Levothyroxine Ati Template (2024)

FAQs

How do I calculate how much levothyroxine to take? ›

Current guidelines recommend a levothyroxine dosage of 1.6 mcg per kg per day based on ideal body weight or lean body mass instead of actual body weight. Ideal body weight can be calculated as the weight for height that would generate a body mass index of 24 to 25 kg per m².

Multiple dosage forms of levothyroxine are available, including oral tablets, capsules, solutions, and parenteral dosage forms. Specific instructions for the dosage forms are as below. Capsule: Swallow whole; Do not crush or cut. Tablet: May crush into 5 to 10 mL of water and drink immediately.

The dose is usually 1.7 microgram (mcg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day but may be less in older adults. Children older than 12 years of age (growth and puberty incomplete)—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 2 to 3 mcg per kg of body weight per day.

Evidence of efficacy may include the following, depending on the therapeutic intent: Decreased TSH levels. Levothyroxine can improve symptoms by bringing the T4 and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels back to normal. T4 levels are within the expected reference range.

The best way to initially test thyroid function is to measure the TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) level in a blood sample. Changes in TSH can serve as an "early warning system" — often occurring before the actual level of thyroid hormones in the body becomes too high or too low.

Adults usually start with a dose between 50 micrograms and 100 micrograms taken once a day. This may be increased gradually over a few weeks to between 100 micrograms and 200 micrograms taken once a day. Some people, such as over-50s or people with heart disease, may start on a lower dose.

It's usually recommended that you take levothyroxine in the morning. If you follow that advice, take it on an empty stomach. Then avoid food and drink, including coffee, for at least an hour.

The symptoms of too little thyroid medication may feel similar to getting a cold. For example, you may feel a sudden surge of shivers, cold hands and feet, and even a sore or swollen throat. One of the signs of low thyroid hormone is brain fog.

Side effects usually only occur if you're taking too much levothyroxine. This can cause problems including sweating, chest pain, headaches, diarrhoea and being sick. Tell the doctor if you develop new symptoms while taking levothyroxine. You should also let them know if your symptoms get worse or do not improve.

Is it better to take levothyroxine at night or in the morning? ›

There is consensus that levothyroxine should be taken before breakfast to prevent interference of its intestinal uptake by food or other medications. In our clinics, we observed several patients whose thyroid hormone levels improved markedly after changing the scheduled intake of levothyroxine to bedtime.

These interactions may affect how well levothyroxine is being absorbed in your body. In this article, we'll talk more about certain medications, supplements, and foods that can affect your thyroid hormone levels. These include common items like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), antacids, grapefruit, coffee, and alcohol.

The starting dose in adults with primary hypothyroidism (growth and puberty completed) is 1.6 mcg/kg/day. This can be increased by 12.5 mcg to 25 mcg per day at intervals of 4 to 6 weeks until serum TSH levels return to normal.

For hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer: Adults—At first, 30 milligrams (mg) once a day. Then, your doctor may increase your dose a little at a time up to the usual maintenance dose of 60 to 120 mg a day. A lower starting dose of 15 mg per day may be given to patients for certain conditions.