What is Levothyroxine used for?
Key Takeaways
What is Levothyroxine used for? Levothyroxine is prescribed to treat hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) by replenishing low levels of thyroid hormones.
What causes hypothyroidism? Hypothyroidism is often caused by immune system issues or damage from previous thyroid treatments, preventing the thyroid from producing enough hormones.
Who can take Levothyroxine? Levothyroxine is prescribed for individuals diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and dosage is carefully adjusted based on blood tests.
What is Levothyroxine?
Levothyroxine is a prescription-only medication used primarily to treat hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. It is a synthetic version of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) that helps replace the hormone your thyroid gland is not producing in sufficient amounts. Levothyroxine comes in either tablet or liquid form and is designed to help regulate the metabolism by restoring normal hormone levels.
What is an Underactive Thyroid?
Your thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, just in front of the windpipe. It plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, which is the process that converts food into energy. To achieve this, the thyroid produces two key hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).
In hypothyroidism, the thyroid does not produce enough of these hormones, which disrupts the body’s ability to metabolise food effectively. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including:
Weight gain
Fatigue
Depression
Dry skin
Cold sensitivity
By taking Levothyroxine, the thyroid hormone levels can be restored to a normal range, helping to alleviate these symptoms and restore metabolic balance.
What Causes an Underactive Thyroid?
Hypothyroidism can develop for several reasons, often related to the immune system or previous treatments. Some of the most common causes include:
Autoimmune conditions: The most common cause of an underactive thyroid is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid, damaging it and reducing its ability to produce hormones.
Previous thyroid treatments: Treatments for hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), such as radioactive iodine or surgery, can result in an underactive thyroid as a side effect. Additionally, thyroid cancer treatment can also lead to hypothyroidism.
Other factors: Certain medications, iodine deficiency, and pregnancy can also contribute to an underactive thyroid.
Who Can Take Levothyroxine?
Levothyroxine is typically prescribed to individuals diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The medication works by supplementing the thyroid hormone that the body is unable to produce naturally.
The process of finding the right dose of Levothyroxine often involves trial and error, with your doctor adjusting the dose based on your symptoms and regular blood tests to monitor your thyroid function. It’s essential to follow the prescribed dose carefully to avoid complications.
Important: Levothyroxine should not be taken if you have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). In such cases, Levothyroxine would worsen the symptoms and imbalance hormone levels even further.
What Other Treatments Are Available for Hypothyroidism?
While Levothyroxine is the most commonly prescribed treatment for hypothyroidism, there are other options:
Eltroxin: A branded version of Levothyroxine, which serves the same purpose.
Liothyronine (T3): In some cases, a combination of T3 and T4 medications may be used if Levothyroxine alone is not effective. However, this approach is less common and typically used for patients who have not responded well to Levothyroxine. Liothyronine is considerably more expensive and may come with additional side effects.
Despite these alternatives, Levothyroxine remains the most commonly prescribed and effective treatment for hypothyroidism in the UK.
Final Thoughts
Levothyroxine is an essential treatment for those living with hypothyroidism. By restoring thyroid hormone levels, it helps manage symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and depression. However, it's important to take this medication exactly as prescribed, with careful adjustments made based on blood tests and symptoms. Always consult with your doctor about the appropriate treatment plan for your condition, and discuss any concerns regarding side effects or the effectiveness of the medication.
Medically Reviewed by:
Dr. Irfan Siddique MBBS
GMC reference no: 7694522
LinkedIn
