Are you one of the many women struggling with an underactive thyroid? You may have wondered if there is a difference between taking Thyroid-S and Armour Thyroid. Here we will break down the differences between these two medications and help you decide which is best for you.
Table of Contents
What is Thyroid-S?
Thyroid-S is a Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT) medication typically used to treat hypothyroidism and symptoms of similar thyroid diseases. It’s made from the porcine (pigs) thyroid gland; this drug can supplement your body’s natural production of hormones vital for health.
Thyroid-S is manufactured in Thailand by Sriprasit Pharma. It comes in only one strength:
60 mg of thyroid extract per tablet. That’s 1 grain.
What is Armour Thyroid?
Armour Thyroid is a medication that has been used as a treatment for hypothyroidism for over a century. The active ingredient in Armour Thyroid is desiccated thyroid extract, which contains both thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). In addition, Armour Thyroid also contains small amounts of thyroxines T2 and T1, as well as calcitonin and iodine.
These cofactors help to ensure that the thyroid hormone is properly metabolized and utilized by the body. Armour Thyroid is currently manufactured in the USA by AbbVie. It is available by prescription only and should be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Armour Thyroid comes in 8 different strengths:
- 15mg (1/4grain)
- 30mg (1/2 grain)
- 60mg (1 grain)
- 90mg (11/2 grain)
- 120mg (2 grain)
- 180m (3 grain)
- 240mg (4 grain)
- 300mg (5 grain)
Which is better, Thyroid-S or Armour Thyroid?
Both Thyroid-S and Armour Thyroid are considered to be safe and effective options for treating an underactive thyroid. Thyroid-S is manufactured in Thailand, while Armour Thyroid is manufactured in the USA.
Both products contain the same active ingredient, Thyroid USP. Thyroid-S is just as effective as Armour Thyroid.
In addition, Thyroid-S is typically less expensive than Armour Thyroid. Therefore, Thyroid-S may be a better option for people who are looking for a cost-effective way to treat their condition.
Is there a difference in hormone content between Armour Thyroid and Thyroid-S?
Both Armour Thyroid and Thyroid-S contain the same amount of T4 and T3 per 1 grain tablet:
- 38 mcg of T4
- 9mcg of T3
Armour Thyroid strengths hormone content:
15mg (1/4grain)
- 30mg (1/2 grain) 9,5 mcg of T4 and 2,25 mcg of T3
- 60mg (1 grain) 38 mcg of T4 and 9 mcg of T3
- 90mg (11/2 grain) 57 mcg of T4 and 13,5 mcg of T3
- 120mg (2 grain) 76 mcg of T4 and 18 mcg of T3
- 180m (3 grain) 114 mcg of T4 and 27 mcg of T3
- 240mg (4 grain) 152 mcg of T4 and 36 mcg of T3
- 300mg (5 grain) 190 mcg of T4 and 45 mcg of T3
Inactive ingredients in Thyroid-S vs. Armour Thyroid
Thyroid-S inactive ingredients:
- Lactose (a milk sugar and is a filler)
- PVP K90 (Polyvinylpyrolidone; water soluble coating/binder; no known hazard)
- Avicel (microcrystalline cellulose; holds product together)
- Aerosil (silicic acid powder; help disperse the ingredients)
- Sodium starch glycolate (helps dissolute/disintegrate the pill)
- Magnesium stearate (filling agent)
- Eudragit (a common sustain-released coating)
- Methocel (a water-soluble cellulose – helps bind pill)
- Talcum (a filler)
- Ponceau 4r lake
- Tartrazine lake
- Brilliant blue FCF lake
- Sunset yellow FCF
- Titanium dioxide (white)
- PEG 6000 (water soluble polymer; binder)
- Dimethicone solution
Armour Thyroid Inactive INGREDIENTS:
- Dextrose, Anhydrous (anhydrous means any water has been removed and makes the tablet more stable)
- Microcrystalline Cellulose, NF
- Sodium Starch Glycolate, NF
- Calcium Stearate NF (stabilizer and lubricant)
- Opadry White (Titanium dioxide used as a whitening agent but also contains trace amounts of PEG (polyethylene glycol), Polysorbate 80, and Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
When it comes to medication, it’s important to pay attention to not just the active ingredients but also the inactive ones. The inactive ingredients are just as important as the active ingredients and can sometimes even have a greater impact on your health. With that in mind, let’s take a look at Armour Thyroid and Thyroid-S. As you can see, Armour Thyroid has a bit better inactive ingredients profile. It contains fewer fillers than Thyroid-S. This means that Armour Thyroid is a better option for those who are looking for healthier thyroid medication.
Thyroid-S costs vs Armour Thyroid costs
The patients may need to compare the costs of thyroid medication to make the right decision. Overall, Thyroid-S is a relatively cheap option for replacement therapy. It costs around 399.99 USD for 1 bottle of 500 tablets. This price includes express shipping from Thailand.
500 tablets of Armour Thyroid 1 grain costs about 500-700 USD.
Thyroid-S and Weight Loss
Thyroid-S is a medication that is used to treat those who have an underactive thyroid. It is a combination of both Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) and works by replacing the hormones that are not being produced by the thyroid gland.
One of the common questions people ask is whether Thyroid-S can help with weight loss. The answer to this question depends on several factors. If you are already taking Armour Thyroid, it is unlikely that Thyroid-S will cause significant weight loss.
However, if you are taking Synthroid or levothyroxine and you switch to Thyroid-S, you may see some weight loss. This is because Thyroid-S contains a combination of both T4 and T3, and the real benefit of using these medications comes from the fact that it contains T3.
T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone, and it plays a vital role in metabolism. Therefore, including T3 in Thyroid-S can help to boost metabolism and lead to weight loss. Of course, it is always important to speak to your doctor before starting any new medication, particularly if you have any concerns about possible side effects.
Nevertheless, many individuals may need to look for an alternative hypothyroidism treatment depending on their budget and healthcare provider. This is why you should consider Real Thyroid or VitaliThy (use the coupon code ‘WM 2022’ to get 15 USD from your first order to see the results yourself).
Is Thyroid-S Considered Natural or Synthetic?
Thyroid-S is considered to be a natural thyroid medication because it is derived from animal thyroid glands. The hormones in this medication were created by the thyroid gland of animals and not in a lab.
Natural thyroid medications (Thyroid-S, Armour Thyroid, Thiroyd, Nature-Throid, WP Thyroid, TR Thyroid, and NP Thyroid) should be differentiated from synthetic medications (Synthroid, levothyroxine, Cytomel, liothyronine, and Tirosint).
Just because Thyroid-S is natural does not mean that it is superior to other forms of thyroid medications, however.
Some people do quite well on clean T4 only thyroid medications such as Tirosint, especially when combined with T3 only thyroid medications. Thyroid-S may be a good option for those who are seeking a natural form of medication for their thyroid condition.
The benefit to using these medications separately is that you can easily titrate your T4 and T3 dose.
If you’ve tried all of the different types of natural thyroid medications and you still aren’t feeling well then you may want to give a cleaner T4 + T3 thyroid medication combination a try.
Thyroid-S vs Armour Thyroid conversion chart
Although using the combination of the same ingredients, Thyroid-S and Armour Thyroid drugs vary in strength. Thyroid-S comes only in one strength: 60mg of Thyroid extract per tablet (1 grain).
Drawbacks of Thyroid-S vs Armour Thyroid
While Thyroid-S has many benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider.
One drawback is that it is not regulated by the FDA. This means that there is no guarantee of its safety or effectiveness.
Additionally, patients have reported that the quality of Thyroid-S has decreased in recent years.
Another downside is that it has become much more expensive. Before 2019, bottles of Thyroid-S were 1000 tablets and were twice or trice cheaper than produce now bottles of 500 tablets!
Finally, because Thyroid-S is so popular, there are a lot of scammers who try to sell it online. So be careful when purchasing Thyroid-S to make sure you are getting a genuine product from a reputable vendor.
Thyroid-S vs Armour Thyroid review score:
The search online demonstrates the following review scores for Nature Desiccated Thyroid medications (as reported by the patients):
- Thyroid-S 6.5/10
- Armour Thyroid 6,5/10*
FAQ Thyroid-S vs Armour-Thyroid
To aid enquiries you may have about the therapy, please refer to the FAQ below (remember to request medical advice diagnosis from your healthcare provider or doctor before treatment):
Which medication is more affordable?
Whithout insurance Thyroid-S is more affordable
What are the side effects of Thyroid-S vs. Armour Thyroid?
-
- Both drugs treating underactive thyroid may cause increased sweating, nervousness, weight loss, diarrhoea, headache, and shortness of breath.
- Which drug has a bigger content?
- When compared, Nature-Throid has a higher grain content (1 equals to 65 mg of desiccated thyroid).
What is equivalent to Thyroid-S?
The brand often plays a role in the patients’ health and disease therapy decisions. The summary below is a list of medications used in hormone replacement therapy, equivalent to Nature-Throid (please refer to your healthcare provider for medical advice before using).
- Real Thyroid
- Armour Thyroid
- Nature-Throid
- Erfa Thyroid
- NP Thyroid
- Thyroid-S
- Thiroyd
- TR Thyroid
- Wp Thyroid (Westhroid Pure)
- Vitalithy
Has Thyroid-S been discontinued?
As of June 2022 Thyroid-S is still available, and being manufactured by Sriprasit Pharma, and there are no plans to discontinue the production.
Why was Thyroid-S unavailable for a long time?
Thyroid-S was unavailable for a long time due to production issues. Sriprasit was looking for a different supplier of Thyroid (USP) and finally found one that could provide the desired quality and quantity.
Is Thyroid-S the same as Armour Thyroid?
When it comes to thyroid medication, patients often have many questions. One of the most common questions is whether or not all brands of thyroid medication are the same. The short answer is yes, all brands of thyroid medication use the same active ingredient.
However, there may be slight differences in inactive ingredients, which can affect things like absorption rates and side effects. That being said, it is important to talk to your doctor about which brand of thyroid medication is right for you. They will be able to consider your individual needs and make a recommendation based on your particular situation. The current review score for Thyroid-S and Armour Thyroid by the patients is 6.5/10.
Which is better Thyroid-S or Armour Thyroid?
If you’re considering taking thyroid medicine, you may be wondering if Thyroid-S or Armour Thyroid is the better option. Both are popular choices, but how do they compare? Patients who have taken both reports similar results in terms of effectiveness. However, some patients find Thyroid-S easier to tolerate than Armour Thyroid. Side effects such as headache and nausea are more common with Armour Thyroid, though they are generally mild and go away after a few days of treatment. Ultimately, the decision of which supplement to take is a personal one. If you’re unsure which one is right for you, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Where to Buy Thyroid-S in Thailand?
If you’re looking for a reliable place to buy Thyroid-S, you can’t go wrong with a large pharmacy in Bangkok. You’ll be able to find all the Thyroid-S you need, and the staff will be able to help you with any questions you have. Plus, you can rest assured that you’re getting a high-quality product from a reputable source. So if you’re ever in Bangkok and in need of Thyroid-S, be sure to head to a large pharmacy. You won’t be disappointed!
What is the best alternative to Armour Thyroid?
Not all patients find Armour Thyroid or even Thyroid-S right or cheap enough, so pharmaceutical companies work towards a reasonable and effective alternative, like VitaliThy (produced in Vietnam) and Real Thyroid. Real Thyroid is registered as a dietary supplement.
Another option worth mentioning is TR Thyroid from Thailand, which is quite expensive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is still some debate as to whether Thyroid-S, Armour Thyroid, and other natural thyroid medications are more effective than Synthroid. However, many people feel they have more energy and better mental clarity when taking Armour Thyroid or Thyroid-S.
If you are unhappy with your current energy level and mental clarity, it may be worth trying Thyroid-S or Armour Thyroid to see if it makes a difference for you. And if you want to get started on affordable thyroid replacement medications, you might consider the following options – Real Thyroid and VitaliThy (produced in Vietnam).