Mechanism

• Levothyroxine works by balancing thyroxine (T4) hormone, which in turn helps maintain brain function, food metabolism and body temperature.
  
  

Dosing

• Adult dosing ranges from 12.5mcg up to 125mcg per day. Dosing is largely dependent on age, intended use and side effects experienced by the patient.
  
  

Common Side Effects

• Treatment with levothyroxine therapy is typically well tolerated by patients with minimal side effects. When side effects do occur it is typically because the dose is too high for the patient and has put him into the state of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
  
  

Side Effects Due to Hyperthyroidsim

• These side effects include chest pain, increased heart and pulse rates, increased sweating, heat intolerance, nervousness, headache, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, fever or irregular menstrual periods.
  
  

Warning

• Though this medication causes weight loss, patients and prescribers are warned against using this drug for that purpose.