What is Levothroid and why is it prescribed?
Levothroid is a synthetic thyroid hormone that may be given in any of the following cases: (1) If your own thyroid gland is not making enough hormone, (2) If you have an enlarged thyroid (a goiter) or are at risk for developing a goiter, (3) If you have certain cancers of the thyroid, or (4) If your thyroid production is low due to surgery, radiation, certain drugs, or disease of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus in the brain. If you are taking Levothroid to make up for a lack of natural hormone, it is important to take it regularly at the same time every day. How should you take Levothroid? Follow your doctors directions for taking Levothroid. Take Levothroid as a single dose, preferably on an empty stomach, one-half to one hour before breakfast. Levothroid is absorbed better on an empty stomach. If an infant or child cannot swallow whole tablets, you may crush a Levothroid tablet and mix it into 1 or 2 teaspoonfuls of water. While taking Levothroid, your doctor will perform periodi
