What are the rare side effects of levothyroxine?

Can levothyroxine cause problems?

Levothyroxine does not usually have any side effects, because the tablets simply replace a missing hormone. Side effects usually only occur if you're taking too much levothyroxine. This can cause problems including sweating, chest pain, headaches, diarrhoea and being sick.

What is the most significant adverse effect of thyroid drugs?

The most dangerous effect is agranulocytosis, which occurs in 0.1 to 0.5% of patients. This life-threatening condition can now be effectively treated by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor administration.

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.

Why did they take levothyroxine off the market?

In 2013, Pfizer pulled Levoxyl from the market because of a suspicious odor emitted from the packaging. After this recall, Levoxyl was off the market for about a year, causing many consumers to switch to alternatives, and they never looked back. Pfizer officially lost their market share.

Levothyroxine Use Dosage and Side Effects

Is levothyroxine a high risk medication?

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).

What is a natural substitute for levothyroxine?

The natural alternative to levothyroxine is a natural desiccated thyroid extract from animal sources. Armour Thyroid contains a natural form of thyroid hormone that comes directly from the thyroid gland of pigs.

What are the long-term effects of taking levothyroxine?

The studies proving this are not limited in numbers, they demonstrate an association between long-term levothyroxine therapy and increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and fractures. In addition to this it also increases the economic burden on the patients owing to price surge [5].

Can levothyroxine damage 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.

Is levothyroxine hard on the 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.

What is the most severe complication of hypothyroidism?

In very rare cases, a severe underactive thyroid may lead to a life-threatening condition called myxoedema coma. This is where the thyroid hormone levels become very low, causing symptoms such as confusion, hypothermia and drowsiness. Myxoedema coma requires emergency treatment in hospital.

What are the signs and symptoms of overmedication with levothyroxine?

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.

Why does levothyroxine make me feel worse?

Extreme tiredness is a commonly reported side effect of Levothyroxine. Many people begin treatment but feel no better after starting medication, which may be because they are experiencing this effect. You feel more tired while taking Levothyroxine because the hormones in your body have been effectively reduced.

Does levothyroxine affect sleep?

No adverse effects were noted. Conclusions: After treatment with levothyroxine for over 4 weeks, prolonged sleep time and EDS were improved. Levothyroxine was effective for hypersomnia and well tolerated.

Is levothyroxine cancerous?

Levothyroxine users showed a 50% higher risk of cancer at any site (AOR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.46-1.54; P < .

Does levothyroxine impact blood pressure?

In 15 patients with hypertension and hypothyroidism, levothyroxine therapy showed only a small decrease in blood pressure (151/105 +/- 9/9 mm Hg, group A). The remaining 15 patients showed complete normalization of blood pressure (118/83 +/- 8/3 mm Hg, group B).

What organs does an underactive thyroid affect?

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.

Is Synthroid better than levothyroxine?

As previously mentioned, one version isn't technically better than the other. Both generic levothyroxine and Synthroid should work equally well for the treatment of hypothyroidism. It's just not ideal to switch back and forth between different products, unless you're directed to do so.

Can you ever get off thyroid medication?

Yes, it's possible. But you should always check with your healthcare provider first. Whether you're able to safely stop taking thyroid medication may depend on the reason you are taking it. Research shows that some people can safely stop taking thyroid medications.

What naturally boosts the thyroid?

Eating a portion of Essential Fats at every meal which includes extra virgin olive oil, flaxseed oil, raw unsalted nuts and seeds, avocados and oily fish, will improve thyroid hormone levels as our cell receptors become more able to take up thyroid hormone.

How can I balance my thyroid without medication?

What is the safest medication for hypothyroidism?

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.

Which foods should be avoided when prescribed levothyroxine?

Can levothyroxine cause anxiety attacks?

Levothyroxine is a common treatment for hypothyroidism, but if your dose is too high, it can directly lead to anxiety and cause symptoms like rapid heartbeat and shakiness, which can make anxiety worse, says Rosenfeld.

Can too much levothyroxine cause brain fog?

Abstract. Background: Some levothyroxine (LT4)-treated hypothyroid patients report a constellation of persistent and distressing cognitive symptoms that has been termed brain fog.