An underactive thyroid is a lifelong condition, so you’ll usually need to take levothyroxine for the rest of your life. If you’re prescribed levothyroxine because you have an underactive thyroid, you’re entitled to a medical exemption certificate. This means you don’t have to pay for your prescriptions.

Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as increased thirst/urination, shakiness, unusual sweating, dizziness, or hunger.

“You should also avoid any drugs or supplements that contain iron, calcium, or magnesium for at least four hours after taking your thyroid medications,” says Dr. Jaiswal. That also includes multivitamins that contain these minerals.

Researchers have found that for patients taking levothyroxine tablets, absorption is affected by drinking coffee within an hour of taking thyroid drugs. This is why experts recommend that you wait at least 60 minutes after taking the levothyroxine to drink your coffee.

Several brand-name synthetic levothyroxine preparations are currently available. These include Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Tirosint and Unithroid in the United States; and Eltroxin and Euthyrox in Canada. Although all these medications are synthetic levothyroxine, they are not identical.

Yes, it’s safe to take levothyroxine for a long time, even many years. High doses of levothyroxine over a long time can sometimes cause weakening of the bones (osteoporosis). This shouldn’t happen if you are on the right dose. It’s important to have regular blood tests to make sure your dose isn’t too high.

Absorption is increased when levothyroxine is taken on an empty stomach. May take several weeks for an improvement in symptoms to be seen and up to 4 to 6 weeks for peak blood levels to be reached.

As a result, working with your doctor to keep your condition under control with medication may keep your hair thicker or regenerate growth. Results will likely not be immediate because hair takes some time to develop and then grow. Possible medications include: levothyroxine (hypothyroidism)

Among the patients with thyroid cancer, those who took either a lower or higher dose of levothyroxine showed increased risk for both coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke, suggesting a “J-shaped pattern” in the risk.

8) You take your Synthroid or levothyroxine with coffee That’s why experts recommend that you wait at least 60 minutes after drinking coffee to take your thyroid replacement medication. After taking your thyroid med, you should also wait at least an hour before drinking coffee.