Download Tips for Taking Levothyroxine

 Some medications will be with someone the rest of their life. Levothyroxine is one of those for many people. "Levothyroxine​
, commonly known as ​
Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Tirosint and Unithroid​
, is a replacement for a hormone normally produced by your thyroid gland to regulate the body's energy and metabolism. This medication is given when the thyroid does not produce enough of this hormone on its own. Levothyroxine treats ​
hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone)​
and can be used to treat or prevent ​
goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)​
, which can be caused by hormone imbalances, radiation treatment, surgery, or cancer." Whenever prescribed a new medication, take some time to see what other medications/herbs/lifestyle habits may interfere with the new medicine. The following comes from ​
Mosby's 2012 Nursing Drug Reference Medications that ​
Decrease Levothyroxine Absorption Ferrous Sulfate ​
(an iron supplement used to treat or ​
prevent low blood levels of iron​
). Questran/Cholestyramine​
(used to ​
lower cholesterol ​
in the blood). Colestid/Colestipol​
(​
used to ​
lower cholesterol​
in the blood). Medications that Decrease Levothyroxine Effectiveness Antacids It is recommended to ​
avoid antacids containing magnesium, aluminum, calcium and iron.​
If you are using antacids, take them at least ​
4 hours​
from when you take your dose of Levothyroxine. Carafate/Sucralfate​
(​
used to treat and ​
prevent ulcers in the intestines​
)​
. Estrogen(s) SSRI's Aluminum, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron Drugs/Herbs that Decrease Thyroid Hormone Effect Soy Whether those with hypothyroidism should avoid soy has long been a topic of debate. It is thought that soy interferes with the bodies ability to absorb Levothyroxine. However, the evidence is not strong enough to suggest people should avoid soy altogether. To be safe, you should ​
not ingest anything containing ​
soy​
within 4 hours of taking your medication. Agar Is a ​
vegetarian gelatin substitute produced from a variety of seaweed vegetation. Bugleweed Carnitine Is a plant and people use the part that grows above the ground for medicine. **Used to help lower HIGH levels of Thyroid** Kelpware: Also known as​
​
Bladderwrack ​
which is a type of seaweed. People use the whole plant to make medicine. Bladderwrack ​
can potentially be contaminated with heavy metals due to pollution of the oceans and seas. Because of this, be careful when using these supplements. A Few Notes About Taking Levothyroxine ­ Take in A.M. on an empty stomach. (Though there are several people who have found taking Levothyroxine at night helpful, always discuss such a change with your healthcare professional). ­ Separate antacids, iron and calcium products by at least 4 hours. ­ Avoid OTC preparations containing iodine. ­ Avoid iodine food, iodized salt, soybeans, tofu, turnips, high­iodine seafood. ­ Caregivers should report excitability, irritability, anxiety (indicators of overdose). Does anyone have any other tips/tricks to share regarding taking Levothyroxine? Tell us about it in the comments. Sources Cited: http://www.drugs.com/levothyroxine.html http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug­3334/questran­oral/details http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug­6728­8111/colestipol­oral/colestipol
tablet­oral/details http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug­94104/ferrous­sulfate2c­dried­oral
/details http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug­5254­68/sucralfate­oral/sucralfate­
oral/details http://www.livestrong.com/article/410650­foods­or­things­to­avoid­when­t
aking­levothyroxine/ http://www.btf­thyroid.org/information/108­thyroid­and­diet­factsheet http://www.mayoclinic.org/hyperthyroidism/expert­answers/faq­2005818
8 http://dairyfreecooking.about.com/od/dairyfreeglossary/g/AgarAgar.htm http://www.webmd.com/vitamins­supplements/ingredientmono­147­bugle
weed.aspx?activeingredientid=147&activeingredientname=bugleweed http://www.livestrong.com/article/191575­interactions­with­hypothyroid­s
upplements/