9 Synthroid Side Effects That Might Mean Your Dosage Is Way Off

Initiation or discontinuation of therapy with Synthroid in diabetic patients may create a need for an increase or decrease in the required dose of insulin and/or antidiabetic drug. Clumps of hair falling out, thin eyebrows, and problems with body hair are all signs of low thyroid function. They can also be a side effect of Synthroid, particularly if your dose is too low. Many women find these symptoms resolve as the medicine kicks in, but if your hair continues to fall out, let your doctor know you need a med check, she says.

Drug Summary

Some ladies are just sweatier than others, but if you suddenly see a change in your dampness levels, or have developed night sweats, it might be due to the Synthroid. It’s nothing to freak out about, but do bring it up with your doctor at your next appointment, Goldfarb says. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Administer SYNTHROID as a single daily dose, on an empty stomach, one-half to one hour before breakfast.

Like any medication, Synthroid can have side effects, but for most people, the drug just makes them feel awesome again, Goldfarb says. “Because it mimics the hormones your body makes naturally, side effects of Synthroid are more often from having the wrong dosage than from the drug itself,” she says. Reduce the SYNTHROID dosage or discontinue temporarily if signs or symptoms of overdosage occur. Initiate appropriate supportive treatment as dictated by the patient’s medical status.

Since thyroid hormone occurs naturally in the body, almost anyone can take levothyroxine. However, you may not be able to take this medicine if you have certain medical conditions. The “optimal dose” was determined for each patient as that dosage of thyroxine being taken when the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) response was normal (ie, an increase in TSH of between 4.7 and 25 mIU/L). Some patients with hypothyroidism can be challenging to treat and require special consideration.

NP Thyroid

Biochemical assessment incorporated measurement of serum TSH, T3, and T4. TSH lower limit of quantification was 0.2 mIU/L and upper limit of normal was 5.6 mIU/L, as indicated by the shaded area. Taking Synthroid at the same time as calcium carbonate, ferrous sulfate, cholestyramine, or colestipol may decrease the effect of Synthroid and lead to hypothyroidism. Although there are about 1 percent of patients that won’t respond to Synthroid at all and will need other treatment, the vast majority of people on it feel remarkably better within six weeks of starting it, she adds. A portion of the conjugated hormone reaches the colon unchanged and is eliminated in the feces. Levothroid is used for hashimoto’s disease, hypothyroidism, after thyroid removal, myxedema coma …

• Administer thyroid hormone products formulated for intravenous administration to treat myxedema coma.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Synthroid only for the indication prescribed.
• They may or may not be related to your medications but you should get it checked out either way, she says.
• These complications may occur more frequently among patients also taking Synthroid.
• Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions and try to take the medicine at the same time each day.
• Initiate appropriate supportive treatment as dictated by the patient’s medical status.

• Stop biotin and biotin-containing supplements for at least 2 days before assessing TSH and/or T4 levels see DRUG INTERACTIONS.
• Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
• The most common medications are aluminum- and magnesium-containing antacids, calcium carbonate, iron, cholestyramine, sucralfate, and sevelamer.
• However, you may not be able to take this medicine if you have certain medical conditions.
• Levothyroxine works by mimicking the activity of the natural hormone that is normally generated by the thyroid gland.

Therefore, initiate SYNTHROID therapy immediately upon diagnosis. Levothyroxine is generally continued for life in these patients see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS. Addition of levothyroxine therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus may worsen glycemic control and result in increased antidiabetic agent or insulin requirements. Carefully monitor glycemic control after starting, changing, or discontinuing SYNTHROID see DRUG INTERACTIONS.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Titrate the dose of SYNTHROID carefully and monitor response to titration to avoid these effects see synthroid pepcid DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION. Consider the potential for food or drug interactions and adjust the administration or dosage of SYNTHROID as needed see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, DRUG INTERACTIONS and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY. Addition of SYNTHROID therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus may worsen glycemic control and result in increased antidiabetic agent or insulin requirements. Carefully monitor glycemic control, especially when thyroid therapy is started, changed, or discontinued see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS. Many other medicines can be affected by your thyroid hormone levels. Certain other medicines may also increase or decrease the effects of Synthroid.

Because thyroid function can fluctuate during pregnancy, a doctor might need to adjust the dosage of levothyroxine taken during pregnancy. Thyroid hormone increases the metabolic rate of cells of all tissues in the body. In the fetus and newborn, thyroid hormone is important for the growth and development of all tissues including bones and the brain. In adults, thyroid hormone helps to maintain brain function, utilization of food, and body temperature, among other effects. Thyroid hormones, including levothyroxine, should not be used either alone or with other therapeutic agents for the treatment of obesity or weight loss. Rapid restoration of normal serum T4 concentrations is essential for preventing the adverse effects of congenital hypothyroidism on cognitive development as well as on overall physical growth and maturation.

For the same reason, the dose of digoxin also may need to be changed. An upset tummy and diarrhea are two potentially embarrassing but relatively common side effects of Synthroid. This should normalize out as your thyroid levels stabilize, but if you find yourself too nauseous to take your pill or are suffering from chronic diarrhea call your doctor right away, she says. Some side effects of levothyroxine may occur that usually do not need medical attention.

Be sure to let your doctor know if there are any changes to your diet or to the medications you take. You can see a list of the foods and medications that can affect the way Synthroid works here. Your child’s dose needs may change if the child gains or loses weight. You may not be able to take Synthroid if you have certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have an untreated or uncontrolled adrenal gland disorder, a thyroid disorder called thyrotoxicosis, or if you have any recent or current symptoms of a heart attack. Synthroid is also used in patients who need surgery and radioiodine therapy to manage a type of thyroid cancer called well-differentiated thyroid cancer.