address any adrenal damage (adrenal rebuilders). The final step has been traditional Chinese medicine, and I am now almost off the Armour too. Western medicine will tell you that thyroid treatment is a lifelong path. Maybe."

• gui...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 8, 2022

For Hashimoto's disease "Today is Sept 8 of 2022, I have had them all from expensive Tirosint SOL to pathetic Synthroid generics. They all have terrible side effects that I can't handle. Lately, I've been a guinea pig to Armour Thyroid for the past year and guess what? I've been pushed to see a psychiatrist because of the anxiety, depression, insomnia, and panic attacks it's caused me. I was fine on NP Thyroid for 2 years before the big distributors and politicians decided to stick their greedy hands in what did not involve THEIR own health. Ever since the 2020 downfall, I have been forced to anti-depressants and counseling... as if 'WE' THE PATIENTS have no absolute idea what our bodies feel like after living in it for years or changing medications. And surviving COVID wasn't difficult enough. For now, I am stuck with anxiety, chest pains on and off, depression, and somewhat hair loss. If anyone knows a better remedy... please pass it on. Best of luck to everyone out there still fighting the uphill war."

• Emy...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 26, 2021

For Underactive Thyroid "Armour is sadly not working well for me! Someone needs to investigate. My labs this month (July 2021) have officially tanked. On a fairly decent dose (210 mgs) plus I still have my own thyroid. Yet my free T4 is very low at 0.90, my reverse T3 has skyrocketed to 17.5, which has never happened before, at least not since all this time I’ve been on NDTs (2014 onward). Free T3 on the lower part of the range/still not optimal at 3.0, and I am very symptomatic; hands dry, bleeding, and cracking open, 50 lb weight gain in the last year, hair falling like crazy, so hard to get up in the mornings and function, mood swings/depression/anxiety, hard to go to sleep at a decent time, which doesn’t make sense considering I’m exhausted/dozing off all day (unless this med has thrown me into some serious adrenal fatigue). That time of the month (and the leading up to it) has become a painful, emotional nightmare. Need Nature-Throid, WP, and NP thyroid to be back and consistent the way they were before :-("

• Swe...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 8, 2023

For Hashimoto's disease "I have been on Armour since 1999, except for the time a few years ago when it wasn't available. Have had good luck with it until last year and started experiencing a dry mouth, clenching/snapping jaw, extreme hair loss, nausea at night, and extreme insomnia. Armour is the only medication I take, and I take no supplements. I think there is a serious problem with this medication that is not being addressed."

• Sic...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 4, 2020

For Hashimoto's disease "I have been on Armour 180mg almost 11 years. I tried Synthroid first. My TSH was 195, I was 26. When I started, it put me into a major craze. I still don’t know what. It felt like I had bugs crawling in my skin, and I can’t stress enough how horrible it was. I feel like the last 10 years of my life are a blur. I just kind of tolerated it, I lost the weight I gained. Way too terrified to try any other medication after what I went through, I just dealt with it. Fast forward to 2019, I feel terrible despite my TSH actually being a little hyper because of suppressing my goiter. I got from my TSH being 195. I now have gained 50 pounds, my hair is now falling out again. I’m sore everywhere. I barely get out of bed, I can’t think or remember anything. My vision is rapidly declining. I am in such bad shape that I’m actually going to the doctor to ask him to switch me to a T4-only medication to see if this helps. I can’t take being bedridden anymore, it’s got to the point where I cannot even work anymore."

• all...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

For Hashimoto's disease "I was on Levothyroxine for 20 years and no problems. I maintained trim weight with long-distance mile runs, the meds, and somewhat healthy diet. And then after a big move to Florida (stress), menopause in full swing, and other stress, everything changed big time. Gained 50 lbs, terrible body cramps, hair loss, sluggish, swollen face, pain in my feet when I first woke in the a.m. and couldn't run anymore. I was told over and over my thyroid numbers were fine, and then I came on here and read and deduced I had to force the doctors to listen to me and not vice versa. I have now been on Armour for only one week. I have been able to start running, I have lost 10 lbs already, and I am very hopeful the other 40 will happen in time. Still learning about iron meds and other numbers in blood to watch and take supplements. Hoping I can have even more success to report."

• Anonymous
• November 1, 2008

For Underactive Thyroid "My blood test said I was on the low side of normal, yet I was having very bad pain in my legs and feet and having chills and loss of hair. I was put on this drug and the pain is gone in my legs and feet. I no longer have chills and my hair is growing back."

• sun...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 5, 2019

For Hashimoto's disease "I was a real advocate for this medication brand for such a long time, I felt good on this medication. I tried generic levothyroxine and Synthroid and didn't respond well to those medications. But now, since this past April 2019, I'm not sure this medication brand works for me anymore. I'm experiencing extreme hair loss and don't know what to do. I think I might have developed an allergic reaction to the dyes found in this medication. I've also contacted the distributor, Allergan, and they indicated that they have not changed the formulation of this medication since 2008. I don't know what to do, I think I'm going to have to try another medication brand."

• JB2...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 7, 2017

For Hashimoto's disease "I've been on Armour forever, but in the last year, I found my dosage going up to 150 plus Liothyronine at 30 mcg/day and all of these horrible symptoms coming back and new ones that I at first thought were lifestyle-induced due to a career change and a move. That was until I found out that Forrester Laboratories was bought out by Allergan in 2015, and the same issues from the 2008-2009 reformulation are being reported in mass numbers...everything from lab issues, high increases in dosages, chronic fatigue, vision issues, skyrocketing co-pays to hair loss, etc. I checked my bottles this weekend and realized that they all read Forrester/Allergan and will be researching new natural options and speaking with my doctor on Monday!"

• Ski...
• October 13, 2017

For Underactive Thyroid "I took Armour for 12 years, and it worked great. Then they pulled it off the market for several years to reformulate it. It costs about 4 times as much and doesn't work for me at all. Hair loss and makes me extremely agitated. I switched to Nature Throid, but now Express Scripts is out of that. I am hoping NP Thyroid works. Maybe Big Pharma be taken down by good government regulations, so they can't make all the rules for those of us who need medication."

• Anonymous
• September 11, 2009

For Underactive Thyroid "I was prescribed Armour Thyroid after trying Synthroid and finding out it didn't work for me. With Synthroid, I actually felt worse: nausea, no appetite, even more tired, but Armour Thyroid was such a relief and made me feel normal again. It made my hair stop falling out at such an alarming rate and helped my weight stabilize. I actually have energy to do things now! I have been told by my pharmacist though that Armour Thyroid is no longer being made. I have to try to switch to another natural thyroid medication, and I'm not sure what my doctor will be giving me. I hope my testimonial on the effectiveness of this medication, in combination with everyone else's, might show how good this medication is and bring it back."

• Nac...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 30, 2016

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "On Synthroid for a year post-subtotal thyroidectomy in 2002, gained 17 lbs in just a few months, hair fell out, felt miserable. Switched to Armour in 2003 and got my life and health back. Compounded thyroid is cheaper, so I started using that with no issues until last year, when I was no longer able to get my compounded thyroid as I'm now in the U.K., which only compounds thyroid for animals, not humans. Back on Armour last year and the weight started creeping back up, fatigue set in, cold at night, all the hypo symptoms came back despite my labs looking great. I put on 8 lbs in three months! Switched to Nature Throid and the weight is coming off again, and I feel normal. Forrest Pharma pulled a Martin Shkreli."

• kar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2023

For Underactive Thyroid "I have been dealing with hypothyroidism since 1985 - 8 years after having radioactive iodine treatment. I was on Synthroid and levothyroxine for years. And then I heard about the natural treatment with Armour. Started taking that somewhere around 2002. Moved and got a new endocrinologist who said didn't like Armour and put me on levothyroxine. It took me over 9 months to figure out that my problem with my hair falling out was caused by the switch to levothyroxine. (Had multiple tests for all kinds of issues thinking that may have caused the hair loss.) I literally lost 3/4 of my hair. When he switched me back to Armour, within 3 weeks my hair stopped falling out. However, I felt better on the levothyroxine. NOW my dilemma is what to do. I do not want to go back to levothyroxine and have my hair start to fall out again. My TSH went from 8.77 in Jan '23 to 0.01 in March! The MD has changed the dose multiple times and at a very high price to me. I feel awful most of the time."

• Hyp...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 4, 2021

For Hashimoto's disease "My endo told me in June of this year that Armour had stopped working for her patients. I continued on it, I trusted Armour. It has been around forever. Big mistake. I have had inconsistent dosing that made me hypo, which showed on labs and labs that showed my hyper. I had inconsistent dosing in bottles where I'd take a pill and feel fine, another hypo, another like I'd taken speed. Symptoms were terrifying: anxiety, anxiety attacks, racing heartbeat, palpitations, hot flashes, irregular periods, spotting, hot flashes, migraines, dizziness, high cortisol had to be tested for Cushing's-negative, thank goodness-high blood pressure, panic attacks, insomnia, agitation, inability to handle stress of any kind, hair fall, vision problems, nausea with the migraines, all sorts of digestive issues including food intolerances and diarrhea. I've been in fight or flight for months. I was switched to Levoxyl. My last labs on Armour were normal, but I had all the above symptoms."

• AZG...
• August 20, 2011

For Underactive Thyroid "I've been on Armour for over 3 months now, and my TSH and T4 levels are only getting worse. I go to the doctor every 3 weeks to have my blood drawn, and there has been no improvement! Every time I go to the doctor, they keep having to up the dosage to 30 mg, and each increase I feel worse and worse. My hair has fallen out, I feel lethargic and achy all over, I can't sleep at night, and when I finally do get to sleep, I wind up staying in bed for 13 hours! I have no energy."

• Tia...
• November 8, 2020

For Hashimoto's disease "Armour Thyroid 60 mg was okay for about 3 months, then I got edema in my feet and hands. Paresthesia in my leg and face. Horrible nerve problems with trembling, shaking hands. I was dizzy and very depressed, hair loss, weight gain, tiredness, sweating, crying, vision problems-couldn’t drive, freezing. I couldn’t function. All my hypo symptoms were worse than ever. Emergency carpal tunnel surgery. Heart palpitations, high blood pressure. I reduced and then stopped, and symptoms started to go away. Back to Synthroid and am a work in progress again. 5 endo docs and none helped me. They just look at TSH. Good luck, everyone. Stay away from Armour, and Nature Thyroid was just as bad. All my scans and blood work normal. Good luck, everyone."