What's the best time to take Thyroid Tablet?

The best time to take Thyroid Tablet is first thing in the morning on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. If mornings don’t work for you, you can take it at night, but wait at least [2 hours](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/hypothyroidism/how-to-take-hypothyroidism-medications-tips#tips-for-taking) after your last meal. The most important thing is to take it the same way at the same time every day.

How quickly does Thyroid Tablet work?

Thyroid Tablet usually takes a few weeks to work. Most people begin to feel better after about [2 to 3 weeks](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=9b517204-3d73-410f-aa86-741f29e51906&type=display#:~:text=T4%20levels%20after-,2%20to%203%20weeks,-of%20therapy.). Your prescriber will check your thyroid levels with [blood tests](https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/diagnostics/thyroid-function-test-interpretation) and might adjust your dose to make sure it’s [working correctly](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/hypothyroidism/signs-thyroid-medication-working).

desiccated thyroid

Generic Thyroid Tablet

Used for Goiter, Hypothyroidism, Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid Tablet is a prescription natural thyroid hormone replacement that comes from an animal source. It's used to treat hypothyroidism and other thyroid-related problems. You usually take it once a day by mouth on an empty stomach. Common side effects are usually related to too much thyroid hormone, such as fast heartbeat, sweating, or nervousness.

Reviewed by:

Daisy Chau, PharmD

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Last reviewed on March 10, 2026

What is Thyroid Tablet?

What is Thyroid Tablet used for?

Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone)
Lowering thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in people with other thyroid problems like goiters or thyroid cancer

How Thyroid Tablet works

Thyroid Tablet is a natural combination of two thyroid hormones which your thyroid gland normally makes: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones help control important functions like your metabolism, energy, heart rate, and body temperature.

If your body doesn’t make enough of these hormones, taking Thyroid Tablet can help bring your levels back to normal.

Are you looking for information on Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid), NP Thyroid (desiccated thyroid), or levothyroxine (Synthroid) instead?

When does Thyroid Tablet start working?Time passed since treatment started:

HOURS

DAYS

Initial effect

WEEKS

Full effect

MONTHS

Drug facts

Common Brands	Thyroid Tablet
Drug Class	Thyroid hormone replacement (T3 / T4)
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	Lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Thyroid Tablet

Drug Class

Thyroid hormone replacement (T3 / T4)

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

Lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Side effects of Thyroid Tablet

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Signs of having too much thyroid hormones in the body:
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Tiredness
- Muscle weakness
- Trouble tolerating heat
- Trouble sleeping
- Shaky hands
- Fast heartbeat
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Mood swings

When do Thyroid Tablet possible side effects begin and end?

Time passed since treatment started:

HHOURS

DDAYS

WWEEKS

MMONTHS

Risk of symptoms of too much thyroid hormone

If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.

Source: DailyMed

The following Thyroid Tablet side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Anxiety, nervousness
Excessive sweating or sensitivity to heat
Fever
Heart palpitations—rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
Irregular menstrual cycles or spotting
Severe diarrhea
Tremors or shaking
Trouble sleeping

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

Change in appetite
Hair loss
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting

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Avg retail price

$54.28(Save 29.20%)

GoodRx discount

$38.43

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Pros and cons of Thyroid Tablet

Pros

Contains both T3 and T4 thyroid hormones
Taken once daily
Might help when other thyroid medications haven't worked well
Available in multiple strengths

Cons

Amount of thyroid hormones in the medication can be different from batch to batch
Must be taken on an empty stomach
Requires regular blood tests to monitor thyroid hormone levels
Not traditionally approved by the FDA

Pharmacist tips for Thyroid Tablet

Take Thyroid Tablet on an empty stomach, usually first thing in the morning before eating. This helps your body absorb the medication better since food can affect how well it works.
Get blood work done regularly while taking Thyroid Tablet. Your prescriber will use your thyroid hormone levels to adjust your dose and make sure the medication is working properly.
Tell your prescriber or pharmacist about all other medications you take before starting Thyroid Tablet. It can affect how other medications work, so they might need to change your doses or schedule to prevent interactions.
If you take cholesterol medications cholestyramine or colestipol, wait at least 4 to 5 hours between those medications and Thyroid Tablet. These cholesterol medications can lower how much thyroid hormone your body absorbs.
If you have diabetes and are taking medications to lower your blood sugar levels, or if you're taking a blood thinner, your dose might need to be adjusted when you start Thyroid Tablet. Make sure to tell your prescriber about all your medications before you begin treatment.
Talk to your prescriber if you notice signs of having too much thyroid hormone in your body. These can include shakiness, chest pain, or fast heartbeat. They might check your thyroid hormone levels and lower your Thyroid Tablet dose if needed.

Common questions about Thyroid Tablets

The best time to take Thyroid Tablets is first thing in the morning on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. If mornings don’t work for you, you can take it at night, but wait at least 2 hours after your last meal. The most important thing is to take it the same way at the same time every day.

After taking Thyroid Tablets, you should wait at least 30 to 60 minutes before eating or drinking anything other than water. This helps your body absorb the medication properly.

Thyroid Tablets usually takes a few weeks to work. Most people begin to feel better after about 2 to 3 weeks. Your prescriber will check your thyroid levels with blood tests and might adjust your dose to make sure it’s working correctly.

Natural thyroid products like Thyroid Tablets are typically not recommended during pregnancy since they contain more T3 than T4 hormone, and your baby depends mainly on T4 for brain development. Levothyroxine is the preferred and recommended treatment during pregnancy. Talk to your prescriber if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Thyroid Tablets usually doesn't cause weight gain. It might even cause weight loss because thyroid hormone levels affect your metabolism. But you should never use this medication to try to lose weight. Taking it when you don’t need it, or taking too much, can be dangerous and cause serious heart or mood problems. Talk to your prescriber if you're concerned about weight changes.

Risks and warnings for Thyroid Tablet

Thyroid Tablet 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.

Not for weight loss

Risk factors: Taking other medications for weight loss

Black Box Warning Thyroid Tablet shouldn't be used for weight loss. It’s not recommended, safe, or effective for this purpose. If your thyroid levels are normal, taking normal doses won’t help you lose weight. Taking high doses of Thyroid Tablet can cause serious or life-threatening side effects, especially if used with other medications for weight loss.

Dangerously low stress hormone levels (adrenal crisis)

Risk factors: Adrenal insufficiency | Addison's disease

In rare cases, you might have low thyroid hormones and low adrenal hormones at the same time. If your thyroid hormones are replaced first, your adrenal hormone levels can drop even lower and make you feel very sick. Your prescriber should check your adrenal hormone levels before prescribing Thyroid Tablet. Get medical help right away if you feel very tired, weak, dizzy, lose your appetite, or have stomach pain.

Worsening diabetes

Risk factors: Taking diabetes medication

Thyroid Tablet can affect how your diabetes medications work and might change the dose you need. Be sure to check your blood sugar levels as directed by your prescriber. Talk to your prescriber if you notice blood sugar levels that are higher than usual. They might need to raise the dose of your diabetes medication.

Risk of heart problems

Risk factors: Current heart conditions like chest pain | Older adults

Taking too much Thyroid Tablet can cause heart problems, especially if you're an older adult or already have certain heart conditions. Contact your prescriber or get medical care right away if you have a fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, or trouble breathing. Your prescriber might need to lower your dose if you start having new or worse heart symptoms while taking this medication.

Interactions with other medications

Thyroid Tablet can change the levels of certain medications in your body. These include oral anticoagulants, insulin, and oral diabetes medications. On the other hand, some medications can affect the levels of Thyroid Tablet in your system. These include certain cholesterol medications and oral contraceptives.

Before you start taking Thyroid Tablet, talk to your prescriber about all the medications you take. They might need to change your dose or help you plan when to take each one during the day. This helps your treatments work properly and lowers the risk of side effects or interactions.

Thyroid Tablet dosage

The average cost for 90 tablets of 60mg of of Thyroid Tablet is $53.64 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 5.46% off the average retail price of $56.74.

Tablet

Dosage	Quantity	Price as low as	Price per unit
15mg of	90 tablets	$39.27	$0.44
30mg of	90 tablets	$38.43	$0.43
60mg of	90 tablets	$53.64	$0.60
90mg of	90 tablets	$72.60	$0.81
120mg of	90 tablets	$78.34	$0.87

Typical dosage for Thyroid Tablet

The dose of Thyroid Tablet depends on what you're taking it for. Your prescriber will adjust your dose based on your response to the medication and the results of your thyroid level lab tests.

Hypothyroidism: The typical starting dose is 30 mg by mouth daily. The dose can go up to 120 mg a day, depending on your body's needs. Your dose might be lower if you have certain health problems. The starting dose for children is based on their age and body weight.
Lowering TSH: The dose is calculated by your prescriber based on your body weight and is typically given for 7 to 10 days.

How much does Thyroid Tablet cost?

To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.

Thyroid Tablet (generic)

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$38.43

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Thyroid Tablet contraindications

Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Thyroid Tablet will not be safe for you to take.