Levothroid

People who have an underactive thyroid or other thyroid problems may benefit from Levothroid. This prescription medication is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring hormone in the body called levothyroxine. Levothroid works by boosting the thyroid hormone levels in the body. It comes in tablet form and is typically taken once a day. Possible side effects include insomnia and hair loss.

Levothroid Medication Information

What Is Levothroid?

Levothroid^® (levothyroxine sodium) is a prescription thyroid medication. It is approved to treat an underactive thyroid (known medically as hypothyroidism) and to treat a variety of thyroid problems, including certain types of thyroid cancer. The medication is actually a synthetic version of a certain type of thyroid hormone.

(Click Levothroid Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes It?

Levothroid is manufactured by Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

How Does Levothroid Work?

Although it is synthetic, Levothroid is identical to the naturally occurring thyroid hormone levothyroxine (also known as T₄). In addition to T₄, the thyroid gland makes another thyroid hormone, known as triiodothyronine (T₃). Usually, the thyroid gland produces much more T₄ than T₃ (however, T₃ is much more active than T₄). The body can convert the less-active T₄ hormone into more of the T₃hormone as necessary. If your thyroid does not make enough thyroid hormones, there are a few different ways to increase your levels.

Some forms of thyroid replacement combine both T₃and T₄ (such as natural thyroid replacement made from pig thyroids). However, because the body converts T₄ into T₃ as needed, most people can successfully take just T₄. Alternatively, just T₃can be taken. Currently, most people just take T₄ products, such as Levothroid.

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