What is the medicine levothyroxine used for?
Levothyroxine is a medicine used to treat an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). The thyroid gland makes thyroid hormones which help to control energy levels and growth. Levothyroxine is taken to replace the missing thyroid hormone thyroxine. Levothyroxine is only available on prescription.
What kind of pill is levothyroxine?
Levothyroxine is in a class of medications called hormones. It works by replacing thyroid hormone that is normally produced by the body.
What is another name for levothyroxine?
What is Synthroid (levothyroxine)? Synthetic thyroxine (T4) comes as brand-name Synthroid or generic levothyroxine. T4 is what is known as a “prohormone”; it’s made by the thyroid gland and gets converted to the active hormone, T3, in other body tissues.
Does levothyroxine make you sleepy?
This is due to the medication having less active drug (levothyroxine) than they are supposed to. Taking these tablets can lead to symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue, constipation, hair loss, and depression.
How much weight can I lose with levothyroxine?
Official answer. In most cases, levothyroxine causes some weight loss. According to the American Thyroid Association, when this medication is started, you may lose up to 10% of your weight. This weight is mainly water weight, since being hypothyroid makes you retain water.
Is underactive thyroid an autoimmune disease?
Hypothyroidism may be due to a number of factors, including: Autoimmune disease. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Autoimmune disorders occur when your immune system produces antibodies that attack your own tissues.
Does levothyroxine cause hair loss?
Yes, levothyroxine, the main treatment for a sluggish thyroid gland, may cause hair loss in addition to other side effects. You may experience partial hair loss in the first few months of treatment, but this often resolves and goes back to normal in a short time.
Does levothyroxine cause brain fog?
Background: Some levothyroxine (LT4)-treated hypothyroid patients report a constellation of persistent and distressing cognitive symptoms that has been termed brain fog.
Is underactive thyroid a disability?
There are a variety of thyroid gland disorders than can negatively impact your life, two of which are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. If you have been diagnosed with a thyroid gland disorder, you may qualify for social security disability benefits if your condition is severe enough.