Get Informed: Synthroid
Active Ingredient(s)
Levothyroxine
What does it do?
This product is primarily used to treat hypothyroidism. It consists of T4, one of the important hormones produced by the thyroid gland.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 7:54 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 9:03 PM
Other Names
- Synthroid
- Levothyroxine
- Levoxyl
- Levothroid
- Eltroxin
- Levothyroxine Sodium
- Unithroid
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- A
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to its ineffectiveness and dangers as a weight loss treatment.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 01 Dec 1963
- Est US Patients*
- 11,880,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Synthroid or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Synthroid
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Synthroid during the past year.
Synthroid Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Synthroid used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 79,200 patients that use Synthroid (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Hypothyroidism | 96% | 
|
| Hyperparathyroidism | 4% |
|
| Other | 2% | 
|
How well does Synthroid work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 79,200 users taking Synthroid (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 80%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Synthroid outweigh the bad things.
- 8%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Synthroid.
Common Side Effects of Synthroid
iGuard regularly polls our more than 79,200 users taking Synthroid (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
16% of patients experience side-effects on Synthroid
3% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Synthroid
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Hair Loss
-
Weight Gain
-
Fatigue
-
Dryness
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdo Pain/Cramps, Anxiety, Bloating/Gas, Bone Loss, Bruising, Cold Sensitivity, Constipation, Diarrhea, Grogginess/Confusion, Headache, Heartburn/Reflux, Heat Sensitivity, Increased Appetite, Insomnia, Itch/Rash, Memory/Speech Problems, Mood/Behavior Changes, Muscle Pain/Cramps, Palpitations, Skin/Nail Problems, Sweating, Swelling/Edema
Global Patient Feedback for Synthroid (Levothyroxine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have been on Levothyroxine for years and have had no problems. I only have to take my pill for 5 days a week and it haas been in normal for over 30 years.
67 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-19 20:01:36
Question/Comment:
I am a 54 yr. old female. I was taking 25mcg tab of Levothyroxine since 2007. I heard from a friend that it was bad stuff. So I stopped taking it. I read that there is a herb or some other type of natural way of helping but never found out what it is. Does anyone know anything natural? I have what the doctors call a mal-rotation of the large and small Intestines, plus my colon is on the wrong side. I suffer from severe constipation. Most man made medications cause constipation. This is why I have been getting off of them.
54 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-19 17:56:28
Question/Comment:
I had been on Armour thyroid RX for hypothyroidism since 1984 and was changed to synthroid in 2006. My total cholesterol count has continued to climb from 203 since I have been on Synthroid and is now at 319. I had angioplasty in 2002 with one stent placement and again February 18, 2010 with three stent placements. I feel that the synthroid is causing my cholesterol level to elevate, but have no proof of this. Thus far, none of the cholesterol lowering medications has helped, but my cardiologist seems to believe it is because my cholesterol problem is hereditary. Anyone out there with similar problems or an answer to how to lower this cholesterol.
61 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-12 10:08:01
Answer/Reply:
Experience tells me there is only one way to improve your cholesterol short of taking a statin and all the side effects that go with still not likely to give you what you really need...a good HDL.
That can only be acheived through a thirty minute, daily, exercise program using weight bearing equipment...resistance training.
You need not use barbells but machines, such as, Health Rider,
Rower, small hand weights while using treadmill, etc. This sharply increases HDL as well as reduces body fat converting it to lean muscle mass. Added benefit...lean muscle mass requires more calories to support it. It is a win-win. Either join a health club or buy your own equipment. If you purchase put a TV in your exercise area and tell yourself you watch TV only when you work out. Amazing incentive. Once you get going it becomes addictive because it sharply increases your energy and you sleep like a baby.
I do the above with incredible results. My husband tried statins and found he still couldn't get the results he needed without the exercise program. He rewarded himself with putting in an affordable and fun
sauna. Others add a hot tub. My husband regrets he did not heed the warnings and done this BEFORE not AFTER having emergency quadruple by-pass surgery. The surgery was twenty years ago this month and has not had to be repeated due to his faithful use of our home gym.
70 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-13 15:56:59
Answer/Reply:
I am a med student and also have taken synthroid for the last 20 years. I have never heard of any associated cholesterol side effects from this drug. I have never had any cholesterol problems at all or any other side effects from the synthroid in all the years I have been taking it. If you are really concerned about it, you should talk to you doctor about other medications you might try switching to, even if it is a short term thing to see of it changes your cholesterol:)
35 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-15 19:20:13
iGuard Answer/Reply:
When high cholesterol is hereditary, it is more of a challenge to lower it. Diet and exercise play a role, even if it is low impact like walking. Sometimes a combination medication containing a cholesterol lowering agent with a drug that prevents cholesterol absorption will be of benefit. It is unlikely that Synthroid caused an increase in your cholesterol. Before starting any exercise program, you should check with your doctor to make sure it is ok.
Posted: 2010-03-17 12:48:54
Question/Comment:
Been on 50mcg of Levothyroxin for 6 mos & have had multiple symptoms listed in these comments. TSH levels remained elevated until Dr said take pill by itself in early a.m. & wait a minimum of 1 hr b4 taking any other meds (take vitamins, especially calcium supplement, at dinnertime to avoid problems w/absorption). Levels are now within normal limits. As a result, symptoms are subsiding now that I'm back within the normal range (hopefully, inability to lose weight will, too). Only time will tell.
58 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-07 12:35:11
Answer/Reply:
Make sure you also wait an hour before eating after tkaing it also. It makes a huge difference. At least, it did for me.
36 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-20 14:35:18
Question/Comment:
Greetings to all hypo-t's..... I was on Armour for 56 YEARS, and adjusting to Synthroid has been tricky (hey, it's not chemo, so I'm just counting my blessings, and bearing with it.....). At age 58, I work 32hrs and take college classes, so I'm as caffeinated as most kids 1/3 of my age. However, Synthroid doesn't "play nicely" with espresso!!! If anyone is having rapid heartbeats, etc., please avoid caffeine for at least an hour after taking meds. (some people may need to give it up all together). People experiencing heightened anxiety might want to try breathing exercises and/or visualization, which can really help. Unlike the typical beach scene, try a VIP "trip" backstage with your favorite star(s); maybe a seat on the bench next to a sports team (spring training? Final Four? Wimbledon?) A "daydream break" of hanging out with your heroes can really be relaxing......... Hope this helps!
58 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-05 00:32:49
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Patient Comments about
Synthroid