Thyroid Medicine

Having sufficient thyroid hormone levels is necessary for maintaining sound mental health and continuous physical development. Thyroid medications are used to supplement the body’s low or high levels of thyroid hormones, known as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism respectively.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not create enough thyroid hormones in the body necessary for certain functions such as metabolism. Doctors sometimes refer to hypothyroidism as “an underactive thyroid gland.”
On the opposite side, hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid overproduces the thyroid hormone. Despite appearing to be the polar opposite of hypothyroidism, there is an apparent yet complex connection between the two. In some instances, one can lead to the other.
Levothyroxine sodium, also known as L-thyroxine, is a popular thyroid drug. It is an FDA-approved oral and injectable prescription thyroid hormone medication. This drug works by supplementing the thyroid hormone, which is usually produced by the thyroid gland. This is a common medication when the gland is either injured or removed via surgery.
L-thyroxine is also used for other thyroid disorders such as goiters and thyroid cancer. However, this drug should not be used as a medication for infertility unless a link to low thyroid hormone levels has been established and diagnosed by a doctor.
Different brand names for this drug include Synthroid, Levoxyl, L Thyroxine, Levo T, Levothroid, Levothyroxine T4, Lecoxine, Tirosint, and Unithroid.
Common side effects of Levothyroxine medication are typically chest pain, joint pain, congestive cardiovascular failure, flushing, palpitation, irregular heartbeat, cramps, diarrhea, choking sensation, mood swings, headache, insomnia, hair loss, weight loss, infertility, tremor, fever, and decreased bone mineral density.