Your thyroid gland is responsible for creating the complex series of hormones that control growth during childhood and your energy levels for the rest of your life. Many of us suffer from an underactive thyroid, something which can go undetected for many years, particularly those who reach adulthood with no apparent growth issues.
Levothyroxine is an effective treatment for underactive thyroids
An underactive thyroid is unable to produce the required hormone levels to drive energy conversions at a cellular level. This will result in lethargy, tiredness, and in more extreme cases, chronic fatigue syndrome. While underactive thyroids are readily diagnosed in children and teenagers who fall behind on the growth curve, they can take much longer to diagnose in adults who reach their expected height. The acceptance of many people of a tiring and energy-poor lifestyle is a common reason why underactive thyroids can take longer than they should diagnose.
Levothyroxine is a synthetically created version of the thyroxine hormone. By mimicking the hormones that a healthy and properly functioning thyroid gland would secrete, Levothyroxine works to ensure the optimal balance is achieved in the body. The idea is to top up the naturally produced levels of thyroxine in the body, rather than overpower them with synthetic hormones. The lower the amount of medical intervention to achieve the desired outcome, the better.
Achieving the right dosage of Levothyroxine is crucial
While an underactive thyroid is detrimental to health, so is an overactive thyroid. The human body has evolved to perform optimally when resourced with a narrow band of thyroxine in the bloodstream. This means that it is essential to achieve the correct dosage of Levothyroxine with detailed input from a skilled pharmacist or other medical expert.
Levothyroxine is a treatment for hypothyroidism that begins with a detailed case review by a specialist doctor. It comes in five different dosage strengths, 12.5 mcg, 25 mcg, 50 mcg, 75 mcg, and 100 mcg, allowing doctors to determine the right course of action based on a number of physiological factors. These would include, but are not limited to age, sex, weight, body type, and the degree to which your thyroid is underactive.
How does Levothyroxine play a role in treating underactive thyroids?
A blood test will be performed by your doctor with the results used to determine your starting dose. The majority of fully matured adults start with a dosage of between 50-100 mcg per day. Your doctor will aim to gradually raise the thyroxine levels in your blood, with a review typically taken in the form of a second blood test around four weeks after you begin treatment.
It is common for patients to arrive at a dosage of up to 100-200 mcg per day within two months of starting treatment. This would then be taken every day, often for the rest of your life, with periodic reviews undertaken to check and adjust your levels accordingly. By acting as added assistance for the thyroid, Levothyroxine helps regulate key cellular processes responsible for your energy levels and overall well-being.
