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Levothyroxine is typically used to treat hypothyroidism, [12] and is the treatment of choice for people with hypothyroidism [13] who often require lifelong thyroid hormone therapy. [14] It may also be used to treat goiter via its ability to lower thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which is considered goiter-inducing.
Blood free thyroxine and TSH levels are monitored to help determine whether the dose is adequate. This is done 4–8 weeks after the start of treatment or a change in levothyroxine dose. Once the adequate replacement dose has been established, the tests can be repeated after 6 and then 12 months, unless there is a change in symptoms. [8]
When pregnant, a woman with a low-functioning thyroid will also need to increase her dosage of thyroid hormone. [16] One exception is that thyroid hormones may aggravate heart conditions, especially in older patients; therefore, doctors may start these patients on a lower dose and work up to a larger one to avoid risk of heart attack. [17]
Levothyroxine, a drug used to treat hypothyroidism, can lead to reduced bone mass and density in older adults with normal thyroid levels, a small cohort study has shown.
Taking levothyroxine (a medication used to correct hypothyroidism) could potentially lead to hyperthyroidism during earlier stages of treatment, adds Alexander.
In medicine, tapering is the practice of gradually reducing the dosage of a medication to reduce or discontinue it. Generally, tapering is done is to avoid or minimize withdrawal symptoms that arise from neurobiological adaptation to the drug.