Pictures of Levothyroxine Pills for Hypothyroidism

What Levothyroxine Tablets Look Like for Hypothyroidism Treatment

Levothyroxine is a medication used to treat hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid that causes symptoms like fatigue, weight gain and feeling cold. It replaces the hormone thyroxine that your thyroid fails to produce enough of when diseased or damaged.

Levothyroxine tablets come in different strengths, shapes, sizes and colors. Being familiar with what form and dose of levothyroxine you take can help ensure you get the right medication when filling prescriptions.

Understanding Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism develops when your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormones. This slows your metabolism and can cause:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Muscle weakness
• Hair loss
• Dry skin and hair
• Sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Problems with memory and concentration

Hypothyroidism often results from autoimmune disorder Hashimoto’s disease but can also develop from thyroid inflammation or prior treatment for hyperthyroidism.

How Levothyroxine Treats Hypothyroid

Levothyroxine is the synthetic version of thyroxine (T4), your thyroid’s main hormone. Taking it supplements the T4 your body needs that your thyroid fails to produce.

Once absorbed in your bloodstream, your body converts levothyroxine to triiodothyronine (T3) that cells then use to regulate energy and metabolism. Restoring normal T4 and T3 levels reverses hypothyroidism symptoms.

Most people with underactive thyroid need to take levothyroxine long-term since the condition seldom resolves on its own.

Different Strengths of Levothyroxine Tablets

Levothyroxine tablets come in multiple strengths from 25 micrograms (mcg) up to 300 mcg. The dose you need depends on factors like your age, health status and severity of hypothyroidism.

For example, a newly diagnosed adult often starts at 25 to 50 mcg, while older adults may need 100 mcg or more. Your doctor determines and adjusts your dose based on thyroid blood tests.

The most common levothyroxine doses used for hypothyroid treatment are:

• 25 mcg
• 50 mcg
• 75 mcg
• 88 mcg
• 100 mcg
• 112 mcg
• 125 mcg
• 137 mcg
• 150 mcg
• 175 mcg
• 200 mcg
• 300 mcg

Colors of Levothyroxine Pills

In addition to coming in different microgram strengths, levothyroxine tablets also vary in their color and shape:

• 25 mcg - White, round tablet
• 50 mcg - White, round tablet
• 75 mcg - Purple, round tablet
• 88 mcg - Olive green, oval tablet
• 100 mcg - Yellow, round tablet
• 112 mcg - Rose/pink, round tablet
• 125 mcg - Brown, oval tablet
• 137 mcg - Teal blue, round tablet
• 150 mcg - Lilac, round tablet
• 175 mcg - Lilac, oval tablet
• 200 mcg - Pink, oval tablet
• 300 mcg - Green, oval tablet

The dye used to color code tablets helps ensure you take right strength. It also enables detecting incorrect doses during manufacturing.

Brand Names of Levothyroxine

In the United States and Canada, the most well-known brand names for levothyroxine tablets include:

• Synthroid – The most commonly prescribed form, from AbbVie pharmaceutical company
• Levoxyl – Made by King Pharmaceuticals
• Unithroid – Manufactured by Jerome Stevens Pharmaceuticals
• Tirosint – Levo-T formula by IBSA Pharma

There are also generic versions of levothyroxine. They offer the same synthetic thyroxine T4 hormone but often cost much less than branded tablets.

Key Differences Among Brands

While branded levothyroxine tablets seem almost identical in content, there can be subtle differences such as:

• Excipients – Binders, fillers and preservatives used in making tablets
• Production standards – How precisely doses match labeling claims
• Absorption rates – How quickly body takes up medication
• Stability – Potency retention on shelf and after opening

These factors influence how consistently and efficiently your body utilizes the tablets. Even slight variances can affect symptom improvement for some.

Is Brand or Generic Levothyroxine Best?

Most people do well on any FDA-approved brand or generic levothyroxine product. But some report better results with a specific type and perceive differences between formulations.

There’s little consensus from research whether one option works better though. Cost and availability make the biggest difference for most people in determining what levothyroxine type to take.

What to Expect When Starting Levothyroxine

It may take a few months after starting levothyroxine to regain normal thyroid hormone levels and feel totally symptom-free. But many people begin noticing some improvements in energy, weight and mental clarity in the first few weeks.

Be sure to:

• Take tablets correctly each day on empty stomach
• Wait an hour before eating or drinking (except water)
• Get lab work done in 6 to 8 weeks to see if dose needs adjusting

Let your doctor know if fatigue, weight changes or other hypothyroid symptoms persist so they can modify your levothyroxine dosage if needed.

Tips for Taking Levothyroxine Tablets

Following dosage guidelines correctly is important when taking levothyroxine:

• Take first thing in morning before eating/drinking
• Swallow tablets whole without chewing or crushing
• Space doses 4 to 5 hours apart if taking more than once daily
• Avoid taking antacids, iron, calcium or multivitamins near dose time

Taking tablets consistently improves absorption. But let your doctor know if you miss more than 2 or 3 doses in a row.

Can You Cut or Split Levothyroxine Tablets?

No, you should swallow levothyroxine tablets whole. Cutting or splitting tablets to adjust doses can lead to inaccurate dosing.

The medication is distributed evenly throughout tablets during manufacturing. Breaking them upsets that balance and affects how much hormone you receive from each piece.

Plus, levothyroxine tablets have an enteric coating to withstand stomach acid. Damaging this protective barrier results in more T4 hormone getting destroyed before reaching your bloodstream.

What If You Can’t Swallow Pills?

Some people have trouble swallowing tablets or prefer a liquid levothyroxine product. A solution called Tirosint-SOL offers the medication in a berry-flavored liquid form.

However, it requires refrigeration to maintain potency and generally costs more than tablets. Check with your pharmacist or doctor about access and pricing if interested.

Getting Support for Hypothyroidism

Taking levothyroxine daily often makes hypothyroid symptoms manageable. But lifestyle measures like good sleep hygiene, nutrition and stress management also help optimize energy.

Connect with others managing hypothyroidism through in-person or online communities. They can offer experience-based tips for feeling your best on thyroid hormone replacement.

Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor if fatigue, mental fogginess or other expected symptoms persist despite taking levothyroxine. Dose adjustments or adding supplementary thyroid hormones can help resolve lingering issues.

Knowing exactly what type, color and dose of levothyroxine tablet you take ensures getting the right medication. Having that information on hand makes discussing your treatment and symptom response with healthcare providers much easier too.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.