What Happens When You Stop Taking Hypothyroid Medication?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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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 . Weakness, lethargy, cold intolerance, paleness, dry skin, coarse hair, and constipation can occur with acute hypothyroidism.

What are the side effects of not taking thyroid medicine?

  • Blood pressure irregularities.
  • Elevated cholesterol, including treatment-resistant high cholesterol and increased risk of heart disease.
  • Low body temperature; feeling perpetually cold.
  • Fatigue, muscle weakness, or joint pain.
  • Depression.
  • Memory problems.

How long can you go without thyroid medication?

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.

Can you stop taking thyroid medication once you start?

Discontinuing any prescribed medication on your own is never a good idea- unless you are having significant side effects, and will be speaking to your physician shortly. In the case of Synthroid, discontinuing the medication

results in

a worsening of hypothyroid symptoms such as those that you listed.

How do you know when your thyroid medicine needs adjusting?

In general, the most indicators that your doctor needs to adjust your levothyroxine dose is that you start having signs and symptoms of an overactive thyroid. These include:

Racing or irregular heartbeat or palpitations

.

Increased blood pressure

.

Is thyroid medication for lifetime?


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 do not have to pay for your prescriptions.

What vitamins should not be taken with thyroid medication?

4. Vitamins and supplements. “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.

What are the symptoms of too much levothyroxine?

  • Change in consciousness.
  • cold, clammy skin.
  • disorientation.
  • fast or weak pulse.
  • lightheadedness.
  • sudden headache.
  • sudden loss of coordination.
  • sudden slurring of speech.

What are the symptoms of too much thyroid medication?

  • Heart palpitations or a faster heart rate, even at rest.
  • Trouble falling asleep.
  • Feeling jittery.
  • Sweating a lot.
  • Anxiety.
  • Shaky hands.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Weight loss.

Will I lose weight if I increase my levothyroxine?


Stop weight gain

A daily dose of levothyroxine (Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid) will rev up your thyroid hormone production again, and with it, your metabolism. Once you're on the right dose, your weight should stabilize, and you shouldn't have any more trouble losing weight than anyone else.

Can you skip thyroid medication for one day?

For your medication to work properly, you need to take it regularly and consistently. Skipping doses,

taking your medication in the morning one day

and in the evening the next, or taking it with food some days and on an empty stomach other days can affect how the medication is absorbed.

Is 25 mcg levothyroxine a lot?

There are two strategies for initiating levothyroxine in healthy adults younger than 65 years: low-dose (50 mcg) and full-dose (1.6 to 1.7 mcg per kg). Traditionally, lower starting doses of 25 to 50 mcg

per day

are recommended for patients 65 years and older or who have ischemic heart disease.

What should I avoid while taking levothyroxine?

There are some foods and drinks that do not mix well with levothyroxine:

drinks containing caffeine

, like coffee, tea and some fizzy drinks, can reduce the amount of levothyroxine your body takes in. Leave at least 30 minutes after taking levothyroxine before you drink them.

How do I know if my thyroid medication is not working?

General

joint and muscle pains

are common when hypothyroidism is not sufficiently treated, and your dosage of thyroid hormone needs to be increased. Joint and muscle weakness and pain, especially in the arms and legs, can be evidence that you need an increased dose of antithyroid drugs for your hyperthyroidism.

What does a thyroid storm feel like?

Symptoms of thyroid storm include:

Feeling extremely irritable or grumpy

. High systolic blood pressure, low diastolic blood pressure, and fast heartbeat. Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

What is the best natural thyroid medication?

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.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.