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What Are The Side Effects Of Long Term Use Of Thyroxine Tablet?

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Posted on Mon, 28 Sep 2015
Question: Hi Doctor,
My mother has thyroid. She is 56 yrs old. wieght is 64. height 5.2 feets.
Doctor has prescribed her thyroxine tablet (75mg) every day.
I would like to know if there are any side effects of this medicine if taken for long term.
if yes, what is cure for throid. how we can get rid of this disease.
Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No serious side effects when the dose is right..

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Unlike other condition thyroxine tablets would cause significant side effects when dose is above required dose. Her treating doctor will however make appropriate dose changes as and when required based on TSH value as well as her response to it. So don't worry about side effects. If she notice symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, palpitation, sweating, tremors or unwanted weight loss we need to test thyroid profile and change dose.

As far as curing thyroid is concerned, only a small subset individual have had their thyroid condition reversed. Most people who were cured were pregnant ladies (gestational hypothyroidism) and viral thyroiditis. If she is not one of these, then most likely she needs to be on thyroxine for fairly long period of time.

Hope this answered your question.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (15 hours later)
Thanks,
question on overdose: she has TSH - 3. She is taking medicine of 75mg per day. can you recommend what amount of medicine she should take per day to have no side effects if she takes this pill daily for long duration.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (22 hours later)
Brief Answer:
TSH value of 3 is idea.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

How long is she on this dose. TSH of 3 is ideal value. If she is on 75mcg for a fairly long period, then I think she should continue with it.

In general the dose required depends on her body weight and TSH value. For someone with TSH above 6, we start with a dose which is equivalent to 1.6 times body weight. For example an individual with 50kg, 75 mcg would be appropriate.

If your mom has no problem currently, I would suggest her continue the same dose until she has symptoms similar to above mentioned side effects or TSH falls below 0.1.

Hope I am clear. Let me know if you need clarification.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Prasad J

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3708 Questions

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What Are The Side Effects Of Long Term Use Of Thyroxine Tablet?

Brief Answer: No serious side effects when the dose is right.. Detailed Answer: Hi, Unlike other condition thyroxine tablets would cause significant side effects when dose is above required dose. Her treating doctor will however make appropriate dose changes as and when required based on TSH value as well as her response to it. So don't worry about side effects. If she notice symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, palpitation, sweating, tremors or unwanted weight loss we need to test thyroid profile and change dose. As far as curing thyroid is concerned, only a small subset individual have had their thyroid condition reversed. Most people who were cured were pregnant ladies (gestational hypothyroidism) and viral thyroiditis. If she is not one of these, then most likely she needs to be on thyroxine for fairly long period of time. Hope this answered your question. Regards