What is Levothyroxine?
Levothyroxine is used to treat your underactive thyroid. Normally, your thyroid gland makes thyroid hormone. If that gland is underactive, it is unable to make thyroid hormone.
Levothyroxine is a prescription medication. Here is a list of common brand names: Synthroid, Euthyrox, Levoxyl, Tirosint, Unithroid. When your body is not making enough thyroid hormone, Levothyroxine replaces a thyroid hormone in your body.
What is Levothyroxine used for?
- Levothyroxine is used to treat your underactive thyroid. Levothyroxine is a synthetic version of the thyroid hormone made by your gland. (To be precise it is a T4 thyroid hormone).
- This medication can be used in other types of thyroid disorders such types of thyroid cancer or types of goiter).
What is an underactive thyroid and why is my thyroid underactive?
An under active thyroid is also called hypothyroidism. This condition will make you feel tired.You may have other symptoms such as constipation, difficulty concentrating, even a lack of energy. Some people complain about feeling too cold.
Now, if your thyroid is underactive it will affect other organs in particular your heart.This is because your thyroid has an effect on your body’s metabolism. Your metabolism is how your body uses energy from what you eat.Your metabolism affects many important functions in your body such as your body temperature, how you heart beats and how your cells burn calories. It goes without saying, if you have too little thyroid hormone because your thyroid gland is under active different body processes slow down.
As mentioned before, your heart can be affected. It can slow down and even become weaker. In fact, if your thyroid is not treated for some time your blood pressure can go up as well as your cholesterol.
You may be asking why is my thyroid under active?
A common reason for this is a disease called Hashimoto’s disease. This disease is an autoimmune disease. This is when your body’s immune system attacks and damages the thyroid gland. Certain medications can cause under active thyroid such as Lithium. Hypothyroidism can also be caused after surgery and radiation treatment (esp. when used to treat head and neck cancers). The are other reasons which can cause hypothyroidism, I’ll only point out one which is iodine deficiency, as this mineral is essential to produce thyroid hormones. Another rare cause is when the pituitary gland produces less TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone).
Levothyroxine(Synthroid) doses?
Tablet
25mcg, 50mcg, 75mcg, 88mcg, 100mcg, 112mcg, 125mcg, 137mcg, 150mcg, 175mcg, 200mcg, 300mcg
Thyroid medication should be taken on an empty stomach. Timing will be addressed later in this article.
What are the side effects of Levothyroxine?
All drugs may cause side effects. The goal of this article is to educate you, if you are on drug, how it works and what you might expect in terms of common side effects. There will be always be some people who have no or only mild side effects. If you do have side effects, call your Doctor ASAP to get advice accordingly.Do not suddenly stop taking your medication.
Here are some of the more common side effects. Mind you, this is list is by no means exhaustive:
• muscle weakness, fatigue
• chest pain
• shortness of breath (SOB)
• headache,
• leg cramps or muscle spasms
• nervousness, palpitations
• sweating
• mood swings
• trouble sleeping,
• anxiety
• diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain
• ankle, leg swelling
• skin rash,
• partial hair loss
• seizures
• impaired fertility
Can Levothyroxine affect my heart?
If too much of this medication is taken or the dose is too high, it can affect your heart. It can cause chest pain, anxiety, palpitations, SOB and in some individuals an irregular heart rate. Patients who are most vulnerable are older patients esp. after the age of 70 and if you have preexisting heart disease. If you do have heart disease your healthcare provider will keep you at the lowest possible dose of this medication for maximum benefit and to minimize side effects.
Can Levothyroxine help you lose weight?
If your thyroid is underactive you gain weight. Once you start this medication you may lose weight as your body’s metabolism is readjusted. You should NOT take this medication for weight loss and double or triple the dose of this medication as this can cause fatal cardiovascular complications.
Can Levothyroxine affect my blood glucose levels?
Once you are on this medication for some time your blood glucose levels will stabilize. If you are a diabetic and your thyroid gland is better managed, your blood sugar levels may be increased, and your health care provider might need to adjust your dose of your diabetic medications. YOU & Your health care provider should be monitoring your blood sugar levels closely.
Can thyroid medication cause bone loss?
If you are on too high a dose of Levothyroxine this affects the rate of bone replacement and speeds the rate at which bone is lost. This will be make you more susceptible to osteoporosis and bone fractures because your bones are more frail.
Can Levothyroxine cause more side effect in older adults?
- Yes, it can esp. above the age of 65.T
- These side effects are dose dependent higher the dose of levothyroxine the higher the chance of a side effects.
Is Levothyroxine safe during pregnancy?
Levothyroxine is usually safe during pregnancy. Check with your OB-GYN Doctor as each patient’s situation is different and unique.
Can you stop taking Levothyroxine suddenly?
Do not suddenly stop taking Levothyroxine. You may go into withdrawal experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, anxiety, nausea and vomiting and muscle weakness.
How long does it take for thyroid medication to start working?
You should start feeling better in a couple of weeks. This medication takes it full effect in 4-6 weeks.
7 Hacks to avoid any side effects! (With a bonus tip):
1)You can either take Levothyroxine first thing in the morning 30-60 minutes before your first meal. If this is not convenient or you are not a morning person you can take Levothyroxine late evening or at nighttime 3 hours after your last meal of the day. Always try to take this medication, whether in the morning or at night time around the same time to avoid any metabolic fluctuations of this drug.
2) If you continue to feel unwell on this medication, ask your health care provider to get blood tests. (TSH & free T4). In this way your provider can see if you are on the right dose of the medication.
3) Do not skip or miss doses of this medication. You will then experience symptoms of under active thyroid gland such as fatigue, low energy, dry skin, feeling cold.
4) These following foods can interfere with the absorption of thyroid medications: foods with soy, walnuts, grapefruit soybean flour, dietary fiber(fruits, beans, lentils, nuts).Make sure these medications are spaced out adequately when taking your thyroid medication by several hours
5) You may have to change the dose of your thyroid medication if you are on stomach medications such as Omeprazole or Antacids as these medications can interfere with the absorption of your thyroid medication
6) If you take your thyroid medication in the morning and you are a coffee drinker, drink your coffee more than 60 minutes after taking your medication.
7) Do not take antacids, calcium supplements, iron tablets or multivitamins with your thyroid medication. Take these medications at least 1 hour or even longer. All these medications can interfere with the absorption of Levothyroxine or other thyroid brands.
Bonus tip: There are differences between Levothyroxine and the different brands of this medication, although subtle the body, absorbs these different medications differently. Stick with the same brand or stick with the same generic form.
Think your Health and have a good day.You can check the complete YouTube video here.
Sources:
1) www.uptodate.com/levothyroxine
2) https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/
3) https://www.rxlist.com/synthroid-drug
4) https://www.goodrx.com/levothyroxine
