A black box warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Thyroid hormones, including levothyroxine, should not be used for weight loss or to treat obesity. Taking doses that are higher than recommended can lead to serious or even life threatening effects.
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).
IBSA Pharma Inc. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Select Lots of TIROSINT®-SOL (levothyroxine sodium) Oral Solution Due to Subpotency | FDA.
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.
The common clinical signs following thyroxine overdose can either be limited to tachycardia, agitation, nervousness, insomnia, anxiety, tremor [2], or severe features, though less likely, like thyroid storm involving cardiac, neurological, respiratory and thermoregulatory center [3].
Thyroid hormone affects virtually every organ system in the body, including the heart, CNS, autonomic nervous system, bone, GI, and metabolism.
There are many risks of taking too much levothyroxine. The signs and symptoms of thyroid overmedication include anxiety, diarrhea, depression, elevated heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping, being overheated, and unprompted or unintentional weight loss.
Armour Thyroid and levothyroxine are made differently
So they're often considered a more “natural” form of thyroid replacement. Along with Armour Thyroid, NP Thyroid is another natural thyroid option available on the market.
It is not surprising that some individuals experience cardiovascular complications following LT4 treatment as thyroid hormones regulate cardiac functioning. Indeed, increased thyroid hormone levels are associated with an increased risk of developing heart arrhythmias (10).
Taking levothyroxine every day is key to maintaining healthy levels of thyroid hormone. A study found that people who took levothyroxine more than 80% of the time had lower healthcare costs and were less likely to develop other illnesses compared to those who didn't.
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.
However, without thyroid replacement medication, a person with overt hypothyroidism cannot function optimally and will suffer from the physical and mental symptoms of hypothyroidism. The half-life of levothyroxine is 6-7 days, which means it takes about 4-5 weeks for your body to rid itself of levothyroxine.
On February 1, 2023, the FDA announced a consumer-level recall of 27 lots of IBSA Pharma's TIROSINT-SOL (levothyroxine sodium) oral solution because these lots may be subpotent. The company's analyses show a slight decrease below 95.0% of its labeled amount in levothyroxine sodium (T4) for some lots.
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.
A number of drugs have been shown to impair the absorption of levothyroxine; these drugs include calcium carbonate, aluminum- containing antacids, sucralfate, iron supplements, cholestyramine, sevelamer, and, possibly, ciprofloxacin, raloxifene, and orlistat.
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.
Levothyroxine is generally taken life-long when used to treat hypothyroidism (low thyroid levels) unless the cause is transient.
It is not unusual to have an emotional reaction before, during, or after treatment. Do talk to your doctor to check your thyroid medication is properly balanced. Finding a support group or talking with a British Thyroid Foundation volunteer can help you through this period.
The most pure form of a natural thyroid medication is WP Thyroid used to be called Westhroid Pure. WP Thyroid is gluten and corn free with no artificial colors and only contains three other ingredients inulin (from chicory root), medium chain triglycerides and Lactose Monohydrate.
Desiccated thyroid extract (DTE), also known as natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) and porcine thyroid, is a prescription medication made from the desiccated (dried) thyroid glands of animals.
A swollen fingertip, curved nail, and thickening skin above a nail are often signs of thyroid disease.
Eutroxsig and Oroxine are the same formulation of levothyroxine, marketed under different brands. The formulation of Eltroxin has a lower dissolution and is more stable than Eutroxsig and Oroxine.
Temporarily Stops Your Thyroid Hormone Medication
To obtain a high level of TSH, your doctor may choose to temporarily stop your thyroid hormone medication four to six weeks before treatment with radioactive iodine (RAI), or for diagnostic testing. This process is called thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW).
Tirosint® Capsules | Levothyroxine medication to treat hypothyroidism.