By How do I calculate how much levothyroxine to take?
— Calculating levothyroxine dose by weight is comparable to using body-fat percentages or BMI, according to data presented here. “Traditionally, starting replacement doses of levothyroxine have been calculated by multiplying the patient’s total body weight by 1.6 ug/kg,” the researchers wrote.
Can levothyroxine tablets be halved?
Levothyroxine tablet is cited as one of the drug products that could be safely split to cut the cost (14). However, it is a drug recognized to have a narrow toxic to therapeutic ratio with significant clinical consequences of excessive or inadequate treatment.
What are the standard doses of levothyroxine?
The average full replacement dose of SYNTHROID is approximately 1.6 mcg per kg per day (for example: 100 to 125 mcg per day for a 70 kg adult). Adjust the dose by 12.5 to 25 mcg increments every 4 to 6 weeks until the patient is clinically euthyroid and the serum TSH returns to normal.
Is 200 mcg of levothyroxine a lot?
Adult dosage (ages 18–49 years): Your dosage will be based on several factors, including your age, weight, thyroid hormone levels, other conditions you have, and other medications you take. The typical dosage is 1.6 mcg/kg/day. Dosages are usually less than 200 mcg/day.
Is 50 mcg of levothyroxine a lot?
For patients over 50 years, initially, it is not advisable to exceed 50 micrograms daily. In this condition, the daily dose may be increased by 50 micrograms at intervals of every 3-4 weeks, until stable thyroxine levels are attained. The final daily dose may be up to 50 to 200 micrograms.
What happens if you take 2 thyroid pills in one day?
Taking an extra dose of levothyroxine by accident is unlikely to harm you. Speak to your doctor if: you accidentally take more than 1 extra dose. you get side effects such as a racing heart beat or chest pain – these may not happen straight away, it can be several days before they come on.
Is it better to take levothyroxine in the morning or at night?
Ideally, levothyroxine should be the only medication taken at bedtime. Just as with morning dosing, it is best to avoid co-administration with other medications such as statins, blood pressure drugs, and metformin.
What foods should you avoid when taking levothyroxine?
In addition, absorption of levothyroxine may be decreased by foods such as soybean flour, cotton seed meal, walnuts, dietary fiber, calcium, and calcium fortified juices. These foods should be avoided within several hours of dosing if possible.
Is 25 mcg levothyroxine a lot?
There are two strategies for initiating levothyroxine in healthy adults younger than 65 years: low-dose (50 mcg) and full-dose (1.6 to 1.7 mcg per kg). Traditionally, lower starting doses of 25 to 50 mcg per day are recommended for patients 65 years and older or who have ischemic heart disease.
What should I avoid while taking levothyroxine?
Why do you have to drink a full glass of water with levothyroxine?
Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions and try to take the medicine at the same time each day. Swallow the tablet or capsule whole, with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. The levothyroxine tablet may dissolve very quickly and could swell in your throat.
What happens if you take 2 levothyroxine pills?