Hypothyroidism Treatment

Published at 29 October 2024

Hypothyroidism occurs when the gland does not produce a sufficient amount of its hormones, and it is a chronic condition. You need to use thyroid medication for life, but it is good that the medicine is available, easy to use, effective in controlling lethargy, and it is enough to take it only once daily. (1)

What is the treatment for hypothyroidism?

Levothyroxine is used to treat cases of hypothyroidism, as it helps replace your deficient thyroid hormones. This medication is taken orally, and it is sufficient to use it only once daily. (2)

In some cases, your thyroid hormone test results may be slightly low, but you do not experience any symptoms. In this case, the doctor may only monitor the patient in terms of hormone levels and symptoms regularly. (2)

How do you use thyroid medication?

Here are the most important instructions for using the thyroid medication levothyroxine: (3)(4)

Time to take the medication

It is preferable to take the medicine on an empty stomach in the morning, at least half an hour before breakfast, with a glass of water. Try to commit to taking the medicine at the same time every day.

Medication dose

The usual daily dose is 100-150 micrograms, but it may range from 50-300 micrograms depending on your health condition; The doctor determines the appropriate dose based on the results of the thyroid hormone test in the blood, age, weight, and medical history. Usually, starts with a small dose and then gradually increases until reaching the appropriate dose. (2)

You should follow your doctor's instructions regarding the appropriate dosage for you; Do not increase or decrease the dose without consulting him, and do not change the type of medication without consulting the doctor.

Using other medications

There are many drug interactions between the thyroid medication levothyroxine and other medications, such as: calcium and iron supplements, multivitamins, and cholesterol medications. They must be separated by at least 4 hours, because they affect the absorption of the drug.

Regular check-ups

At the beginning of treatment, blood tests are performed every 2-3 months; To ensure the regularity of the level of thyroid hormones, and to make any appropriate adjustment to the daily dose, after settling on the ideal dose, the regular examination becomes every 6-12 months.

Alternatives

Consult your doctor before switching the brand of thyroid medication you are used to; Because some brands may differ slightly in their composition or dosage, which may affect your response to the treatment.

Missed dose

If you forget to take the medication on time, you can replace the missed dose within a few hours, but if the time for the next dose is near, leave out the missed dose and continue taking the next dose at the scheduled time, and do not take two doses on the same day. (2)

Pregnancy and some special cases

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or if you are approaching menopause, you should see your doctor to evaluate your condition and adjust the dose if necessary. Because these periods may affect the levels of thyroid hormones. (3)

At Al-Ahli Hospital, we care about your health and comfort, and we strive to provide the best medical services. If you have any questions or inquiries about treating hypothyroidism, or how to use the medication correctly, do not hesitate to book an appointment at our Endocrinology and Diabetes Department.