What medications are approved to treat hypothyroidism?
A. Medications for underactive thyroid work by replacing hormone that’s missing. The approved medication for this indication is levothyroxine sodium, which is identical to the natural thyroid hormone produced by the body. Examples of brand names for levothyroxine are Synthroid, Levoxyl, and Levothroid. These drugs may also be used in the management of thyroid cancer or other thyroid conditions. Tablets are usually taken once a day. Side effects mostly occur because of overdosage of the medication and can include nervousness, weight loss, rapid heart beat, irritability, and anxiety. Most patients with underactive thyroid need to take levothyroxine for a lifetime to maintain proper hormone levels. The safety of long-term use of levothyroxine is well-documented; however, patients need to have routine laboratory tests to be certain that the correct dose is prescribed for the underlying condition. Q. How would patients know if they are not getting the right dose of thyroid medication? A. Th
