Is levothyroxine as good as Synthroid?

Generic levothyroxine may differ slightly from Synthroid in terms of how well it's absorbed. That's why it's preferable to stick with either one if possible. Both the American Thyroid Association and the Endocrine Society recommend that patients remain on Synthroid if that's what was initially prescribed.

Is there any difference between Synthroid and levothyroxine?

Synthroid is brand name levothyroxine sodium; other brand name versions of levothyroxine include Levothroid, Unithroid, Tirosint, and Levoxyl. It contains the same active ingredients and is used for the same purposes, namely to treat hypothyroidism or low thyroid hormone levels.

Can you substitute levothyroxine for Synthroid?

That's because some generics come in the same shape and colors as Synthroid. The Food and Drug Administration has determined that certain levothyroxine products are interchangeable and can be substituted at the pharmacy.

Why you should not take levothyroxine?

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with heart problems: Levothyroxine can increase your risk of serious heart problems, such as heart attack, abnormal heart rhythm, and heart failure. This risk is increased if you've already had these problems.

What is the best levothyroxine brand?

The Synthroid brand of levothyroxine improved thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels by a significantly greater margin compared with generic versions of the synthetic T4 (LT4) hormones for patients with hypothyroidism.

How To Take Levothyroxine Properly | Best Way To Take Thyroid Medication | When To Take Synthroid

Is there a difference between levothyroxine brands?

Patients may thus be changed between different levothyroxine products according to what is available at their local pharmacies, with the prescriber generally unaware of the specific product that the patient is taking at any particular time.

Is it better to take levothyroxine in the morning or at night?

Conclusions Levothyroxine taken at bedtime significantly improved thyroid hormone levels. Quality-of-life variables and plasma lipid levels showed no significant changes with bedtime vs morning intake. Clinicians should consider prescribing levothyroxine intake at bedtime.

Why do you have to drink a full glass of water with levothyroxine?

The Levoxyl-branded tablet may rapidly swell and disintegrate, and cause choking or gagging if it becomes stuck in your throat. Take with a full glass of water, but talk with your doctor should you have difficulty swallowing it.

Is 25 mcg levothyroxine a lot?

There are two strategies for initiating levothyroxine in healthy adults younger than 65 years: low-dose (50 mcg) and full-dose (1.6 to 1.7 mcg per kg). Traditionally, lower starting doses of 25 to 50 mcg per day are recommended for patients 65 years and older or who have ischemic heart disease.

What are the long term side effects of levothyroxine?

The long-term effects of thyroid medication include weight fluctuations, sensitivity to heat, joint pain, changes to your menstrual cycle, and possibly even autoimmune dysfunction.

What is the cost difference between Synthroid and levothyroxine?

Levothyroxine is the generic version for which there are several brand names. On average Synthroid costs about $65.92 for 30, 100MCG Tablet. To save money and pay only $0.99 for 30, 50MCG Tablet of generic Synthroid on each refill, use a Synthroid coupon from SingleCare at your local pharmacy.

Does levothyroxine cause weight gain?

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. Levothyroxine is a medication to treat hypothyroidism.

What is the highest level of levothyroxine?

Levothyroxine comes in 12.5 microgram, 25 microgram, 50 microgram, 75 microgram and 100 microgram tablets. If you're taking levothyroxine as a liquid, 5ml can have 25 micrograms, 50 micrograms, 100 micrograms or 125micrograms in it.

Does levothyroxine cause hair loss?

Yes, levothyroxine, the main treatment for a sluggish thyroid gland, may cause hair loss in addition to other side effects. You may experience partial hair loss in the first few months of treatment, but this often resolves and goes back to normal in a short time.

Is brand Synthroid better than generic?

Conclusions and Relevance Initiation of generic vs brand-name levothyroxine formulations was associated with similar rates of normal and stable thyrotropin levels. These results suggest that generic levothyroxine as initial therapy for mild thyroid dysfunction is as effective as brand-name levothyroxine.

Can levothyroxine make you feel worse?

"This study documents for the first time, in an unbiased fashion, that patients on levothyroxine feel worse and are much less active than controls, exhibiting objective cardiometabolic abnormalities despite having normal TSH levels."

How do you know when your thyroid medicine needs adjusting?

Does coffee interfere with levothyroxine?

Caffeine in coffee and other caffeinated beverages can affect the absorption of the thyroid drug levothyroxine by making the drug pass through your gut too quickly. This can cause your T4 hormone levels to drop or fluctuate.

What strengths do levothyroxine come in?

What foods should I avoid when taking levothyroxine?

Is 112 mcg levothyroxine a lot?

While body weight may influence the dose to some degree, the average replacement dose of levothyroxine to return the TSH back to normal is in the 100–125 mcg range.

Is there an alternative to levothyroxine?

Armour Thyroid, Cytomel, Thyrolar, Synthroid, and Levoxyl are some levothyroxine alternatives.

Why can't you take thyroid medicine at night?

Taking it with or too close to a meal or snack can reduce the absorption down to 64%, according to guidelines from the American Thyroid Association. Taking thyroid hormone at night can prevent your thyroid hormone from interacting with foods or other medications.

Does levothyroxine cause sleeplessness?

Doctors treat hypothyroidism with thyroxine, which boosts low levels of thyroid hormones to relieve the symptoms of the condition. At the correct dose, it is an effective treatment for many people. However, if someone is taking more than they need, they can experience side effects, including: inability to sleep.

How do I lose weight on levothyroxine?

Stop weight gain

A daily dose of levothyroxine (Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid) will rev up your thyroid hormone production again, and with it, your metabolism. Once you're on the right dose, your weight should stabilize, and you shouldn't have any more trouble losing weight than anyone else.