I've used it, and like it, Home boy. Armour is natural, it is (dissicated pig thyroid) OINK! OINK ! You should get much better and safer results vs. synthetic T3,T4. another library of info on goggle. But I've used Armour and I like it.
Thyroid deficiency most often affects women over 40, but men and teenagers can also have reduced thyroid function, especially if it runs in the family. According to some estimates, as many as 15 to 20% of women over age 60 may have subclinical hypothyroidism (meaning they would benefit from thyroid supplementation even though most doctors would say, based on standard laboratory test results, that they had no thyroid pathology requiring treatment). Each year, 5 to 15% of these women develop symptoms, some of which may contribute to shortening their lives.
Some hypothyroidism, clinically diagnosed as thyroid deficiency syndrome, may be caused by a condition called Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This is an autoimmune disease, 90% of sufferers being women, in which the body's own immune defenses turn on the thyroid gland, causing an inflammatory process that eventually destroy it. Immunosenesence, immune decline with aging, is associated with increased autoimmune reactions. This progressive destructive process is a major reason why thyroid function commonly declines with age.
Whole-natural or synthetic supplements?
Thyroid supplements come in two forms. Whole-natural supplements and synthetic supplements. It is almost always better to use a whole-natural thyroid extract because the synthetic versions usually only comprise of one of the thyroid hormones, (such as, T3 or T4), whereas, whole-natural thyroids cover a fuller spectrum of thyroid hormones (including T1, T2, T3 and T4).
By measuring a particular hormone known as Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) it can be determined whether supplementation is necessary. The relationship between thyroid levels and TSH levels is inverse, which is to say that as thyroid hormones levels rise in the body, TSH levels normally fall. Because thyroid function changes with age, it is helpful to monitor TSH levels periodically to insure that the quantity of thyroid supplement being taken maintains appropriately youthful levels.
Scientific data, both clinical and experimental, strongly support the idea that a small daily serving of whole thyroid extract as a dietary supplement can have a wide range of positive influences. Dr. James Isaacs, a pioneering cardiovascular surgeon from Baltimore, conducted a classic study in 1974 and found that those who took 1/4 grain of thyroid (whole thyroid is measured in grains, 60mg = 1 grain) combined with minerals and vitamins over a period of 10 years showed significant improvement in cardiovascular-protective function.
Dosages of whole thyroid extracts depend on your age and thyroid condition. As a rough guide they are 15mg to 30mg daily, increasing to 60mg daily after a couple of weeks if necessary. If you are over 40 years of age and have no overt endocrine disease and you wish to slow the aging process, just a small regular whole thyroid supplement can raise energy levels, allow clearer thinking and improve bowel function