Diagnosis

Treatment

Medicine

Low Thyroid Medicine

You can try the diet and exercise recommendations on this site before you go to your doctor, but someties medication is just the most effective way to go.

We have individual pages with more information on the most popular drugs, but here are a few general points to remember about low thyroid medicine.

It may take several weeks before your body starts to respond to the medication. Be patient and stick to the dosage that your doctor has prescribed!
Thyroid medicine is not a quick fix. Low thyroid function is usually an ongoing condition, so you may be on the medication for the rest of your life.

Patients sometimes need higher doses of thyroid medicine during periods of intense worry or stress.
Thyroid medicine may also make your other medications act differently. This is because the thyroid directly affects the way that your body breaks down chemicals. Typically, Hypothyroidism reduces the effect of drugs on your body.
If you are suffering from any side effects, it is always advisable to consult your doctor.

Levothyroxine

Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of Thyroxine (T4), the thyroid hormone that controls your metabolic processes and influences physical development.

Liothyronine

Liothyronine is a synthetic hormone used to replace the most potent thyroid hormone, Triiodothyronine (T3).

Liotrix

Liotrix is unique in that it contains synthetic versions of both the main thyroid hormones, T3 and T4.

Natural Thyroid

The thyroid hormone in these products is completely natural, and actually comes from pigs. Many patients prefer this to the idea of synthetic drugs.