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-13 2:59 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-12 9:01 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*
- 11,910,000
- 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
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Synthroid interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Synthroid used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 78,900 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 78,900 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 78,900 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 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
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
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
Question/Comment:
I am 75 years old and have been on thyroid replacement for the past 52 years. I was diagnosed when I tried to get pregnant with my now 52 year old son. I was switched to Synthroid when it first came out and have had no symptoms for most of these past years. Lately, since turning 75, I do have bruising and now two fingers turning bluish and going dead. I don't know if this is from synthroid but will now question the doctor. He recently took tests (blood work) to check me and said I should now take my pills 6 days a week instead of 7. Anyone out there with information regarding these side effects?
75 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-04 18:02:16
Answer/Reply:
I am a 63 year old female who has been on Levoxyl for about 10 years. During this time, I have experienced extreme cold sensitivity in my fingers and toes that I attributed to Raynaud's syndrome. Going to the grocery store is torture! My fingers blanch and then turn blue as feeling returns. After learning that this is a possible side effect of Levoxyl, I am now wondering if this might be my problem. I am also experiencing very painful leg cramps in my shins and tops of my feet at night. I plan on talking about these symtoms with my Dr. soon. Even though he says my blood work is normal, I wonder if my dosage should be changed.
64 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-07 11:25:41
Question/Comment:
I was dx with hypothyroidism in 2007 - 25mcg Synthroid & 6 mos later 5mcg cytomel - my main issue always was and still is the "brain fog" - I will have panic attacks because of them - prior to the thryroid dx I was dx with panic disorder & treated with zoloft...that had always treated the brain fog, but in 2007 was no longer effective which is when I was dx/rx synthroid. My tsh levels just came back at 1.72 - the brain fog is overwhelming! Any other sufferers and suggestions?
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-04 14:32:16
Answer/Reply:
Have you ever been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia? Brain fog is
typical of fibro, also low thyroid, chronic fatique syndrome, myofacial pain syndrome , and arthritis type joint pain. One by one each of these can be dealt with. Eventually, with exercise, massage therapy, acupuncture and eating food free of preservatives and other things, like dyes, you will improve. At least, I did.
74 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-11 19:35:17
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
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Patient Comments about
Synthroid