7 Things Your Pharmacist Wants You to Know Regarding Hypothyroidism Medication

Hypothyroidism is an endocrine condition. It's a condition that cannot be prevented. It is a rare condition that can be cured with the proper medication and treatment. It is also known as an underactive thyroid. It is caused when the thyroid glands stop functioning actively and cannot produce the necessary thyroid hormone. This leads to a deficiency in the thyroid hormone. This condition is quite rare. But, it can be caused when there's a history of thyroid disease in one's family. Various other factors can cause this rare condition.

This system might not lead you to experience symptoms immediately. The symptoms of this condition include gaining weight, cold intolerance, lack of energy, stiffness in joints, muscle pains, dry skin, hair loss, infertility issues, decreased heart rate, and depression. If this condition is not treated with proper care, the patient will keep experiencing effects like slow speech, puffy face, decreased taste and smell, skin thickening, and eyebrow hair loss. Without your thyroid glands working correctly, your body routine will gradually slow.

The Myxedema coma is the most known form of Hypothyroidism, which rarely occurs. The signs of Myxedema coma are temperature falling below the normal level, low blood pressure, low glucose levels in the blood, unresponsiveness, and shallow breathing.

Treating Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is generally treated with a synthetic thyroid hormone, Levothyroxine. Hypothyroidism can be cured if the prescribed dose of Levothyroxine is consumed. The prescribed dose needs to be taken daily and at the same time. The treatment might make you feel better, but you must stick to the medication for life.

7 Things Your Pharmacist Wants You to Know About Hypothyroidism Medication

Treatment will take time

The medication prescribed to treat Hypothyroidism takes a long time to start treating the condition. Hence, it will take a few weeks to notice any improvement in your condition. Within a month, symptoms will begin to disappear. If you're at the right level of medication, you should be free of symptoms in about six weeks. For diagnosis & treatment, tests for thyroid-stimulating hormones are important for diagnosis and treatment, but it takes time for the medication to start acting. Once the medication is initiated, you need to constantly check your Thyroid Stimulating Hormones so that the medication levels can be altered according to the requirement.

Medication has to be taken empty stomach

Any food or other medications in your digestive system might blend with Levothyroxine, which may lead to you not getting the complete dosage of your medication. The medication might get mixed with other pills that you are taking. The medicine should be taken with water, and it's advised to avoid any food or medications within an hour of taking the medication.

Don’t mix Levothyroxine with supplements or antacids

Just as food can blend with the medication, antacids, and supplements can also blend with the medication, which can cause you not to get the total dose of the medicine. So, make time between consuming Levothyroxine and many different medications. The time gap must be more significant than an hour.

Discuss treatment changes with the pharmacist and Doctor

When you feel that your medicine needs to be altered or that Levothyroxine is interfering with any other medications you take, it is best to discuss it with your pharmacist. Let him know about your doubts and fears. You can also talk to him when switching the medication brand. Sometimes, the dosage of the medication needs to be adjusted. Discussing with your pharmacist about the same will clear your doubts.

It's okay if you miss a dose

Even if you miss one dose, it is unlikely to have any effect. This will not be a huge deal because Levothyroxine is the medication that builds up in your system. It will be okay if you miss the dose. When you accidentally miss a dose, you can take two pills the following day at two different times. However, it is best to take your medication at a consistent pace. The medication must be taken at the same time regularly. Consistency is vital in treating a condition like this. And you can never stop taking your medication without informing your pharmacist.

Hormones and changes in weight matter

Hypothyroidism is likely to occur in women five to eight times higher than in men. The hormonal and life changes like pregnancy might require the medication dosage to be altered. An increase in weight will require a higher dosage; a decrease in weight will require the dosage to be lower. This needs to be discussed with the professionals first. Your pharmacist might be unable to alter the medication dosage for you. But talking with him about the changes in your life will provide you with the necessary information. It will also help you get a better idea of the dosage you require and the alterations that need to be done.

Stick to the medication

Treating and managing Hypothyroidism is a commitment for a lifetime. It will require you to keep taking the medication. Just because you feel better, you cannot stop taking your medication. You cannot avoid taking medication because you feel like you are being treated. Once you stop using Levothyroxine, after a little while, you will go through all of the symptoms again.

These are the seven things that your pharmacists want you to know about treating Hypothyroidism.

Conclusion

Treating Hypothyroidism is done by healthcare professionals and doctors. However, when it comes to your medication and treatment, pharmacists play a crucial role. They will provide you with sound advice. They will also give you essential details about maintaining your medication. They will also give you insights on when to take your medications, and they can help you understand how to prevent your other medications from interfering with this medication. Pharmacists can also give you helpful advice on controlling life and hormonal changes. Hence, pharmacists play an essential role in the treatment of Hypothyroidism. And that is why it is suggested that you discuss any changes you come across with your pharmacist.