{"id":1055,"date":"2023-06-28T14:01:12","date_gmt":"2023-06-28T14:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/?p=1055"},"modified":"2023-09-08T14:52:03","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T14:52:03","slug":"levothyroxine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/thyroid-medications\/levothyroxine\/","title":{"rendered":"About Levothyroxine (Synthroid): A Patient&#8217;s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Highlights\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Levothyroxine (Synthroid) is a medication that corrects hormone deficiencies resulting from hypothyroidism.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>When your thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormones, levothyroxine supplements them to meet your needs.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Many patients take levothyroxine for as long as they live.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Find the lowest price for levothyroxine with bidRx.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When your thyroid gland doesn\u2019t work well, your body has trouble regulating its metabolism and energy. If they find that to be the case, doctors may prescribe <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/medicine_details\/levothyroxine-100-mcg-capsule\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">levothyroxine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a drug that provides more of the hormones your thyroid gland should make. Levothyroxine can make you feel better by rebalancing your hormones.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Is Levothyroxine, and What Is It Used For?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Levothyroxine has been around for more than 70 years. First synthesized in 1949 and introduced in Germany in 1972, the drug gained FDA approval in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessdata.fda.gov\/drugsatfda_docs\/nda\/2002\/21-116_Thyro-Tabs.cfm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2002<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Levothyroxine is sold under several brand names, including Synthroid, Euthyrox, Levoxyl, Tirosint, and Unithroid.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Doctors use levothyroxine to treat the following diseases\/conditions:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hypothyroidism, or a low thyroid hormone level, is the intended and primary target of this drug<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hormone imbalances caused by lower-than-normal thyroid gland function\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to these uses, some doctors may use the drug for the off-label treatment of conditions like depression, female infertility, and obesity. Levothyroxine\u2019s use for obesity is contraindicated. It can interact with diet pills and appetite suppressants and may even cause death.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How Does Levothyroxine Work?<\/b><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Levothyroxine is a synthetic hormone that supplements thyroxine in people whose thyroid glands don\u2019t produce enough of the hormone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1057 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/2.jpeg-4.jpg\" alt=\"thyroxine formula\" width=\"780\" height=\"516\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you ingest a dose of the drug, your digestive system absorbs it, and synthetic thyroxine gets into your bloodstream. From there, your liver converts it to triiodothyronine, the active form of the hormone. Triiodothyronine plays an active role in regulating your metabolism and energy levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Levothyroxine doesn\u2019t help your thyroid gland produce more thyroxine; it\u2019s an external supplement. Levothyroxine is a long-acting medication; it takes your body a while to absorb it and convert it to its active form.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Formulas Are Available for Levothyroxine?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Levothyroxine is available all over the world. It comes in different formulas depending on the country, brand name, etc. It is available in the following formulations:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tablet<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You can swallow levothyroxine tablets with water on an empty stomach, as your doctor recommends. A wide range of dosages are available in tablet form, from 25 micrograms to 300 micrograms.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Capsules.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Like tablets, capsules are for oral ingestion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Oral solution.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Some patients can\u2019t swallow tablets or capsules; they can take their levothyroxine doses through an oral solution.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Intravenous solution.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Hospitals can administer levothyroxine through IV to patients who can\u2019t take the drug orally.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Levothyroxine Dosage and Administration<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1058\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/3.jpeg-4.jpg\" alt=\"Levothyroxine bottle\" width=\"780\" height=\"521\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always follow your doctor\u2019s instructions when taking drugs like levothyroxine. Never take more or less than the recommended dose, and stick to the schedule your doctor recommends.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The factors that influence dosage are:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The nature of your thyroid condition<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other medical conditions you may have<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cardiovascular status<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Age<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pregnancy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clinical response to the medication<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthy Adults\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For otherwise healthy adults, the typical initial dose is 1.6 micrograms per kilogram of body weight, once a day. Doctors will observe parameters like your TSH (thyroid-specific hormone) levels and adjust doses until they normalize.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adults Over 50 or With Heart Problems\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For these patients, the initial dose is usually between 12.5 and 25 micrograms orally, once per day. Doctors will adjust dosage as the clinical response of the patient requires.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adults with Severe, Long-term Hypothyroidism<\/span><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The initial dose is generally 12.5 to 25 micrograms per day.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TSH Suppression in Adults\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In adults, doctors may use a daily dose of 2 micrograms per kilogram of body weight to reduce TSH levels to below 0.1IU\/L.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Older Adults\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The starting dose for older adults is typically either 12.5 or 25 micrograms per day. Doctors will individualize dosage based on the health condition of patients. In this age range, co-occurring diseases are significant factors to consider.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health condition and age determine levothyroxine dosage for children, as follows:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Newborns with a heart failure risk get a minimal dose that doctors will then tweak as the condition of the patient allows.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Otherwise-healthy newborns typically get 10-15 micrograms per kilogram of body weight once per day up to the age of three months.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The dose for children between three and six months is usually 8-10 micrograms per kilogram of body weight once per day.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children between 6 and 12 months will usually take 6-8 micrograms per kilogram of body weight.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One- to five-year-olds are typically prescribed 5-6 micrograms per kilogram of body weight.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The daily dose for 6-12-year-olds is usually 4-5 micrograms per kilogram of body weight.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children over 12 may get 1.6 micrograms or 2-3 micrograms per day, depending on whether they\u2019ve begun puberty.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How Should I Take Levothyroxine?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always follow all directions on the prescription label. If you are otherwise healthy and capable of swallowing, your provider will likely prescribe ooral levothyroxine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take the medication with a full glass of water on an empty stomach in the morning, before breakfast. Try to swallow the tablet quickly, as it may swell in your throat and cause discomfort.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re taking an oral solution, measure it carefully with a syringe. Keep in mind that your doctor may tweak your dose if you gain or lose weight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hormonal processes are slow. The tablet may dissolve quickly in your stomach, but it can take weeks for the medication to make a difference in how you feel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep taking the medicine even if you feel better. It merely supplements your hormone production; it does not cure your hypothyroidism. Many patients have to take levothyroxine for the rest of their lives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your doctor may order frequent blood tests to figure out how to optimize your dosage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Are the Potential Side Effects of Levothyroxine?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like any drug,<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">levothyroxine may cause an allergic reaction. Seek medical assistance immediately if you experience swelling in your mouth, tongue, throat, or face; hives; or difficulty breathing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The severe side effects of the drug can be life-threatening, so treat them accordingly. Seek emergency medical help if you experience:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Irregular heartbeats<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shortness of breath<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fever<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insomnia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weakness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tremors<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sweating<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hot flashes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chest pain that spreads to the jaw or the arms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Irritability<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nervousness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dry skin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hair loss<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in appetite<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Irregular periods<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight loss<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memory problems\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Levothyroxine can cause many other severe side effects. If you are worried about your symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. Many of the side effects are more likely to appear in older adults.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the less severe and more common side effects of the drug include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased appetite<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight loss<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rashes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hot flashes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Altered menstrual periods<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leg cramps<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insomnia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nervousness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Irritability<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Partial hair loss<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the rare side effects of levothyroxine include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Double vision<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blurred vision<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain in the eyes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stopping or slowing growth in children<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knee and hip pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limping<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seizures\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the common and light side effects of the drug do not require medical attention. If you find that these effects persist, however, you should still seek help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crying<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A false sense of well-being<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inexplicable fear and nervousness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Warmth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Muscle weakness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restlessness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mood swings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The inability to get pregnant<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discomfort<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Warmth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depression\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though these side effects aren\u2019t severe, they should not persist. If they do, they may require your doctor\u2019s attention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Should I Avoid When Taking Levothyroxine?<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1059\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/4.jpeg-5.jpg\" alt=\"grapefruit\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some medications and supplements can interfere with levothyroxine. Let your doctor know about all the medications and over-the-counter products you take. Trained medical professionals can determine whether to prescribe levothyroxine to patients already taking other drugs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are on levothyroxine, talk to your doctor before using any of these:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Heartburn medications (antacids)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Some antacids can interfere with levothyroxine absorption.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Dietary fiber<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Fiber can reduce the absorption of the drug in the stomach.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Grapefruit<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can hinder the absorption of many drugs, including levothyroxine.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Soy. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like grapefruit, soy can prevent your body from absorbing adequate amounts of levothyroxine.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Supplements containing iron and calcium.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Iron and calcium bind to levothyroxine and can prevent the body from absorbing the medication.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These effects can often be managed by taking levothyroxine on an empty stomach or at a different time of day than your other medications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Levothyroxine?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not double up on levothyroxine doses if you forget to take one; you can\u2019t make up for the missed dose. If it\u2019s almost time for your next dose, skip the one you forgot. If there\u2019s still plenty of time before your next dose, take the dose you forgot as soon as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trying to make up for skipped doses can cause you to overdose on the medication.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Should I Do If I Overdose on Levothyroxine?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first step is to recognize that you\u2019ve overdosed. Look out for these levothyroxine overdose symptoms:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cold skin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Confusion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in pulse (fast or weak)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slurred speech<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sudden onset of headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of coordination<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Losing consciousness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in consciousness short of passing out<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feeling disoriented\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of levothyroxine\u2019s common side effects may also indicate overdosing. If you realize you\u2019ve overdosed, seek medical help immediately. Overdosing on levothyroxine is dangerous. If your doctor can\u2019t provide emergency care, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Who Should Not Take Levothyroxine?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Levothyroxine is a synthetic version of a hormone you already have in your body. Most people are able to take the drug, but in some cases, a doctor may advise against it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though levothyroxine can have appetite suppression as a side effect, you should not take it for the purpose of weight loss. Other side effects can occur, some of which are dangerous and potentially fatal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid levothyroxine if you have:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An adrenal problem<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thyrotoxicosis, a thyroid disorder<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heart attack symptoms like pain in the arms, jaw, shoulder, chest, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may not be a good candidate for treatment with levothyroxine if you have had one or more of the following conditions:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heart disease<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kidney disease<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A low red blood cell count<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A thyroid nodule<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pituitary gland problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drug or food allergies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetes\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some cases, levothyroxine must be taken cautiously \u2014 a doctor will need to determine if the benefits of the drug justify its risks. For example, if you\u2019ve had a heart attack, your doctor must ensure your heart has stabilized before prescribing levothyroxine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have problems with your pituitary gland, your doctor must weigh carefully whether levothyroxine therapy is right for you. And thyroid therapy doesn\u2019t work in people without well-functioning adrenal glands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be sure that all of your providers know your complete medical history, and report any unusual symptoms to your doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Get the Lowest Price for Levothyroxine with BidRx<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1060\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/5.jpeg-2.jpg\" alt=\"middle-aged woman smiling and mediating\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BidRx allows patients to create bids for the medications they need and let pharmacies compete to give them the lowest price.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to giving patients access to the pharmacies that carry their drugs, BidRx also provides extensive information on the drugs, prices, discounts, and coupons.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create a BidRx account today, create a bid, and select the medication you need for local pick-up or delivery.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sign up here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to start getting the lowest price on your levothyroxine and other medications.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Doctors use levothyroxine to correct hormonal imbalances resulting from hypothyroidism. Find out how levothyroxine works and how patients should take it. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1302,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1055","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-thyroid-medications"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1055","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1055"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1055\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1062,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1055\/revisions\/1062"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1302"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1055"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}