What happens if synthroid dosage is too high

You may need frequent medical tests. Tell any doctor, dentist, or surgeon who treats you that you are using levothyroxine. Do not share this medicine with another person , even if they have the same symptoms you have. Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose.

Do not take two doses at one time. Overdose symptoms may include headache, leg cramps, tremors, feeling nervous or irritable, chest pain, shortness of breath, and fast or pounding heartbeats.

Levothyroxine starts working right away, but it may take several weeks before you notice that your symptoms improve. They may also need to periodically change your dose on the basis of your blood tests. If you experience side effects, your doctor can lower your dose.

Health Topics. Health Tools. Levothyroxine Synthroid. Reviewed: November 16, Levothyroxine is a medicine used to treat people with hypothyroidism. Tell your doctor if you have: an untreated or uncontrolled adrenal gland disorder; a thyroid disorder called thyrotoxicosis; or symptoms of a heart attack chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had: a thyroid nodule; heart disease, a blood clot, or a blood-clotting disorder; diabetes insulin or oral diabetes medication doses may need to be changed when you start taking levothyroxine ; kidney disease; anemia lack of red blood cells ; osteoporosis, or low bone mineral density; problems with your pituitary gland; or any food or drug allergies. Side Effects. Side Effects What are the side effects of Levothyroxine Synthroid?

Call your doctor at once if you have: fast or irregular heartbeats; chest pain, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder; shortness of breath; fever, hot flashes, sweating; tremors, or if you feel unusually cold; weakness, tiredness, sleep problems insomnia ; memory problems, feeling depressed or irritable; headache, leg cramps, muscle aches; feeling nervous or irritable; dryness of your skin or hair, hair loss; irregular menstrual periods; or vomiting, diarrhea, appetite changes, weight changes.

Certain side effects may be more likely in older adults. Common side effects may include: chest pain, irregular heartbeats; shortness of breath; headache, leg cramps, muscle pain or weakness; tremors, feeling nervous or irritable, trouble sleeping; increased appetite; feeling hot; weight loss; changes in your menstrual periods; diarrhea; or skin rash, partial hair loss.

Interactions What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Levothyroxine Synthroid? Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. What should I do if I missed a dose of Levothyroxine Synthroid? You may be prescribed gel-cap or liquid levothyroxine if you are allergic to dyes or fillers, but the switch may result in overmedication. This is why close monitoring is important. You should get your TSH level checked within six weeks after beginning thyroid hormone replacement, or after changing the brand, formulation, or dose of your medication.

Pay particular attention to symptoms that develop after a recent pharmacy refill. They may be due to a medication error or change in the formulation. Changing your diet can affect how well your body absorbs thyroid hormone medication. For example, if you were eating a lot of fiber and then cut back on your intake, you may begin to absorb higher levels of thyroid medication.

Certain supplements can add to the effects of your thyroid replacement and lead to overmedication. Pay close attention to supplements featuring the terms "thyroid support," "energy support," "thyroid glandulars," "adrenal glandulars," and "bovine glandulars.

Supplements that contain iodine , such as bladderwrack Fucus vesiculosus , kelp, bugleweed, Irish moss, or seaweed are also culprits. Too much iodine, in particular, can over-stimulate your thyroid and trigger hyperthyroidism. Drugs that contain estrogens, such as hormone replacement medications and contraceptive pills, can interfere with thyroid hormone requirement. When you stop taking them , your body might require more or less thyroid medication than when you were taking them.

With Hashimoto's disease , your thyroid hormone levels can fluctuate rapidly. Hashitoxicosis refers to the phase when your thyroid is over-functioning and producing more thyroid hormone. Taking your thyroid hormone replacement medication when your thyroid is in hashitoxicosis can temporarily cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

During pregnancy, your need for thyroid hormone increases, so you may need to be prescribed a higher dose of medication than usual. Once you have the baby, your need for thyroid hormone drops. Hence, the dose of thyroid hormone replacement you were taking during pregnancy could be too high for the postpartum period. This can result in overmedication. Healthcare providers typically use your thyroid blood test results to see if you are getting too much medicine.

In some cases, having a TSH level that is lower than normal or a T3 or T4 level that is higher than normal can be a sign of overmedication. You may become overmedicated with changes in the dosage or type of thyroid hormone replacement therapy you are taking.

Certain health conditions and lifestyle changes can lead to overmedication, too. Symptoms of being overmedicated with thyroid hormone replacement drugs are often uncomfortable, but rarely dangerous. Your healthcare provider will run periodic thyroid tests and adjust your dosage as needed until your symptoms resolve and your thyroid levels return to optimal levels. Losing weight with thyroid disease can be a struggle. Our thyroid-friendly meal plan can help. Sign up and get yours free!

Duntas LH, Jonklaas J. Levothyroxine dose adjustment to optimise therapy throughout a patient's lifetime. Adv Ther. The history and future of treatment of hypothyroidism. Ann Intern Med. Guidelines for the treatment of hypothyroidism: Prepared by the American Thyroid Association task force on thyroid hormone replacement. Oral liquid levothyroxine solves the problem of tablet levothyroxine malabsorption due to concomitant intake of multiple drugs. SYNTHROID should not be used to treat noncancerous growths or enlargement of the thyroid in patients with normal iodine levels, or in cases of temporary hypothyroidism caused by inflammation of the thyroid gland thyroiditis.

Healthcare Professionals. Log out. Understanding possible side effects Certain side effects can occur with Synthroid, and these are often the result of your body getting too much medicine, also known as overtreatment. Keep food and medication interactions in mind Certain foods and medications can interfere with the way your body absorbs or processes Synthroid.