What are the long term side effects of levothyroxine?

The long-term effects of thyroid medication include weight fluctuations, sensitivity to heat, joint pain, changes to your menstrual cycle, and possibly even autoimmune dysfunction.

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Is levothyroxine harmful long term?

There are two potential side effects from long-term use that you may want to discuss with your healthcare provider: bone-thinning (or osteoporosis) and heart-related issues.

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What is the downside to taking levothyroxine?

Common side effects of levothyroxine include heat intolerance, a fast heart rate, and diarrhea. More serious levothyroxine side effects are also possible. If you experience side effects like tremors or mood changes, talk to your healthcare provider as soon as you can.

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How many years can you take levothyroxine?

Treatment with levothyroxine is usually lifelong. If you stop taking levothyroxine your symptoms are likely to come back. Are there any long term side effects? Yes, it's safe to take levothyroxine for a long time, even many years.

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Can levothyroxine cause damage?

Levothyroxine may cause serious or life-threatening problems when given in large doses, especially when taken with amphetamines such as amphetamine (Adzenys, Dyanavel XR, Evekeo), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and methamphetamine (Desoxyn).

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Levothyroxine Side Effects, Indication, and Pregnancy

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Can levothyroxine damage liver?

When given in high doses, thyroid hormone preparations can cause mild serum enzyme elevations. In addition, standard doses of levothyroxine have been linked to rare instances of mild, immunoallergic liver injury.

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What else can I take instead of levothyroxine?

  • Levoxyl.
  • Tirosint.
  • Cytomel.
  • Euthyrox.
  • Unithroid.
  • Liothyronine.

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What are 3 side effects of levothyroxine?

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  • Chest pain, discomfort, or tightness.
  • decreased urine output.
  • difficult or labored breathing.
  • difficulty with swallowing.
  • dilated neck veins.
  • extreme fatigue.
  • fast, slow, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse.
  • heat intolerance.

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Why was levothyroxine taken off the market?

IBSA Pharma Inc. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Select Lots of TIROSINT®-SOL (levothyroxine sodium) Oral Solution Due to Subpotency | FDA.

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What vitamins should not be taken with thyroid medication?

According to the Mayo Clinic, supplements such as calcium, iron, multivitamins containing iron, and antacids containing magnesium or aluminum can potentially have interactions with thyroid medications. They should be taken several hours before or after your thyroid medication to avoid an interaction.

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What foods to avoid with levothyroxine?

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.

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What does thyroid fatigue feel like?

With thyroid fatigue, you may feel like you can't get through a day without a nap. You may sleep more than usual but still feel completely exhausted. You may not even have the energy to exercise. At times, you may fall asleep during the day or very quickly at night.

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Can you take levothyroxine your whole life?

Thyroid hormones help cells function and are also involved in their breakdown. They also help regulate our moods, reproductive function, metabolism, and gastrointestinal function. Levothyroxine is generally taken life-long when used to treat hypothyroidism (low thyroid levels) unless the cause is transient.

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Is levothyroxine bad for your heart?

This is especially true in patients with heart failure. While levothyroxine replacement may improve heart failure, it is possible that in this group it could have harmful effects, especially if the levothyroxine dose is too high.

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Is there a recall on levothyroxine 2023?

IBSA Pharma Inc is voluntarily recalling more than 2 dozen lots of Tirosint-SOL (levothyroxine sodium) oral solution because the medication may be subpotent. The recall appeared in the March 1, 2023, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Enforcement Report.

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What happens if I stop taking levothyroxine for a month?

When your doctor asks you to stop your thyroid medication, your hormone level will decrease significantly, and this may lead to signs and symptoms of acute hypothyroidism. Weakness, lethargy, cold intolerance, paleness, dry skin, coarse hair, and constipation can occur with acute hypothyroidism.

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Is levothyroxine a good thyroid medication?

Levothyroxine is not effective for 100% of people who take it for hypothyroidism. Some other medications or supplements may help manage your symptoms, though not all alternatives are FDA approved. Make sure to talk with your health care provider or your pharmacist before taking an alternative to levothyroxine.

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What are the neurological side effects of levothyroxine?

Central nervous system: headache,hyperactivity, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, emotional lability, insomnia. Musculoskeletal: tremors, muscle weakness, muscle spasm.

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Does levothyroxine affect sleep?

Doctors treat hypothyroidism with thyroxine, which boosts low levels of thyroid hormones to relieve the symptoms of the condition. At the correct dose, it is an effective treatment for many people. However, if someone is taking more than they need, they can experience side effects, including: inability to sleep.

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What is the safest thyroid medication?

What is the best type of treatment? For most people with hypothyroidism, levothyroxine is the best treatment option. If levothyroxine isn't working or if someone cannot take it, liothyronine would be next in line. Natural thyroid medications — and alternative therapies like iodine — aren't recommended for use.

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What is a natural thyroid pill?

Desiccated thyroid extract (DTE) is a prescription medicine used to treat hypothyroid. Sometimes referred to as natural desiccated thyroid or porcine thyroid, the prescription is sold under the name brands Armour Thyroid, Nature-Throid, NP Thyroid, and WP Thyroid.

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What organ systems are affected by levothyroxine?

Thyroid hormone affects virtually every organ system in the body, including the heart, CNS, autonomic nervous system, bone, GI, and metabolism.

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What organs are affected by hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism can affect the heart and circulatory system in several ways. Lower production of thyroid hormone slows your heart rate. Hypothyroidism also makes the arteries less elastic, and blood pressure rises in order to circulate blood around the body.

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How many days you can stay without levothyroxine pills?

Levothyroxine levels in the body start to drop significantly after about 6 or 7 days, so you'll likely notice symptoms of hypothyroidism if you miss a week or more of the medication.

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