Get Informed: Hypothyroidism
1 in 25 Americans have Hypothyroidism
iGuard is currently monitoring more than 69,273 patients with Hypothyroidism from around the United States as shown on the heat map below. These figures suggest that roughly 11.8 million Americans have Hypothyroidism with women being most likely affected.
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
Medications used for Hypothyroidism
Drugs commonly taken by iGuard.org users for Hypothyroidism are listed below, together with the percentage of patients that take each drug.
|
Commonly Used Medication Name* (Hover mouse over name to see medication class) |
% of Patients | Average Risk Rating | Has Generic Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthroid | 86% |
|
Yes |
| Prednisone | 10% |
|
Yes |
Less than 5%: Armour Thyroid
*This list is NOT EXHAUSTIVE - Only drugs used by a sufficiently large number of iGuard.org users are listed.
**Medications are sometimes known by different brand/generic names, depending upon how they are packaged or used.
Global Patient Feedback for Hypothyroidism ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
Hi,I am a 36 year old who has been taking Synthroid for 11 years now.I tried switching to a generic brand of the medication.I could tell the difference right away:mood changes,needed more sleep,etc..I tried the change so that my insurance would cover the medication.I had no choice but to go back to the Synthroid even though I must pay for it.Not all medications are created equal is what I am learning.The thing is with me,for some reason,my Endocronologist usually has to adjust my dosage a couple times a year.I am curious as to whether this is normal to have to adjust the dosage so much.I honestly believe that the last increase I got is causing me to have high blood pressure.Should I get my levels checked before I let my regular physician put me on high blood pressure medication since I don't believe that I ever had any issues with my blood pressure before my Synthroid increase?
36 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-23 00:23:45
Answer/Reply:
In most cases insurances should cover the name brand drug if on the written prescription the puts on there daw. Which stands for dispense as written.
52 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-23 15:15:08
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Synthroid and many other thyroid medications have a very narrow range where there will work effectively and safely for each patient. Many dose adjustments may be required in order to optimize a level that is best for each patient. You should ask you doctor to provide you with your specific levels from your bloodwork so you can be more involved and have a better understanding of your therapy. It is difficult to assess what is causing your high blood pressure from the information shared, however a discussion about recent changes in your life (including medications, stress, or diet) with your doctor may be helpful for you. Leaving high blood pressure untreated is very harmful for your health and poses significant health consequences over the long term.
Posted: 2009-09-24 22:07:50
Answer/Reply:
I had high blood pressure before I got put on synthroid so I don't think it causes it. Also, I believe that hypothyroidism is an inherited disease because my father had it and my brother has it. I 'm just on a low dose of synthroid.
My neighbor has to adjust her dosage all the time because every now and then her thyroid starts to work for a period of time and decides to quit or slow down causing her to have to increase or decrease the dosage.
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-27 21:48:29
Question/Comment:
My medience works great but got pregnant at 40 and lost the baby at 51/2 months ..never checked thyroid levels yet. Don't know if that is what happend but I gained about10 pounds and can not for the life of me lose it now!! Anyone have advice on how to loose weight safely with hypo??? Nothing works. Thanks
41 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-12 00:04:03
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
You need to get your thyroid levels checked first and foremost, and based on the results, begin taking thyroid replacement medication. Weight gain is a side effect of hypothyroidism. There are a variety of doses available so sometimes it takes some dose adjustment to get to the correct level for you. By working closely with your doctor, and getting blood levels drawn, you should find the appropriate dose for you.
Also keep in mind that losing weight is difficult no matter what the cause of the weight gain. You will mostly likely need to adopt a reduced calorie diet and increased exercise to help you lose the weight. You may also want to ask your doctor to refer you to a nutritionist or a weight management program in your area.
Posted: 2009-08-16 16:41:30
Answer/Reply:
I have been hypo since age 20, with a complete thyroidectomy at age 21 due to thyroid cancer. I am now 42 and have struggled with weight gain ever since. About 1 1/2 yrs ago I decided enough was enough...losing weight on my own was not working. I joined LA Weightloss and lost 40lbs. It is a life style change and with exercise it is possible to keep it off. Knowing I will always struggle with weight issues it really helped me to have a support system as well as the accountability. I eat healthier now and feel much better. My doctor was thrilled when I went in the last time with my weight loss. If you are serious about losing weight...I would suggest trying LA, they teach you how to cook healthy for yourself and not just eat already prepared meals. This will be the biggest help in your weightloss and it is what I really needed.
42 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-10 12:22:31
Question/Comment:
If anyone is taking Synthyroid, and still feeling the ill effects of hypo symptoms, I have some valuable information for you that doctors never offer. If you would like to better your life, please email me at kittiekatville@aol.com. I have already assisted about a dozen or so of the forums readers, and their lives are changing, daily.
31 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-10 20:11:30
Question/Comment:
I have taken Levothyroxin : generic for Levoxyl since 2001. I can really tell a difference within myself if I do not take the medicine. I call it my nerve medicine. I get very irritable and cranky when I forget to take it also. I have never heard of the Armour thyroid medication and was kind of curious as to how that would be or if it would be the same or better than I am taking now. I also notice that there were several complaints as to weight gain. I had gained quite a bit of weight at first but I seem to have taken it off since my does was tweeked a little and I also am on Lasik, it seems as though I have carried alot of fluid. I was wondering if that might be the cause for some people with their weight. I had thyroid cancer in 2001 and my thyroid was removed and my parathyroid glands also so I have to have synthetic drugs to survive. I seem to be doing ok.
38 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-31 04:47:30
Question/Comment:
i am taking Synthroid for 15 years now, it helps alot.Is it true if brand name med helps it is bettre not to change to its generic version?
19 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-20 11:29:58
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Synthroid is a medication that has narrow therapeutic range, which means your dose is adjusted based on closely monitoring your symptoms and thyroid hormone levels. Small changes in the strength of the medication can cause a change in your hormone levels. For this reason, it is best to stay with one brand of medication. If you are taking the generic, it is best not to switch generic manufacturers either.
Posted: 2009-07-23 01:38:55
Answer/Reply:
I have been on Synthroid since July 1988. I see my doctor who is an endocrinologist, every 6 months and we do a full blood panel including TSH for my hypothyrodism. I was 46 yrs of age when diagnosed and I will be 67 in October of 09 and my doctor will not let me take a generic. I have done great ever since 1988 and he has not had to ajust the dosage at all. I think the main thing is to always follow your doctor's advice and return for your check-up when it is advised. I also have been on Prozac since July 1988 and I have not suffered one day of depression nor suicidal tendencies ..Again, I do exactly as my doctor suggests and he has saved my life in more ways I can ever begin to thank him..I think a lot of people are guilty of not seeing an immediate difference in ones' bdhavior and feeling, therefore self diagosing and not taking the meds and then complain "oh, it did not work for me".. I will stand on my soapbox and preach the importance of seeing the doctor as suggested and following his/her directions. LIFE IS GOOD. I TAKE TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES..LOVE RAINDROPS ON MY HEAD and EVERY SONG THE BIRDS SING.
67 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-05 19:28:16
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Patient Comments about
Hypothyroidism