By Admin on Nov 13, 2009 in Medicine
I have just been diagnosed with a underactive thyroid disease. I am aslo anemic, I am a 23/f and weigh 97 pounds. Do you think I will lose any weight from having to take this medication?I only have to take 50 mcg instead of the hole 100 mcg because taking the hole pill would be too much for my body. I do have to take this medication the rest of my life!Please if anyone knows what the side affects are let me know because my doctor gave me samples for 3 months, and when I got home the paper to the medicine wasn’t in there, and it is 5:30 and it’s too late to call the doctor. Thanks.
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Levoxyl is a synthetic form of a thyroid hormone. The drug should be taken on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before breakfast in the morning, or 3 hours after your last meal.
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) may be related to your anemia.
Here are some instruction for the medication
How should I take levothyroxine?
Take this medication exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
Take this medication at the same time each day whenever possible. Thyroid hormone is usually taken in the morning to prevent insomnia at night. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
It is important to take levothyroxine regularly to get the most benefit.
Do not stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor. It is important to take this medication to replace the thyroid hormone that the body is not producing. Even if you feel well, you may still need to take this medicine every day.
Do not change brands or change to a generic levothyroxine drug product without first talking to your doctor. Some levothyroxine products may not be interchangeable.
Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with levothyroxine to monitor progress and side effects.
Store levothyroxine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Symptoms of a levothyroxine overdose may include chest pain, nervousness, trouble sleeping, tremor, rapid heartbeat, nausea, headache, fever, sweating, shortness of breath, heat intolerance, irregular menses, increased appetite, decreased weight, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Besides an overdose the only other side effects would be allergic reactions.
You may wish to see and endocrinologist, a specialist who deals with metabolism.
For some reason giving you samples for 3 months and having you split pills doesn’t sit well with me. I feel he should have written you a prescription and planned on seeing you within 6 weeks to see your progress.
I had my thyroid removed after thyroid cancer, and have been on thyroid medication ever since.
Just a response to the person who mentioned armor thyroid, it is a natural thyroid medication taken from pig’s thyroid and some people feel much better on it than just taking what your doctor gave you. For many people it makes no difference.
no_frills | Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
fatigue, increased appetite, weight loss, heat intolerance, fever, excessive sweating;
there is more side effects which are rare such as
tremors, muscle weakness, tacycardia, palpitations
this is usualy a quite safe drug and side effects dont hapopen too often
Jay | Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
I have been on this for over ten years, and unfortunately I have to take it for the rest of my life, too. My dose is much higher (225 mcg.), but I have never had any problems. See the answer above for side effects. I think you will feel better once you have been taking it for a while, as your thyroid levels will be normal. I was always sluggish before I started taking it, and now I’m OK. Some people do lose a little weight from taking this drug, too.
sippigrrrl | Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
Levoxyl is a synthetic T4 only drug. Long term effects can include hair loss, brain fog, cholesterol problems, there are many, many more. A better drug would be Armour Thyroid – this is a natural dessicated porcine medication that has been in use for over 100 yrs with no side effects. The T4 only meds have only been on the market since the 1970’s. Please look up the medication online and read the information for the side effects. Good Luck!
momof3cats | Nov 13, 2009 | Reply