Common Medications
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The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in front of the trachea, or windpipe, below your Adam’s apple. It produces several hormones that influence a range of body functions, including temperature, heart rate, respiration, metabolism, growth and development, and menstrual cycles in women. When the thyroid makes too much or too few hormones, it can impact the whole body and result in disease. According to the American Thyroid Association, an estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. Interestingly, up to 60% of individuals with thyroid disease are unaware they have a condition.
Common Thyroid Conditions
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which there is too little production of thyroid hormones. The most common cause is damage to the thyroid gland due to autoimmune disease, in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks thyroid tissues.
Hyperthyroidism is the excessive production of thyroid hormones. It is most often caused by an overactive thyroid nodule or Graves’ disease.
Thyroid storm is a rare type of hyperthyroidism associated with extremely high levels of thyroid hormones and severe illness.
Thyroid nodules are small masses or lumps in the thyroid gland that are quite common. They can sometimes be cancerous. Some nodules secrete hormones and cause hyperthyroidism while others do not cause any problems.
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition in which there is overstimulation of the thyroid gland.
Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland caused by infection or autoimmune disease. It may or may not be painful.
Goiter is an enlargement or swelling of the thyroid gland that occurs due to iodine deficiency. It may be harmless or it may be associated with an inflammatory condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Thyroid cancer is a rare cancer that is usually curable with surgery, radiation, and hormone treatments.
Medications for Thyroid
Various medications are used to treat thyroid conditions. The most common ones are listed below.
Hormone replacement medications are used to restore sufficient levels of thyroid hormones in people with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). This helps to alleviate symptoms and normalize hormone levels in the body. Examples include levothyroxine (Levoxyl, Synthroid, Euthyrox, Unithroid, Tirosint), liothyronine (Cytomel, Triostat), natural desiccated thyroid (Armour Thyroid, Nature-Throid), and liotrix (Thyrolar).
Antithyroid drugs are used to treat people with an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Examples include methimazole (Tapazole) and propylthiouracil (PTU). These medications work by preventing the gland from using iodine to make thyroid hormones.
Targeted therapies for thyroid cancer include medications like sorafenib (Nexavar) and lenvatinib (Lenvima) that work by preventing the growth and formation of new blood vessels.
Some medications like mifepristone (Korlym), osilodrostat (Isturisa), and metopirone (Metyrapone) can help patients with Cushing’s syndrome, which is a condition in which the cortisol hormone levels are very high. Thyroid disease is highly prevalent in patients with Cushing’s disease.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Thyroid
Over-the-counter supplements can potentially treat certain thyroid conditions. However, more often than not, they can do more harm than good. OTC supplements are not regulated by the FDA like prescription thyroid hormone medications. Some thyroid “boosters” have been found to contain unlabeled ingredients including active thyroid hormones that can lead to severe side effects. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you speak to a healthcare provider before taking any OTC thyroid supplements.
Some nutrients like selenium, zinc, iodine, iron, and vitamins A, B, and E are needed for the optimal functioning of the thyroid gland. Being deficient in these nutrients can impact thyroid health and replacement with supplements may help.
Common Side Effects of Thyroid Medication
Thyroid hormone replacement medications like levothyroxine can cause headaches, trouble sleeping, leg cramps, diarrhea, hair loss, skin rash, and muscle weakness as side effects.
Potential side effects of liothyronine include sweating, fast heart rate, chest pain, heat intolerance, headache, insomnia, tremors, and nervousness.
Side effects of natural desiccated thyroid include sweating, heat sensitivity, dizziness, difficulty breathing, mood swings, diarrhea, and fatigue.
Common side effects of liotrix include headache, mood changes, tremors, heat sensitivity, sweating, nausea, weight gain, and itchy skin.
Methimazole and polythiouracil can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, rash, hair loss, muscle and joint pain, numbness and tingling, and decreased sense of taste.
Common Questions
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)?
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue (feeling run down), sluggishness, depression, feeling cold, dry skin and hair, muscle cramps, weight gain, constipation, and increased menstrual flow in women. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include tiredness, hyperactivity (nervous energy), anxiety, irritability, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, heat sensitivity, muscle weakness, diarrhea, and low libido (loss of interest in sex).
Do I need to follow a special diet while on thyroid hormone medication?
You do not need to be on a special diet while being treated with thyroid hormone, with two exceptions – you should limit foods that contain high amounts of soy protein as this can interfere with thyroid hormone absorption. You should also avoid iodine supplements as they can potentially affect thyroid hormone levels. Your aim should be to eat a healthy, balanced diet to maintain a healthy thyroid gland.
Can I get a discount on thyroid medication with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including thyroid medication—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References:
1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8541-thyroid-disease
2. https://www.thyroid.org/media-main/press-room
3. https://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-hormone-treatment/
4. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682475.html
5. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/thyroid-vitamins
6. http://www.thyroid.org/wp-content/uploads/patients/brochures/HypothyroidismFAQ.pdf
7. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/overactive-thyroid-hyperthyroidism/symptoms/
8. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/healthy-eating-for-a-healty-thyroid
Common Thyroid Health Medications
Thyroid
Get the latest information on common prescription and over-the-counter thyroid drugs.
The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in front of the trachea, or windpipe, below your Adam’s apple. It produces several hormones that influence a range of body functions, including temperature, heart rate, respiration, metabolism, growth and development, and menstrual cycles in women. When the thyroid makes too much or too few hormones, it can impact the whole body and result in disease. According to the American Thyroid Association, an estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. Interestingly, up to 60% of individuals with thyroid disease are unaware they have a condition.
Common Thyroid Conditions
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which there is too little production of thyroid hormones. The most common cause is damage to the thyroid gland due to autoimmune disease, in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks thyroid tissues.
Hyperthyroidism is the excessive production of thyroid hormones. It is most often caused by an overactive thyroid nodule or Graves’ disease.
Thyroid storm is a rare type of hyperthyroidism associated with extremely high levels of thyroid hormones and severe illness.
Thyroid nodules are small masses or lumps in the thyroid gland that are quite common. They can sometimes be cancerous. Some nodules secrete hormones and cause hyperthyroidism while others do not cause any problems.
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition in which there is overstimulation of the thyroid gland.
Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland caused by infection or autoimmune disease. It may or may not be painful.
Goiter is an enlargement or swelling of the thyroid gland that occurs due to iodine deficiency. It may be harmless or it may be associated with an inflammatory condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Thyroid cancer is a rare cancer that is usually curable with surgery, radiation, and hormone treatments.
Medications for Thyroid
Various medications are used to treat thyroid conditions. The most common ones are listed below.
Hormone replacement medications are used to restore sufficient levels of thyroid hormones in people with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). This helps to alleviate symptoms and normalize hormone levels in the body. Examples include levothyroxine (Levoxyl, Synthroid, Euthyrox, Unithroid, Tirosint), liothyronine (Cytomel, Triostat), natural desiccated thyroid (Armour Thyroid, Nature-Throid), and liotrix (Thyrolar).
Antithyroid drugs are used to treat people with an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Examples include methimazole (Tapazole) and propylthiouracil (PTU). These medications work by preventing the gland from using iodine to make thyroid hormones.
Targeted therapies for thyroid cancer include medications like sorafenib (Nexavar) and lenvatinib (Lenvima) that work by preventing the growth and formation of new blood vessels.
Some medications like mifepristone (Korlym), osilodrostat (Isturisa), and metopirone (Metyrapone) can help patients with Cushing’s syndrome, which is a condition in which the cortisol hormone levels are very high. Thyroid disease is highly prevalent in patients with Cushing’s disease.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Thyroid
Over-the-counter supplements can potentially treat certain thyroid conditions. However, more often than not, they can do more harm than good. OTC supplements are not regulated by the FDA like prescription thyroid hormone medications. Some thyroid “boosters” have been found to contain unlabeled ingredients including active thyroid hormones that can lead to severe side effects. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you speak to a healthcare provider before taking any OTC thyroid supplements.
Some nutrients like selenium, zinc, iodine, iron, and vitamins A, B, and E are needed for the optimal functioning of the thyroid gland. Being deficient in these nutrients can impact thyroid health and replacement with supplements may help.
Common Side Effects of Thyroid Medication
Thyroid hormone replacement medications like levothyroxine can cause headaches, trouble sleeping, leg cramps, diarrhea, hair loss, skin rash, and muscle weakness as side effects.
Potential side effects of liothyronine include sweating, fast heart rate, chest pain, heat intolerance, headache, insomnia, tremors, and nervousness.
Side effects of natural desiccated thyroid include sweating, heat sensitivity, dizziness, difficulty breathing, mood swings, diarrhea, and fatigue.
Common side effects of liotrix include headache, mood changes, tremors, heat sensitivity, sweating, nausea, weight gain, and itchy skin.
Methimazole and polythiouracil can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, rash, hair loss, muscle and joint pain, numbness and tingling, and decreased sense of taste.
Common Questions
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)?
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue (feeling run down), sluggishness, depression, feeling cold, dry skin and hair, muscle cramps, weight gain, constipation, and increased menstrual flow in women. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include tiredness, hyperactivity (nervous energy), anxiety, irritability, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, heat sensitivity, muscle weakness, diarrhea, and low libido (loss of interest in sex).
Do I need to follow a special diet while on thyroid hormone medication?
You do not need to be on a special diet while being treated with thyroid hormone, with two exceptions – you should limit foods that contain high amounts of soy protein as this can interfere with thyroid hormone absorption. You should also avoid iodine supplements as they can potentially affect thyroid hormone levels. Your aim should be to eat a healthy, balanced diet to maintain a healthy thyroid gland.
Can I get a discount on thyroid medication with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including thyroid medication—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References:
1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8541-thyroid-disease
2. https://www.thyroid.org/media-main/press-room
3. https://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-hormone-treatment/
4. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682475.html
5. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/thyroid-vitamins
6. http://www.thyroid.org/wp-content/uploads/patients/brochures/HypothyroidismFAQ.pdf
7. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/overactive-thyroid-hyperthyroidism/symptoms/
8. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/healthy-eating-for-a-healty-thyroid
Common Thyroid Health Medications
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