Thyronorm (levothyroxine) is a synthetic form of thyroxine, a hormone ordinarily produced by the thyroid. If the thyroid fails to produce sufficient amounts of thyroxine then Thyronorm may be utilized to compensate, alleviating a range of symptoms that vary from unpleasant to dangerous.

Failure of the thyroid to produce enough thyroxine is often called hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid, though it should be noted that Thyronorm is not always the ideal solution for these conditions in all cases; a doctor should be involved with diagnosing the exact condition and selecting a good treatment. Too much thyroxine can be every bit as dangerous as too little.

With doctor involvement Thyronorm can be used in patients below age 18, though the need for such medications is unusual in young patients. Modified dosing and administration frequency will likely be required. Do not give Thyronorm to young patients without explicit doctor approval.

Benefits of Thyronorm

Thyronorm can offer tremendous benefit to patients suffering low levels of thyroxine, as symptoms are prevented from worsening and eventually reversed. Symptoms include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Thinning hair
• Memory loss
• Increased cold sensitivity
• Weight gain
• Weakness
• Muscle or joint aches
• Increased cholesterol
• Decreased heart rate
• Excessively dry skin
• Chronic constipation
• Hoarseness
• Puffiness in face
• Delayed puberty

Untreated, the above can worsen to such a degree that they can become seroiusly disruptive or even fatal. Note, however, that all of the above symptoms can have causes unrelated to thyroxine, in which case Thyronorm will not provide benefit and may cause harm. A doctor or laboratory should evaluate thyroxine levels prior to considering treatment.

Taking Thyronorm

Thyronorm comes in tablets, typically taken once per day. Dosage can vary depending on the severity of the hypothyroidism, as well as age, weight, other medications, and so on; response to treatment can also impact dosage. Regular doctor visits are important to attend so doctors can monitor the medication's effectiveness as well as watch for developing side effects.

Tablets are best taken on an empty stomach, ideally 30 to 60 minutes prior to the first meal of the day. It's okay to consume water prior to taking, or with, tablets, but juice, milk, soda, or other such beverages should be avoided until 30 to 60 minutes after.

In other words:

• Daily doses are taken once per day on an empty stomach, typically in the morning 30 to 60 minutes before consuming anything other than water.
• Daily doses are best determined by a doctor; in otherwise healthy adults, 1.7 mcg of levothyroxine per kg of weight per day is standard.
• Patients may need to wait up to 4 hours before consuming certain foods, vitamins, supplements, or other medications.
• Improvements are usually noticed within 4 to 6 weeks of starting Thyronorm, but it may take several months for full effects to be felt.
• Treatment should continue for as long as needed, which may be for the remainder of life.
• If treatment is stopped symptoms of hypothyroidism may reappear.

If the condition is not otherwise addressed, Thyronorm treatment will likely continue indefinitely, possibly for the remainder of life. If improvements are not noticed after the first month of treatment, if they worsen, or if serious side effects develop, a doctor should be consulted; there are alternative therapies that may prove more useful for a given individual.

Warnings & Potential Complications

Patients should be aware that there are a number of medications which have levothyroxine as an active ingredient, not just Thyronorm. Be aware that these products, even if the same dosage strength, are not necessarily interchangeable; different formulations may be absorbed differently, increasing or decreasing the amount of medication in the body. Ideally a patient will stick to the same brand/manufacturer; if needing to switch, notify a doctor. Exams may need to temporarily increased and dosage adjustments may be required.

There are a wide range of foods, vitamins, supplements and other medications, including non-prescription, which may interfere with Thyronorm. If in doubt, wait at least 4 hours after taking Thyronorm before consuming the product in question. A very short list of potential interactions with Thyronorm includes:

• Grapefruit
• Coffee
• Calcium
• Iron
• Antacids
• Amphetamines
• Lithium
• Steroids
• Insulin
• Blood thinners

Most side effects associated with Thyronorm are mild and stop occurring within the first month of treatment:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Difficulty sleeping
• Restlessness
• Temporary hair loss
• Sweating
• Mild mood swings
• Increased appetite
• Weight loss

The above are not cause for concern unless severe or persistent beyond one month of treatment.

Rarely more dangerous side effects may develop, particularly if dosage is too high. It may take a week to 10 days after a dosage change for adverse effects to be noticeable, so patients should be alert for:

• Abnormal heart beat
• Severe abdominal pain
• Extreme confusion or agitation
• High fever
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

If the above symptoms are noticed emergency medical attention should be sought.