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Levothroid

Levothyroxine sodium

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Satisfaction

5.2

3.6 Effectiveness

5.7 Side Effects

4.7 Holistic Benefits

RateADrug users have reported 8 Levothroid side effects and 3 Levothroid benefits.

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Treatment Information

Description | Uses & Side Effects | Warnings

There is currently no information to display in this section. RateADrug provides information about drugs and supplements though a wiki format provided by researchers, health care providers and others. We encourage you to add to this description by clicking on the button below.

Common Uses:

Levothroid (levothyroxine sodium) is a prescription medicine that is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring thyroid hormone. Levothroid is used to treat the following conditions:
An underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism
Goiters (including thyroid nodules)
Certain types of thyroid cancer (when used with surgery or other treatments).

Off Label Uses:

Levothroid can also be used off-label to treat depression (in conjunction with antidepressants). Levothroid works by boosting the body's thyroid hormones, but it should never be used to increase energy or cause weight loss in people without a thyroid problem

Side Effects:
Side effects typically occur when the Levothroid dosage is too high. Too much Levothroid causes symptoms of an overactive thyroid (known medically as hyperthyroidism). These symptoms can be dangerous, and any of these symptoms should be reported to your healthcare provider (as they may signal that your Levothroid dosage needs to be decreased). These side effects may include:

Feeling hot all the time and increased sweating
Fever
Hyperactivity, nervousness, anxiety, or irritability
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Insomnia (see Levothroid and Insomnia)
Broken bones or other signs of weakened bones
Menstrual problems or fertility problems
Shakiness (tremors) or muscle weakness
Heart palpitations
Emotional changes
Hair loss (see Levothroid and Hair Loss)
Flushing
A rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
Heart failure, chest pain, or a heart attack
Difficult or painful breathing
An increased appetite, along with weight loss
Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal cramps (stomach cramps)
Seizures.

As with any medication, Levothroid can also cause allergic reactions. Seek medical attention immediately if you develop signs of an allergic reaction, including:

An unexplained rash or hives
Itching
Wheezing or difficulty breathing
Unexplained swelling (especially of the lips, mouth, or throat).

Cautions / Warnings:

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Levothroid(levothyroxine sodium) if you have:

Adrenal insufficiency
Osteoporosis
Any heart problems, including a recent heart attack
An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
Diabetes
Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:

Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
Breastfeeding.

Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Drug Interactions:
Levothroid or levothyroxine sodium may interact with several other medications, including numerous non-prescription products. Some of the medicines that may potentially lead to Levothroid interactions include:

Antacids or gas-relieving medications
Antidepressant medications
Calcium products, including vitamin supplements and calcium-rich foods
Certain seizure medications, such as:

Carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®)
Phenobarbital (Luminal®)
Phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®)

Cholestyramine (Prevalite®, Questran®, Questran® Light)
Colestipol (Colestid®)
Diabetes drugs, including insulin and oral diabetes medications
Digoxin (Digitek®, Lanoxin®)
Estrogens, such as birth control pills, patches, rings, or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Iron (including iron found in multivitamins)
Orlistat (Alli™, Xenical®)
Raloxifene (Evista®)
Rifampin (Rifadin®)
Sucralfate (Carafate®)
Theophylline (Uniphyl®, Theocron®, TheoCap®, Theo-24®, Elixophyllin®)
Warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®).

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User Ratings

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More About This Treatment

How does your Treatment Compare?

Choose a Condition:

Show results for:

Brands	Effectiveness	Holistic Benefits	Side Effects	Number of Ratings
Armour thyroid	6.77	6.44	2.37	13
Synthroid	4.86	5.08	3.34	83
Levothyroxine Sodium	4.43	4.43	3.05	47
Levothroid	2	3.36	5.24	11
Levoxyl	1.05	3.58	5.45	21

View All	About these Scores
	Choose a condition to compare treatments based on user feedback. You can sort by Effectiveness, Holistic Benefits or Side Effects RateADrug user scores, or the number of Ratings. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Effectiveness of Levothroid by Condition

Click on a condition to view RateADrug.com users ratings

Hypothyroidism

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Effectiveness on "Hypothyroidism"

About these Results
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of how users rate the effectiveness of their medication. Click on the various conditions to see how the effectiveness ratings change. Close

Not at all

Mildly

Moderately

Very

Extremely

How effective is Levothroid?

Reported Changes in Health and Well-Being

Since taking Levothroid, RateADrug survey participants noticed these changes in their health:

Effect on:	Much Worse	Worse	No Change	Better	Much Better
Appetite	0%	30.8%	46.2%	23.1%	0%
Balance/Equilibrium	0%	0%	91.7%	8.3%	0%
Blood Pressure	15.4%	15.4%	69.2%	0%	0%
Breathing	0%	0%	91.7%	8.3%	0%
Confidence	7.7%	7.7%	76.9%	0%	7.7%
Coordination/Motor Skills	0%	8.3%	83.3%	8.3%	0%
Digestion	15.4%	7.7%	61.5%	15.4%	0%
Emotional Well-being	7.7%	7.7%	53.8%	23.1%	7.7%
Energy	23.1%	7.7%	30.8%	30.8%	7.7%
Eyesight	7.1%	14.3%	71.4%	0%	7.1%
Memory	15.4%	23.1%	38.5%	7.7%	15.4%
Mental Clarity	7.7%	15.4%	61.5%	7.7%	7.7%
Pain	7.7%	15.4%	61.5%	7.7%	7.7%
Patience	15.4%	15.4%	61.5%	7.7%	0%
Sexual Health	0%	23.1%	69.2%	7.7%	0%
Skin Complexion	7.1%	35.7%	57.1%	0%	0%
Sleep	15.4%	30.8%	38.5%	15.4%	0%
Stress Level	15.4%	15.4%	61.5%	7.7%	0%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of negative or positive changes in health and well-being experienced by users for all of the categories listed. Close

Commonly Reported Levothroid Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced these commonly reported side effects:

Effect on:	None	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Severe
Allergic Reaction	91.7%	8.3%	0%	0%	0%
Change in Weight	50%	14.3%	7.1%	14.3%	14.3%
Chills	84.6%	15.4%	0%	0%	0%
Coordination / Balance Problems	84.6%	15.4%	0%	0%	0%
Dizziness	64.3%	21.4%	7.1%	7.1%	0%
Drowsiness	76.9%	7.7%	7.7%	7.7%	0%
Fatigue	61.5%	15.4%	7.7%	0%	15.4%
Hives	91.7%	0%	0%	8.3%	0%
Nausea	83.3%	8.3%	8.3%	0%	0%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of the severity of side effects experienced by users. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Less Commonly Reported Levothroid Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced less commonly reported side effects:

Effect on:	None	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Severe
Constipation	69.2%	7.7%	7.7%	7.7%	7.7%
Headache	69.2%	0%	23.1%	7.7%	0%
Muscle / Joint Pain	61.5%	7.7%	0%	15.4%	15.4%
Reduced Libido	88.9%	0%	0%	11.1%	0%
Skin Inflammation	76.9%	0%	15.4%	7.7%	0%
Tingling Sensations	76.9%	7.7%	15.4%	0%	0%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of the severity of side effects experienced by users. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Episodes since taking Levothroid

Since taking Levothroid Rate a Drug survey participants reported these episodes:

Fall

6.7%

Hospitalization

6.7%

About these Results
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the percentage of users who have experienced any of these episodes while taking their medication. Close

How does your experience compare with other Levothroid users?

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User Comments about Levothroid

19 Aug 2010	I have been diagnosed but not treated for adrenal insufficeny what are the risks? —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
30 Jul 2010	Excellent. —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
28 Jan 2010	My thyroid lvls were low so doctor prescribed this to me 25 mg. once a day. I noticed a weight gain immediately, headaches, severe joint pain, my throat felt swollen or like a lump was in it and overall negative effects. I had a hysterectomy the same month the doctor prescribed this so I am unsure if its the levothyroid or effects of no hormones...maybe a little of both. I am at a standstill as to whether this drug helps any at all. I weaned myself off for a period of 6 months, my throat no longer feels swollen, I do not get random chills, my blood pressure is back to its normal low reading and my joint pain improved but now is starting to worsen again. I am not sure what to do at this point. I have also gained another 8 lbs. After being underweight for years I felt it must be a result of my hysterectomy, although levothyroid did not help the slow but consistent weight gain at all. —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
20 Mar 2009	can not seen to get it under control blood tests all the time —Posted by gramsmichaela Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use

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