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LevoThyroxine Sodium

 

LevoThyroxine Sodium (generic Synthroid) Review

brand names: Levoxine, Levoxyl, Levothroid, Unithroid, Synthroid
generic names: Levothyroxine, Levothyroxine sodium

Why is Synthroid prescribed?

Synthroid, a synthetic thyroid hormone may be given in any of the following cases:

If your own thyroid gland is not making enough hormone;

If you have an enlarged thyroid (a goiter) or are at risk for developing a goiter;

If you have certain cancers of the thyroid;

If your thyroid production is low due to surgery, radiation, certain drugs, or disease of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus in the brain.

What side effects may I notice from taking Levothyroxine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•difficulty breathing, feet or legs

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•changes in appetite
•changes in menstrual periods
•diarrhea
•fever
•hair loss
•headache
•irritability
•leg cramps
•nausea, or shortness of breath
•chest pain
•excessive sweating or intolerance to heat
•fast or irregular heartbeat or pulse rate
•nervousness
•skin rash or hives
•swelling of ankles, wheezing, vomiting
•tremors
•trouble sleeping
•weight loss

What is Levothyroxine (Sodium)?

Levothyroxine (Sodium) is a replacement for a hormone that is normally produced by your thyroid gland to regulate the body's energy and metabolism. Levothyroxine (Synthroid) is given when the thyroid does not produce enough of this hormone on its own.

Levothyroxine (Sodium) should not be used to treat obesity or weight problems.

Levothyroxine treats hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone). Levothyroxine is also used to treat or prevent goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), surgery, radiation treatment, which can be caused by hormone imbalances, or cancer.

Levothyroxine (Sodium) may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is it used for?

• Underproduction of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
  
  

Recommended dosage

Your doctor will tailor the dosage to meet your individual requirements, taking into consideration the status of your thyroid gland and other medical conditions you may have. Older adults often require somewhat smaller doses. To make sure the dosage is right for you, the doctor will monitor your thyroid hormone level with periodic blood tests.

What are Levothyroxine (Sodium) tablets?

Levothyroxine (Levothroid®, Unithroid®, Synthroid®, Levo-T®, Levoxyl®, and others) acts as a replacement for people whose thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Levothyroxine (Synthroid) can improve symptoms of thyroid deficiency such as hair loss, weight gain, lack of energy, slow speech, dry thick skin and unusual sensitivity to cold. Levothyroxine also helps to treat a condition called goiter, which is an enlarged thyroid gland. Generic Levothyroxine (Sodium) tablets are available.