What does levothyroxine sodium do?

What does levothyroxine sodium do?

Levothyroxine is a medicine used to treat an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). The thyroid gland makes thyroid hormones which help to control energy levels and growth. Levothyroxine is taken to replace the missing thyroid hormone thyroxine. Levothyroxine is only available on prescription.

What is the difference between levothyroxine and levothyroxine sodium?

Synthroid is brand name levothyroxine sodium; other brand name versions of levothyroxine include Levothroid, Unithroid, Tirosint, and Levoxyl. It contains the same active ingredients and is used for the same purposes, namely to treat hypothyroidism or low thyroid hormone levels.

Does levothyroxine sodium cause weight loss?

Summary: Contrary to popular belief, effective treatment with levothyroxine (LT4) to restore normal thyroid hormone levels is not associated with clinically significant weight loss in most people. Decreased thyroid function, or hypothyroidism, is commonly associated with weight gain.

Is levothyroxine made of sodium?

The sodium salt of levothyroxine, a synthetic levoisomer of thyroxine (T4) that is similar to the endogenous hormone produced by the thyroid gland. In peripheral tissues, levothyroxine is deiodinated by 5'-deiodinase to form triiodothyronine (T3).

Why do you have to drink a full glass of water with levothyroxine?

The Levoxyl-branded tablet may rapidly swell and disintegrate, and cause choking or gagging if it becomes stuck in your throat. Take with a full glass of water, but talk with your doctor should you have difficulty swallowing it.

Why do doctors prescribe levothyroxine?

Levothyroxine is used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Levothyroxine is also used to help decrease the size of enlarged thyroid glands (also called a goiter) and to treat thyroid cancer.

What is the best thyroid medication for hypothyroidism?

The best treatment for hypothyroidism is pure synthetic T4 (levothyroxine sodium). It works just like your thyroid hormone and has few, if any, noticeable side effects....There are several brand name generics available:

• Levothroid.
• Levoxyl.
• Synthroid.
• Unithroid.

What are the most common side effects of levothyroxine?

The more common side effects of levothyroxine can include:

• increased appetite.
• weight loss.
• heat sensitivity.
• excessive sweating.
• headache.
• hyperactivity.
• nervousness.
• anxiety.

What should I avoid while taking levothyroxine?

levothyroxine food In addition, absorption of levothyroxine may be decreased by foods such as soybean flour, cotton seed meal, walnuts, dietary fiber, calcium, and calcium fortified juices. These foods should be avoided within several hours of dosing if possible.

When should levothyroxine be taken?

Typically, patients are advised to take their levothyroxine first thing in the morning, at least 30 minutes but preferably an hour before eating, on an empty stomach and with only water. The goal is to achieve consistency in taking the medication to avoid fluctuations in thyroid levels and variable control of symptoms.

When should you take levothyroxine?

• Physicians generally direct patients to take levothyroxine immediately upon awakening. Prescription directions recommend that you take this drug on an empty stomach, along with a full glass of water, and that you wait at least 30 to 60 minutes before eating or drinking anything other than water.

What not to take with levothyroxine?

• Additionally, the Mayo Clinic advises avoiding taking levothyroxine at the same time as walnuts, cottonseed meal, soybean flour and any fiber-rich foods including fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds and legumes.

Is levothyroxine just as good as Synthroid?

• Generic levothyroxine is just as safe as the brand names—in the United States, these include Synthroid , Levoxyl , Unithroid, and Tirosint—because it has the same FDA-approved active ingredient (levothyroxine). 2  That said, some people are sensitive to the fillers and additives found in the inactive ingredients of levothyroxine, such as gluten, dyes, and lactose. 3  If you're not sure what your prescription's ingredients contain, ask your pharmacist for a list.

What conditions does levothyroxine sodium treat?

• Used for the treatment of hypothyroidism (low thyroxine levels in the body). ...
• In children born with hypothyroidism,levothyroxine rapidly restores thyroid levels to normal,preventing detrimental effects on intellectual and physical development.
• Levothyroxine is recommended by American guidelines as the preferred hormone for hypothyroidism. ...