Levothyroxin, also known as L-thyroxine, is a synthetic form of thyroxine, a thyroid hormone. Doctors prescribe levothyroxin to patients with thyroid problems as a hormone replacement to regulate the body's metabolism.
Indications
Patients with hypothyroidism take levothyroxin. Hypothyroidism is a disease wherein the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroxine to replace the natural hormone. Levothyroxin lowers the thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH, a hormone that can induce goiter. Doctors also prescribe this medication if you have certain cancers of the thyroid or if your thyroid production is low due to radiation, drugs, surgery or certain diseases of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.
Food and Drink Interactions
There are foods and drinks that can possibly interfere with levothyroxin absorption. According to RxList.com, taking levothyroxin orally with infant soybean formula, soybean flour, cottonseed meal, walnuts, foods containing large amounts of fiber, and calcium, such as milk, decreases the absorption of the medication. The body absorbs levothyroxin faster in its fasting state. RxList.com recommends taking the medication an hour before or after eating products rich in calcium and fiber.
Drug Interactions
Drugs such as ferrous sulfate, antacids that contain aluminum and magnesium, sucralfate, calcium carbonate, simethicone or bile acid sequestrants may decrease absorption of levothyroxine. RxList.com recommends against taking any drug that interferes with the absorption of levothyroxin within four hours of taking levothyroxin.
Side Effects
Patients who take too high a dose of levothyroxin may possibly experience side effects that mimic hyperthyroidism. Examples of the side effects are chest pain, pounding heartbeat, tremor, shortness of breath, leg cramps, confusion, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, increased appetite and seizures. Difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath or swelling of the face and tongue are possible symptoms of an allergic reaction to taking levothyroxin.
Dosages
The dosages prescribed by your doctor will vary according to your age, particular condition, body weight, blood tests and how well you comply in taking your medication. In general, most adults take about 100 to 125 mcg per day, although many people may need more or less depending on the factors described. It is atypical to need a dosage higher than 200 mcg per day.
How to Take It
You should take levothyroxin on an empty stomach approximately half an hour to an hour before your breakfast meal. It is also important that you take this medication with a full glass of water because the usual formulation of levothyroxin tablets rapidly swell and disintegrate, possibly resulting in choking, gagging and the tablet being stuck in your throat or difficulty swallowing.
If you experience any symptoms or have any questions regarding levothyroxine, consult your physician or pharmacist.
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