Levothyroxine Side Effects

Levothyroxine has been shown to cause serious side effects, such as:

dyspnea, or shortness or breath, that can signal respiratory side effects
tremor or muscle weakness
cardiovascular symptoms, such as palpitations, increased blood pressure or pulse, chest pain, and in rare cases heart attack and cardiac arrest
hair loss
flushing
decreased bone density
seizures
allergic reaction, which is characterized by rash, flushing, itching, swelling of the face, mouth, lips, or tongue, and difficulty breathing

Overdosage of levothyroxine is often the culprit of most serious side effects, and it can also cause more serious complications such as shock, coma, cerebral embolism, or even death. If you experience any of these serious side effects, contact your doctor immediately. Levothyroxine may also cause common side effects, such as:

menstrual irregularities
difficulty getting pregnant

Warnings & Recalls for Levothyroxine

Levothyroxine has been issued a boxed warning advising patients against using this medication for weight loss or the treatment of obesity. Levothyroxine is not an effective method for losing weight, and taking large doses of this medication can result in potentially fatal toxic overdose. Levothyroxine should also not be used as an infertility treatment if the patient's infertility is unrelated to an underactive thyroid. Levothyroxine is contraindicated in patients with a history of heart attack or cardiac problems, adrenal insufficiency, or allergies to any ingredients this medication may contain. Do not take more or less than your prescribed dosage, as this can result in toxic overdose or ineffectiveness in the treatment of your condition, respectively.

Levothyroxine Treatment and Use

Levothyroxine is a generic medication which contains a synthetic version of a hormone which is naturally produced by the body, known as thyroid hormone. Levothyroxine is administered to patients who suffer from low levels of thyroid hormone, which can result from either an underactive thyroid gland or undergoing certain types of surgeries or treatments that damage the thyroid.

What is Thyroid Hormone?

Thyroid hormone is a hormone created by the thyroid gland that is crucial to almost all bodily functions, particularly those involving metabolism, weight gain and loss, and body temperature.

Thyroid hormone is crucial to the body’s development, and is not only vital to ensuring healthy physical growth, but mental growth as well.

What Does Levothyroxine Treat?

Levothyroxine | thyroid hormone is used for the treatment of the following conditions:

Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, a condition in which the thyroid is unable to produce a healthy amount of thyroid hormone.
The prevention of growth or reappearence of certain types of thyroid cancer by suppressing levels of the hormone known as thyroid stimulating hormone, or TLH.
Goiter, or enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Levothyroxine is an individualized medication, meaning that there is no set dosage. Instead, the dosage a doctor prescribes is based on the patient’s condition, their reaction to the medication, and the overall effectiveness of the medication.

Other Names for Levothyroxine

Brand Name:

Synthroid

Levothroid

Unithroid

Levoxyl

Generic:

Levothyroxine