Levothroid containing Levothyroxine sodium, is used to treat Hypothyroidism in infants as well as adults. Due to low secretion of the thyroid hormones – L-triiodothyronine [T3] and thyroxine [T4], Hypothyroidism occurs, slowing down the functioning of the body. Generic Levothroid sets right the hormonal imbalance in the body and cures memory or sleep disorders, certain heart problems, depression, or increased blood pressure caused by a short supply of T3 and T4. Levothroid treats other types of thyroid disorders as well.

Generic Levothroid is administered as hormone replacement therapy when the two key thyroid hormones; triiodothyronine [T3] and thyroxine [T4] – which is the more active hormone – get depleted, slowing down the body’s metabolism. Low thyroid production, or Hypothyroidism, can affect memory, cause sleep disorders, certain heart problems, or a slight increase in the blood pressure. The medicine is used to treat other types of thyroid disorders, besides helping in the growth of a normal and healthy fetus if timely treatment is given to a pregnant mother who is suffering from Hypothyroidism. If left untreated in pregnant women, Hypothyroidism can affect the IQ levels of the unborn fetus.

It is estimated that half of those afflicted by this ailment, inherit it, while approximately one-third of individuals with the Turner syndrome also have this disorder. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis also results in this condition. Diseases of the thyroid occur more in women than in men, while older people are more prone to falling prey to this ailment.

If you have been detected with Hypothyroidism, the endocrinologist/physician besides wanting your detailed medical history and the medicines – prescription and OTC drugs including nutritional supplements and herbal products taken by you – will also want to know if you have any heart or coronary artery disease, history of blood clotting, diabetes, anemia, epilepsy, osteoporosis, or any problem with your adrenal/pituitary glands. Also inform the treating doctor if you have any allergy to any medicine, food, chemicals, or preservatives. If you are required to undergo a surgery while taking Levothyroxine, inform the surgeon/doctor that you are on this drug. If you smoke, you will have to abstain from smoking, as this could lead to further complications.

Generic Levothroid is given as a single dose, which is individualized, according to age and weight. Since it’s a single dose, you are unlikely to miss it; if you do miss it on one day, do not double the dose on the following day, but if you miss the dose on two consecutive days, then consult the endocrinologist. Babies and small children may have difficulty in swallowing the Levothroid tablet – if the medicine has to be given to a small child, you can crush the tablet, mix it in a spoonful or two of water, and immediately feed it to the child with a dropper. The mixture should not be stored.

Fatigue, muscle-ache, slow heartbeat, weight gain, dry skin, constipation, puffy face, thickening of skin, sensitivity to cold, rough or grey hair, or loss of hair are amongst the common side-effects of Levothroid. These symptoms often disappear as the body gets used to the hormone therapy. However, if these symptoms become severe or persist, or any other unusual symptoms occur including changes in the heartbeat, difficulty in breathing, chest pain, insomnia, weight loss, diarrhea, intolerance to heat, excessive sweating, hives, skin rash, fever, or a change in the menstrual cycle, then contact your physician immediately or seek emergency help.

Levothroid is available in various brands, each having a different strength of Levothyroxine sodium: Do not change the brand on your own, just take the dose prescribed to you. Under-dosage or an over-dosage of the medicine can be harmful; don’t share your medicine with anyone else either.

This medicine has to be taken on an empty stomach, with a gap of at least 30-60 minutes before eating your breakfast. It should be stored at a room temperature between 15oC-30oC [ideally 25oC], away from moisture, heat and light, children and pets.

Levothyroxine sodium cannot be given to those who have had a heart attack, or if they suffer from thyrotoxicosis [another kind of thyroid disorder], or an adrenal gland problem that has not been controlled by treatment. It interacts with anti-epilepsy and anti-diabetic medicines. There are a large number of drugs with which Levothroid interacts as well as certain foods: soybean flour [infant formula], cottonseed meal, walnuts, and high fiber foods have to be avoided as these do not let the body absorb Levothyroxine completely. Drugs including Antacids which contain aluminum, sodium polystrene sulfanate, sucralfate, calcium carbonate, ferrous iron supplements, and cholesterol-reducing drugs should be taken 4 hours before or after Levothroid, so that your thyroid medicine can be fully absorbed.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease, and results in hypothyroidism, apparent in an enlarged goiter, that can be painful, and stunted growth in children/adolescents. This disease shuffles between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, so weight loss is replaced by weight gain, diarrhea by constipation; other symptoms include: changes in the heartbeat, sensitivity to cold, muscle/joint pain, infertility, hair loss, insomnia, anxiety, or depression.

The Turner syndrome, a very common chromosomal disorder in women, occurs when 1 of the 2 X chromosomes is missing or functions abnormally. Such women are short statured, have swollen hands/ feet, low-set ears, broad chest/neck, upturned nails, or drooping eyelids. They’re liable to have amenorrhea, non-working ovaries, sterility, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, diabetes, congenital heart disease, vision or hearing problems, and other autoimmune diseases.

Levothroid is also used to treat hypothyroidism as in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and individuals with Turner syndrome.