Levothyroxine: What is it and What is it Used For?

2021-05-24

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Levothyroxine: An Overview

Levothyroxine is a synthetic hormone used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone.

Thyroid hormone is essential for regulating a number of important bodily functions, including metabolism, growth, and development.

Levothyroxine is available as a tablet and an injection. The tablet is taken once daily, morning and fasting (meaning you should wait at least 30 minutes after taking it before you eat or drink anything). The injection is usually given once a month.

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In this article, we will discuss levothyroxine in more detail, including its uses, dosage, and side effects.

what is levothyroxine used for

Levothyroxine is used to treat various thyroid conditions and replace thyroid hormone.

Treats hypothyroidism
Replaces thyroid hormone
Manages thyroid cancer
Suppresses TSH
Treats congenital hypothyroidism
Reduces goiter size
Manages thyroiditis
Diagnostic tool

Levothyroxine is generally safe and well-tolerated, but it can cause side effects in some people.

Treats hypothyroidism

Levothyroxine is primarily used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone.

Thyroid hormone is essential for regulating a number of important bodily functions, including metabolism, growth, and development. Without enough thyroid hormone, people with hypothyroidism may experience a variety of symptoms, such as fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, and hair loss.

Levothyroxine works by replacing the thyroid hormone that the body is not producing. It is taken orally, usually once a day, and it can help to relieve the symptoms of hypothyroidism and restore normal thyroid hormone levels.

Levothyroxine is generally safe and well-tolerated, but it can cause side effects in some people. These side effects may include nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, diarrhea, and headaches. If you experience any side effects from levothyroxine, talk to your doctor.

Note: It is important to take levothyroxine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking levothyroxine without talking to your doctor, even if you start to feel better.

Replaces thyroid hormone

Levothyroxine is used to replace thyroid hormone in people who do not have a functioning thyroid gland or who are unable to produce enough thyroid hormone on their own.

Thyroid gland removal: If your thyroid gland has been removed due to cancer or another condition, you will need to take levothyroxine to replace the thyroid hormone that your body is no longer producing.
Radioactive iodine treatment: Radioactive iodine treatment is used to destroy thyroid cells. This treatment can be used to treat thyroid cancer or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). However, it can also damage the thyroid gland and lead to hypothyroidism. If this happens, you will need to take levothyroxine to replace the thyroid hormone that your body is no longer producing.
Thyroiditis: Thyroiditis is a condition in which the thyroid gland becomes inflamed. This can damage the thyroid gland and lead to hypothyroidism. If this happens, you will need to take levothyroxine to replace the thyroid hormone that your body is no longer producing.
Congenital hypothyroidism: Congenital hypothyroidism is a condition in which a baby is born with an underdeveloped or non-functioning thyroid gland. This can lead to a number of health problems, including intellectual disability and growth problems. Levothyroxine is used to replace the thyroid hormone that the baby's body is not producing.

Manages thyroid cancer

Levothyroxine is used to manage thyroid cancer in two ways:

After surgery: After surgery to remove the thyroid gland, levothyroxine is used to replace the thyroid hormone that the body is no longer producing. This helps to prevent hypothyroidism and its associated symptoms.
To suppress TSH: TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone. In people with thyroid cancer, high levels of TSH can stimulate the growth of cancer cells. Levothyroxine is used to suppress TSH levels and help prevent the growth of cancer cells.

The dosage of levothyroxine used to manage thyroid cancer is typically higher than the dosage used to treat hypothyroidism. This is because the goal is to suppress TSH levels as much as possible. Levothyroxine is generally safe and well-tolerated, but it can cause side effects in some people. These side effects may include nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, diarrhea, and headaches. If you experience any side effects from levothyroxine, talk to your doctor.

Suppresses TSH

TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone. In people with certain conditions, such as thyroid cancer and thyroiditis, high levels of TSH can be harmful.

Levothyroxine can be used to suppress TSH levels. This is done by taking a higher dose of levothyroxine than is needed to simply replace the thyroid hormone that the body is not producing. This higher dose of levothyroxine helps to suppress TSH levels and prevent the growth of cancer cells or other harmful effects of high TSH levels.

It is important to take levothyroxine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking levothyroxine without talking to your doctor, even if you start to feel better.

Note: Levothyroxine is not a cure for thyroid cancer or other conditions that require TSH suppression. However, it can help to manage these conditions and prevent serious complications.

Treats congenital hypothyroidism

Congenital hypothyroidism is a condition in which a baby is born with an underdeveloped or non-functioning thyroid gland. This can lead to a number of health problems, including intellectual disability and growth problems.

Levothyroxine is used to treat congenital hypothyroidism. It works by replacing the thyroid hormone that the baby's body is not producing. Levothyroxine is typically started within the first few days of life. It is important to start treatment as soon as possible to prevent serious complications.

Levothyroxine is generally safe and well-tolerated in babies. However, it can cause side effects in some babies. These side effects may include irritability, fussiness, and sleep problems. If you notice any side effects in your baby, talk to your doctor.

Babies with congenital hypothyroidism will need to take levothyroxine for life. The dosage of levothyroxine will need to be adjusted regularly as the baby grows and develops.

Note: Early diagnosis and treatment of congenital hypothyroidism is essential to prevent serious complications. If you are pregnant and have a family history of thyroid problems, talk to your doctor about screening your baby for congenital hypothyroidism.

Reduces goiter size

A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It can be caused by a number of conditions, including hypothyroidism, Graves' disease, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Levothyroxine can be used to reduce the size of a goiter in people with hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine works by replacing the thyroid hormone that the body is not producing. This helps to restore normal thyroid hormone levels and reduce the size of the goiter.

Levothyroxine is generally safe and well-tolerated. However, it can cause side effects in some people. These side effects may include nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, diarrhea, and headaches. If you experience any side effects from levothyroxine, talk to your doctor.

It is important to take levothyroxine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking levothyroxine without talking to your doctor, even if the size of your goiter decreases.

Note: Levothyroxine is not a cure for goiter. However, it can help to reduce the size of the goiter and prevent further complications.

Manages thyroiditis

Thyroiditis is a condition in which the thyroid gland becomes inflamed. This can be caused by a number of factors, including infections, autoimmune disorders, and certain medications.

Levothyroxine can be used to manage thyroiditis by replacing the thyroid hormone that the body is not producing. This helps to relieve the symptoms of thyroiditis, such as fatigue, weight gain, and constipation.

It is important to take levothyroxine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking levothyroxine without talking to your doctor, even if you start to feel better.

Note: Levothyroxine is not a cure for thyroiditis. However, it can help to manage the symptoms of thyroiditis and prevent complications.

Diagnostic tool

Levothyroxine can also be used as a diagnostic tool to help determine if a person has a thyroid problem.

In the thyroid suppression test, levothyroxine is given to a person in increasing doses over several weeks. If the person's thyroid gland is functioning normally, the thyroid gland will suppress its production of thyroid hormone in response to the levothyroxine. However, if the person's thyroid gland is not functioning normally, the thyroid gland will not suppress its production of thyroid hormone. This can help doctors to diagnose thyroid problems, such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Levothyroxine can also be used to help diagnose congenital hypothyroidism. In this test, a baby is given a single dose of levothyroxine. If the baby's thyroid gland is functioning normally, the thyroid gland will suppress its production of thyroid hormone in response to the levothyroxine. However, if the baby's thyroid gland is not functioning normally, the thyroid gland will not suppress its production of thyroid hormone. This can help doctors to diagnose congenital hypothyroidism early on, when treatment is most effective.

Note: Levothyroxine should only be used as a diagnostic tool under the supervision of a doctor.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about levothyroxine:

Question 1: What is levothyroxine?
Answer: Levothyroxine is a synthetic hormone used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone.

Question 2: What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Answer: Symptoms of hypothyroidism can include fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, and hair loss.

Question 3: How is levothyroxine taken?
Answer: Levothyroxine is typically taken once a day, in the morning on an empty stomach.

Question 4: What are the side effects of levothyroxine?
Answer: Side effects of levothyroxine can include nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, diarrhea, and headaches.

Question 5: How long does it take for levothyroxine to work?
Answer: It can take several weeks for levothyroxine to fully work.

Question 6: Can I take levothyroxine if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
Answer: Yes, levothyroxine is safe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Question 7: What should I do if I miss a dose of levothyroxine?
Answer: If you miss a dose of levothyroxine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as usual.

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These are just some of the frequently asked questions about levothyroxine. If you have any other questions, talk to your doctor.

Note: It is important to take levothyroxine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking levothyroxine without talking to your doctor, even if you start to feel better.

Tips

Here are a few tips for taking levothyroxine:

Tip 1: Take levothyroxine on an empty stomach.
Levothyroxine is best absorbed when taken on an empty stomach. This means taking it at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything.

Tip 2: Be consistent with your dosage.
It is important to take levothyroxine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip doses or change your dosage without talking to your doctor.

Tip 3: Avoid certain foods and supplements.
Some foods and supplements can interfere with the absorption of levothyroxine. These include calcium supplements, iron supplements, and soy products.

Tip 4: Tell your doctor about all of your medications.
Some medications can interact with levothyroxine. Be sure to tell your doctor about all of the medications you are taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements.

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By following these tips, you can help to ensure that you are taking levothyroxine correctly and that you are getting the most benefit from your medication.

Note: If you have any questions or concerns about taking levothyroxine, talk to your doctor.

Conclusion

Summary of Main Points:

Levothyroxine is a synthetic hormone used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone.
Levothyroxine is taken orally, usually once a day, in the morning on an empty stomach.
Levothyroxine can take several weeks to fully work.
Levothyroxine is generally safe and well-tolerated, but it can cause side effects in some people.
It is important to take levothyroxine exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Levothyroxine can be used to treat a variety of thyroid conditions, including hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer, and thyroiditis.
Levothyroxine can also be used as a diagnostic tool to help determine if a person has a thyroid problem.

Closing Message:

If you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism or another thyroid condition, talk to your doctor about whether levothyroxine is right for you. Levothyroxine can help to relieve the symptoms of hypothyroidism and other thyroid conditions and improve your overall health and well-being.