As the main treatment for a sluggish thyroid, levothyroxine is meant to be taken for life. Stopping this medication may result in a return of symptoms such as:
Fatigue
.
Weight gain
.
Can thyroid medicine be stopped?
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.
Can levothyroxine be stopped abruptly?
Do not suddenly stop taking this
medicine without first checking with your doctor
. Your doctor may want you or your child to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping completely. Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you or your child are using this medicine.
What happens when you stop your thyroid medication?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Are there withdrawal symptoms from levothyroxine?
Withdrawal and Overdose from Levothyroxine
Symptoms include
rapid weight gain, depression, low energy, and dry skin
. People who abuse levothyroxine may develop insulin resistance during withdrawal, which can trigger diabetes.
Why levothyroxine is bad for you?
For people with heart problems:
Levothyroxine can increase your risk of serious heart problems
, such as heart attack, abnormal heart rhythm, and heart failure. This risk is increased if you’ve already had these problems. Tell your doctor if you have heart problems or a history of heart problems.
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
.
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.
Is there an alternative to levothyroxine?
Armour Thyroid
is considered the natural alternative to levothyroxine.
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.
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 happens if I miss my thyroid medication for a few days?
Missing
one dose can potentially interfere with your progress and skew your lab results
, especially if a lab test is within a few days of the forgotten dose.
What happens if I miss my thyroid medication for two days?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Tell your doctor
if you miss two or more doses of thyroid in a row.
