FAQs
Multiple dosage forms of levothyroxine are available, including oral tablets, capsules, solutions, and parenteral dosage forms.
What do you assess when giving levothyroxine? ›
Monitor for signs and symptoms of overtreatment with levothyroxine. Indications of overtreatment mimic signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as anxiety, palpitations, tachycardia, heat intolerance, fever, excessive sweating, changes in appetite, and weight loss.
What should be included in patient teaching for levothyroxine? ›
Take the capsule or tablet in the morning on an empty stomach, at least 30 to 60 minutes before eating breakfast. Swallow the capsule whole. Do not cut, chew, or crush it. If your child is unable to swallow the tablet, you may crush and mix it in 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 milliliters) of water.
Is levothyroxine a TSH or T4? ›
Levothyroxine works by supplementing the low hormone levels with exogenous T4. Some patients, however, have mildly elevated TSH and normal Free T4. Providers diagnose this as subclinical hypothyroidism, and sometimes this is also treated with levothyroxine to lower TSH. This practice may do more harm than good.
What is the description of levothyroxine? ›
Descriptions. Levothyroxine is used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This medicine is also used to help decrease the size of enlarged thyroid glands (also called a goiter).
What should I monitor when giving levothyroxine? ›
Response to thyroxine (levothyroxine sodium) is best monitored biochemically. Thyroid function should be assessed every 6-8 weeks until the patient is euthyroid and then rechecked annunally, aiming to maintain T4 and TSH within the normal range (1).
What is the nursing assessment for thyroid drugs? ›
Nursing Assessment
Assess skin lesions; orientation and affect; blood pressure, pulse, peripheral perfusion, and vessel evaluation; respiration and adventitious breath sounds; thyroid function test to determine baseline status before beginning therapy and for any potential adverse effects.
What labs to check while on levothyroxine? ›
To find the right dosage of levothyroxine for you, your health care provider checks your level of TSH about 6 to 8 weeks after you start taking the medicine. You may need another blood test to check TSH again six months later. Too much levothyroxine can cause side effects, such as: Tiredness.
What to avoid when on levothyroxine? ›
calcium-rich foods, such as milk, cheese, yoghurt and broccoli, can reduce the amount of levothyroxine your body takes in. Leave at least 4 hours between taking levothyroxine and eating calcium-rich foods. soya in food and supplements may stop levothyroxine working properly.
When should levothyroxine not be given? ›
Levothyroxine should not be used for the treatment of obesity or for the purpose of losing weight. This medicine is not effective for weight reduction. If taken in large amounts, levothyroxine may cause serious unwanted effects. Hypothyroidism can sometimes cause infertility in men and women.
Current guidelines recommend a levothyroxine dosage of 1.6 mcg per kg per day based on ideal body weight or lean body mass instead of actual body weight. Ideal body weight can be calculated as the weight for height that would generate a body mass index of 24 to 25 kg per m2.
What do you assess for levothyroxine? ›
Assess heart rate, ECG, and heart sounds, especially during exercise (See Appendices G, H). Report any rhythm disturbances or symptoms of increased arrhythmias, including palpitations, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, fainting, and fatigue/weakness. Assess episodes of angina pectoris at rest and during exercise.
Is it bad to take levothyroxine on an empty stomach? ›
Levothyroxine is commonly used in the treatment of patients with hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine is often administered in the morning, on an empty stomach, to increase its absorption.
What are the symptoms of too much levothyroxine? ›
There are many risks of taking too much levothyroxine. The signs and symptoms of thyroid overmedication include anxiety, diarrhea, depression, elevated heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping, being overheated, and unprompted or unintentional weight loss.
What is the pill identifier for levothyroxine? ›
Pill with imprint T 4 50 is White, Oval and has been identified as Levothyroxine Sodium 50 mcg.
What is the best form of levothyroxine? ›
Despite concerns that generic levothyroxine may not be as effective as the brand-name drug (Synthroid), a growing body of research has shown that both are equally effective when first starting treatment of mild hypothyroidism.
What is the synthetic form of levothyroxine? ›
Levothyroxine is a synthetic version of a hormone called thyroxine. It replaces thyroxine if your thyroid gland cannot produce it and prevents the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine starts working straight away, but it may be several weeks before your symptoms start to improve.
Is levothyroxine mcg or mg? ›
It is strongly recommended that levothyroxine doses be expressed consistently in micrograms (mcg), not milligrams (mg), in all written or computer-generated prescriptions and health records, pharmacy systems, medication administration records, provincial/ territorial drug databases, drug information systems, and ...