What happens if you stop taking levothyroxine?
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
- Difficulty tolerating cold
- Dry skin
- Thinning hair.
This medication should not be discontinued without talking to your physician first.
Even changing to a version of the drug made by a different manufacturer can affect the amount of medicine that is absorbed and change your thyroid hormone levels.
For best results, levothyroxine should be taken consistently at the same dose from the same manufacturer at all times. Levothyroxine doses may need to be adjusted at other times, including pregnancy. Blood tests help guide dosage decisions.
Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland no longer produces adequate levels of thyroid hormone. Levothyroxine is the name of all man-made forms of the thyroid hormone T4. It is the main treatment for hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid gland.
Brand names of levothyroxine include:
Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck. Its task is to produce hormones that are responsible for regulating many of your body's functions, including heart rate, breath, weight, digestion and moods.
Hypothyroidism can be caused by an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, removal of the thyroid gland or radiation treatment to the area.
References
- Endocrine Society. Hypothyroidism. November 2019. Available at: https://www.hormone.org/diseases-and-conditions/hypothyroidism. [Accessed August 24, 2021].
- U.S. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus. Levothyroxine. February 15, 2019. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682461.html#brand-name-1. [Accessed August 24, 2021].
- U.S. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus. Hypothyroidism. November 21, 2019. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/hypothyroidism.html. [Accessed August 24, 2021].
Read next
Does levothyroxine cause weight gain or loss?
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. Continue reading
What can I eat for breakfast after taking levothyroxine?
Most foods are considered fine to eat for breakfast as long as they are eaten 30 to 60 minutes after taking levothyroxine. Levothyroxine should be taken once a day on an empty stomach in the morning. Continue reading
Can I take other medications with levothyroxine?
Levothyroxine is known to interact with many other medications (called a drug-drug interaction), but there are different kinds of drug-drug interactions. Some interactions require that drugs not be taken at the same time, while other interactions require more frequent laboratory testing or monitoring of your disease symptoms. Continue reading
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Drug information
- Levothyroxine Information for Consumers
- Levothyroxine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Levothyroxine (detailed)
- Levothyroxine user reviews (873)
Related support groups
- Levothyroxine (153 questions, 601 members)