Levothyroxine Sodium: Agent for Problematic Thyroid

Many people have problems related to their thyroids at some point in their lives. If you have recently visited your doctor with problems related to your thyroid, and you are looking to find relief since your function in your thyroid is absent, then your doctor may have prescribed you Levoxyl, Synthroid, or Levothroid. All of these drugs are the same name for the main ingredient known as Levothyroxine Sodium. Levothyroxine Sodium comes in tablet form. The orange tablets are 25 micrograms in strength. The white tablets are fifty micrograms in strength. The purple tablets are seventy five micrograms in strength. The olive colored tablets for Levothyroxine Sodium are eighty-eight micrograms in strength. The yellow tablets of Levothyroxine Sodium are one hundred micrograms in strength, while the rose tablets are one hundred and twelve micrograms in strength. The brown tablets for Levothyroxine Sodium are one hundred and twenty five micrograms in strength. The dark blue tablets are one hundred and thirty seven micrograms in strength. The blue ones are one hundred and fifty micrograms in strength. The turquoise colored ones, which are a bluish-green, are one hundred and seventy five micrograms in strength. The lighter pink tablets for Levothyroxine Sodium are two hundred micrograms in strength, and finally the green tablets are three hundred micrograms in strength. It's important to know how your medication appears, what color it is, and what the strength is in order to ensure that you are taking the right form of Levothyroxine Sodium as is written on the prescription label. As a side note, 0.1 milligram of L-thyroxine is equal to the amount of 65 milligrams of thyroid, desiccated (completely dried).

Levothyroxine Sodium is used as a replacement therapy for reduced or absent thyroid function of any etiology (cause). For people from 0-1 years of age, nine micrograms per kilograms a day are recommended. For children 1 to 5 years of age, six micrograms per kilogram per day are recommended. For young children that are six to ten years of age, four micrograms per kilogram are needed per day. For teenagers and adults from 11 to 20 years of age, only three micrograms of Levothyroxine Sodium are required per kilogram in a day. Adult over twenty one years of age can take twenty five to 300 micrograms of Levothyroxine Sodium per day by mouth.

Levothyroxine Sodium works by causing a regulation of grown and development in the thyroid, and also increasing its metabolic rate. Levothyroxine Sodium also stops the secretion of thyrotropin, which is secreted by the pituitary gland. Levothyroxine Sodium has many effects on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism as well. Levothyroxine Sodium is very similar to the thyroxine produce naturally by the body. Levothyroxine Sodium can increase the effects of anticoagulants that you take orally. Any cholestyramine may lessen the absorption of levothyroxine in the body. Levothyroxine Sodium may also lessen the effectiveness of digitalis glycosides (certain cardiac medications).

If you are a patient with uncorrected adrenal cortical insufficiency (low or no corticosteroids), thyrotoxicosis that is untreated, and/or acute heart attack, Levothyroxine Sodium may not be for you. Levothyroxine Sodium must be monitored closely when used in mothers who are nursing, in patients with heart disorders, in patients with hypo/hyper-pituitarism or diabetes, and in patients who are taking anticoagulants.

Levothyroxine Sodium does not cause adverse side effects for the most part, but there are signs that the body shows when you have overdosed on Levothyroxine Sodium. These side effects include hypoglycemia, fever, heart failure, tachycardia, anxiety, insomnia, and fluid loss. Notify your physician immediately if any of these are occurring.

Do not discontinue using Levothyroxine Sodium unless you have consulted with your doctor first. Keep in mind that hair loss may be seen in children using Levothyroxine Sodium, but the hair is usually experiences re-growth, naturally. Store your Levothyroxine Sodium medication in a cool, dry please away from children and sunlight. Sunlight may diminish the potency of Levothyroxine Sodium. If you miss a dose of Levothyroxine Sodium, take it as soon as you remember, but never double dose. If you miss a dose, and the dose is closer to the time of your next dose, skip it, and return to your regular dosing schedule.