The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Standard treatment for hypothyroidism includes oral medication, but there are natural therapies too.
Read about the pros and cons of five natural…. Hyperthyroidism and…. There is a long-established connection between conditions of the thyroid and depression. If you suspect you may have both, it's possible that one is…. Here are some facts you should know about hypothyroidism and how it differs from hyperthyroidism. Myxedema is a result of undiagnosed or untreated hypothyroidism, or when someone stops taking their thyroid supplements.
Learn more. Understand the link between your stress levels and your thyroid. Armour Thyroid is a natural desiccated thyroid extract for treating hypothyroidism. Used for over a century, this type of thyroid medication can cause…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Frequently asked questions. Factors that can affect your dosage. How is Synthroid taken?
What if I miss a dose? What should be done in case of overdose? What should I ask my doctor? Ask a pharmacist. Hypothyroidism vs. Recognizing the Symptoms of Myxedema.
Read this next. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Grapefruit juice delays the absorption of Synthroid and reduces its bioavailability.
Iron, calcium supplements, and antacids can also decrease absorption. Many drugs can exert effects on thyroid hormone pharmacokinetics and metabolism eg, absorption, synthesis, secretion, catabolism, protein binding, and target tissue response and may alter the therapeutic response to Synthroid.
Phosphate binders may bind to levothyroxine. Bile acid sequestrants and ion exchange resins are known to decrease levothyroxine absorption. Gastric acidity is an essential requirement for adequate absorption of levothyroxine. Sucralfate, antacids and proton pump inhibitors may cause hypochlorhydria, affect intragastric pH, and reduce levothyroxine absorption.
Monitor patients appropriately. Potential impact below : Administration of these agents with Synthroid results in an initial transient increase in FT4. These drugs may cause protein-binding site displacement. Furosemide has been shown to inhibit the protein binding of T4 to TBG and albumin, causing an increase free T4 fraction in serum. Furosemide competes for T4-binding sites on TBG, prealbumin, and albumin, so that a single high dose can acutely lower the total T4 level.
Closely monitor thyroid hormone parameters. Potential impact: Stimulation of hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzyme activity may cause increased hepatic degradation of levothyroxine, resulting in increased Synthroid requirements.
Phenobarbital has been shown to reduce the response to thyroxine. Changes in thyroid status may occur if barbiturates are added or withdrawn from patients being treated for hypothyroidism. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
If your Synthroid dosage needs to be adjusted, your doctor will likely adjust it in amounts of For people with newly diagnosed hypothyroidism, dosage adjustments will likely happen every 4 to 6 weeks. This is the amount of time it can take the drug to have its full effects for treating hypothyroidism.
Your doctor may continue to adjust your Synthroid dosage until your thyroid hormone levels are in a normal range. Synthroid is approved to treat a type of thyroid cancer in certain situations. They may adjust your Synthroid dosage depending on these levels. Typically, the goal of treatment is for TSH levels to be below 0. Synthroid should be taken on an empty stomach, once daily.
Specifically, it should be taken 30 minutes to 1 hour before or after eating. But your doctor may also discuss how to take Synthroid at night. In some cases, your body can absorb the drug better if you take Synthroid at night.
For more information about drug interactions with Synthroid, refer to this article. They can recommend the best time for you to take your next dose. Missing a dose of Synthroid could cause your thyroid hormone levels to decrease.
This could lead to side effects. This can include setting an alarm or timer on your phone or downloading a reminder app. A kitchen timer can work, too. With withdrawal, you have unpleasant symptoms when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent upon. Stopping Synthroid can also affect other medical conditions you have or other medications you take. For example, the dosage of certain diabetes drugs may need to be adjusted after stopping Synthroid treatment. This is because Synthroid can make certain diabetes drugs less effective.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you. Back to Medicines A to Z. Levothyroxine is a medicine used to treat an underactive thyroid gland hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland makes thyroid hormone which helps to control energy levels and growth.
Levothyroxine is taken to replace the missing thyroid hormone. Levothyroxine is only available on prescription. It comes as tablets or as a liquid that you drink.
Levothyroxine can be taken by adults and children. However, levothyroxine is not suitable for some people. Do not take levothyroxine and go back to your doctor to discuss your treatment if you have :. Take levothyroxine once a day in the morning, ideally at least 30 minutes before having breakfast or a drink containing caffeine, like tea or coffee. Food and caffeinated drinks can both stop your body taking in levothyroxine properly so it does not work as well. Levothyroxine comes in 25 microgram, 50 microgram and microgram tablets.
A microgram is 1, times smaller than a milligram mg. Although starting doses are usually the same, the dose of levothyroxine you end up taking, or how quickly the dose is increased, depends on your symptoms, hormone levels, age and whether you have any other health problems. Adults usually start with a dose between 50 micrograms and micrograms taken once a day. This may be increased gradually over a few weeks to between micrograms and micrograms taken once a day. Some people, such as overs or people with heart disease, may start on a lower dose.
If you're taking levothyroxine as a liquid, 5mls has 25 micrograms, 50 micrograms or micrograms in it. Levothyroxine is available as a liquid for children and people who find it difficult to swallow tablets.
If you or your child are taking levothyroxine as a liquid, it will usually be made up for you by the pharmacist. It will come with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure out the right dose.
If you do not have a syringe or measuring spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. In which case just skip the forgotten dose. Do not take 2 doses together to make up for a missed dose.
If you forget often doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
Your doctor will do regular blood tests to check the levels of thyroid hormones in your body before and after starting levothyroxine. At the start of treatment you can expect to have blood tests often. Once your hormone levels are stable, you'll usually have a blood test after 4 to 6 months, and after that once a year.
Like all medicines, levothyroxine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Once you are on the right dose of levothyroxine, side effects should go away.
The common side effects of levothyroxine usually happen because the dose you're taking is more than you need. These side effects usually go away after you go on to a lower dose of levothyroxine or stop treatment. Common side effects are the same as the symptoms of an overactive thyroid. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. If you're being sick try small, frequent sips.
Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration , such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. If you get severe diarrhoea or vomiting from a stomach bug or illness, tell your doctor.
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