Levothyroxine (Euthyrox) is a thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism. This medication can improve symptoms of low thyroid hormone levels, such as weight gain, feeling depressed and tired (fatigue), brain fog, hair loss, dry skin, and difficulty tolerating cold temperatures. This medication is available in tablet form and is usually taken once a day, about 30 minutes before breakfast, on an empty stomach, every morning. Common side effects of levothyroxine (Euthyrox) include headache, nervousness, trouble sleeping, and weight loss. Note that levothyroxine isn’t intended to be used for weight loss.
Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels)
Thyroid cancer (together with radiation and surgery)
Levothyroxine (Euthyrox) is a lab-made version of the thyroid hormone called thyroxine or T4 that's made by your thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones have important functions like controlling your metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, and more. When the amount of hormone is too low in your body, taking this thyroid hormone medication can bring your levels back to normal.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Chest pain or discomfort
decreased urine output
difficult or labored breathing
difficulty with swallowing
dilated neck veins
extreme fatigue
fainting
fast, slow, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
heat intolerance
hives or welts, skin itching, rash, or redness
irregular breathing
irritability
menstrual changes
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
sweating
swelling of the eyes, face, lips, throat, or tongue
tightness in the chest
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Change in consciousness
cold, clammy skin
confusion
disorientation
fast or weak pulse
lightheadedness
loss of consciousness
sudden headache
sudden loss of coordination
sudden slurring of speech
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Abdominal or stomach cramps
change in appetite
crying
false or unusual sense of well-being
fear or nervousness
feeling not well or unhappy
feeling of discomfort
feeling of warmth
feeling things are not real
feelings of suspicion and distrust
headache
increased appetite
mental depression
muscle weakness
quick to react or overreact emotionally
rapidly changing moods
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
restlessness
trouble getting pregnant
trouble sitting still
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
weight gain or loss
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
First-choice medication for treating low thyroid hormone levels
Safe to use for all ages and during pregnancy
Only need to take once a day
Generic available
Might take a few months to find the right dose and to see the full effects
Works best if it's taken on an empty stomach
Need to get regular blood tests to make sure you're taking the right dose
Interacts with many types of food, drinks, medications, and supplements
Take levothyroxine (Euthyrox) 30 minutes to 1 hour before breakfast on an empty stomach. This helps the full amount of medication get absorbed into your body.
It's important to keep up with all of your follow-up appointments for laboratory testing while you're taking levothyroxine (Euthyrox). Your provider will adjust your dose based on your thyroid hormone levels from your blood test results.
Most of the side effects of levothyroxine (Euthyrox) are symptoms of hyperthyroidism (high thyroid hormone levels). Talk with your provider if you have symptoms like anxiety, fast heart rate, or unusual sweatiness because it might mean your dose is too high.
Take levothyroxine (Euthyrox) at least 4 hours apart from aluminum-, calcium- or iron-containing medications and supplements, including antacids like calcium carbonate (Tums). These medications can prevent your body from absorbing levothyroxine (Euthyrox) properly.
You might have some hair loss during the first few months of starting levothyroxine (Euthyrox). This is usually rare and temporary; it should stop as you continue taking the medication.
There are many brands and formulations of levothyroxine available. It's best to try to stick with the same generic or same brand of levothyroxine. Also, don't switch manufacturers of the levothyroxine you're taking without speaking to your provider first. Your body might not respond to all forms of levothyroxine in the same way.
If you switch to a different form of levothyroxine, your provider might order blood work to check your thyroid levels and make sure your medication is working well for you.
Levothyroxine (Euthyrox) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Taking other medications for weight loss
Levothyroxine (Euthyrox) shouldn't be used for weight loss. It’s not recommended, safe, or effective for this use. Taking high doses of levothyroxine (Euthyrox) can cause serious or fatal effects especially if it's used with other medications for weight loss.
Risk factors: Current heart disease | Age 65 or older
Taking too much levothyroxine (Euthyrox) can cause heart problems, especially for older adults or people with heart conditions. Call your provider or get medical care right away if you have rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, or trouble breathing. Your provider might need to lower your dose or have you stop taking the medication if you develop new heart problems.
Risk factors: Adrenal insufficiency | Addison's disease
In rare cases, some people can have low thyroid hormone levels and low adrenal hormone levels at the same time. Let your provider know if you have Addison's disease, a medical condition that happens when you have low adrenal hormone levels. It's important that you're treated for this adrenal problem first before your thyroid condition. Otherwise, taking levothyroxine (Euthyrox) can cause your adrenal hormone levels to drop even lower and make you feel unwell.
Your provider should check your adrenal hormone levels before prescribing levothyroxine (Euthyrox). Seek medical attention right away if you experience long-lasting tiredness, stomach pain, dizziness, weakness, or vomiting while you're taking levothyroxine (Euthyrox).
Risk factors: Diabetes
Levothyroxine (Euthyrox) can raise your blood sugar levels, especially when you first start this medication and when your provider raises your dose. If you already have diabetes, your provider might need to adjust the dose of your blood sugar medications. Continue to check your blood sugar levels as directed by your provider. Talk to your provider if your blood sugar readings are higher than usual.
Risk factors: Postmenopausal women | Higher doses
Taking too high of a dose of levothyroxine (Euthyrox) can weaken your bones. Women who've gone through menopause are particularly at risk for bone loss. To lower your risk, your provider will check your thyroid hormone levels to make sure you're taking the lowest dose needed to treat your thyroid condition. Make sure to get plenty of exercise, eat a bone-healthy diet, and avoid alcohol to help lower your risk of bone loss.
Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
---|---|---|---|
30 tablets of 25mcg | 1 package | $6.85 | $6.85 |
90 tablets of 25mcg | 1 package | $12.87 | $12.87 |
30 tablets of 50mcg | 1 package | $7.19 | $7.19 |
90 tablets of 50mcg | 1 package | $16.23 | $16.23 |
30 tablets of 75mcg | 3 packages | $16.15 | $5.38 |
90 tablets of 75mcg | 1 package | $16.41 | $16.41 |
30 tablets of 88mcg | 3 packages | $16.16 | $5.39 |
90 tablets of 88mcg | 1 package | $16.47 | $16.47 |
30 tablets of 100mcg | 3 packages | $16.25 | $5.42 |
90 tablets of 100mcg | 1 package | $14.38 | $14.38 |
30 tablets of 112mcg | 3 packages | $16.76 | $5.59 |
90 tablets of 112mcg | 1 package | $16.99 | $16.99 |
30 tablets of 125mcg | 1 package | $8.22 | $8.22 |
90 tablets of 125mcg | 1 package | $14.99 | $14.99 |
30 tablets of 137mcg | 3 packages | $16.98 | $5.66 |
90 tablets of 137mcg | 1 package | $16.63 | $16.63 |
30 tablets of 150mcg | 3 packages | $17.11 | $5.70 |
90 tablets of 150mcg | 1 package | $14.68 | $14.68 |
30 tablets of 175mcg | 1 package | $11.54 | $11.54 |
90 tablets of 175mcg | 1 package | $18.66 | $18.66 |
30 tablets of 200mcg | 3 packages | $11.63 | $3.88 |
90 tablets of 200mcg | 1 package | $15.89 | $15.89 |
Your provider will find the right dose of levothyroxine (Euthyrox) for you based on different factors, such as your age, your medical condition, and the thyroid hormone levels in your blood.
The typical dosage ranges from from 25 mcg to 200 mcg taken by mouth once daily, about 30 minutes to 1 hour before breakfast on an empty stomach.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Uncorrected adrenal insufficiency
Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels)
Thyroid cancer (together with radiation and surgery)
Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone)
Lowering thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in people with other thyroid problems like goiters or thyroid cancer
Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels)
Thyroid cancer (in combination with radiation and surgery)
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Eghtedari, B., et al. (2023). Levothyroxine. StatPearls.
Haddady, S. (2018). Body weight appears to be the main levothyroxine dose adjustment variable. Clinical Thyroidology for the Public.
Jonklaas, J., et al. (2014). Guidelines for the treatment of hypothyroidism: Prepared by the American Thyroid Association task force on thyroid hormone replacement. Thyroid.
MedlinePlus. (2023). Acute adrenal crisis.
MedlinePlus. (2022). Metabolism.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018). Symptoms & causes of adrenal insufficiency & Addison's disease.
Wiesner, A., et al. (2021). Levothyroxine interactions with food and dietary supplements–A systematic review. Pharmaceuticals.
You and Your Hormones. (2021). Thyroxine.
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