Levothyroxine results levothyroxine, a disease that causes a lack of thyroid hormones in the body.
Around 27 million adults have this condition in the country, which can even affect newborns. Since there is no cure, most cases are controlled with levothyroxine, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
But how should this medication be consumed? What reactions can it trigger? Does health insurance in the USA cover its costs? Stay until the end of this article* and you will have the answers to these and other questions.
What is levothyroxine and what is it used for?
Levothyroxine (L-thyroxine or synthetic T4) is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone named thyroxine, and represents the first-line treatment for hypothyroidism.
When the thyroid gland —responsible for regulating body metabolism— decreases or halts the production of thyroxine, the medication compensates for this deficit and balances the patient's well-being, so that they feel as if they have no health problem at all.
Hypothyroidism can have natural causes, or arise after the removal of the gland through surgery, or due to injuries to it caused by other medications or radiation. In any of these cases levothyroxine acts with proven efficacy, also used against other less common thyroid diseases; or combined with surgery and radioactive iodine therapy in thyroid cancer treatments.
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Synthroid, Levoxyl, Euthyrox
Levothyroxine in the United States is among the top five most prescribed medications, and is generally presented for oral consumption, in compressed capsules of different microgram strengths (mcg); although it also comes in an injectable version.
Among the most common brands of this medication you can find Levo-T, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Tirosint, and Unithroid, which market units of between 25 and 500 mcg. The Food and Drug Administration in the USA (FDA) also approves Novothyrox and Levolet.
According to various specialists, levothyroxine capsules or pills are usually formulated from the hormone combined with some additives or excipients, and each brand includes a different dose of the medication's active ingredient in the tablets.
It is also important to analyze generic levothyroxine drugs, since between these and a brand-name medication there are differences in terms of name, appearance, prices, and more. In other words: they seem the same, but they are not. Hence the importance of consulting with your healthcare provider before changing brands of these thyroid medications.
FDA considerations on levothyroxine and alternative drugs
To replace natural thyroxine, there are two types of medications: levothyroxine, of synthetic origin; and DTE or desiccated thyroid extract. The latter is created from desiccated pig thyroid glands.
Along those lines, there are thyroid treatments in the United States with drugs such as Armour Thyroid, NP Thyroid, Nature-Throid, and Natural Thyroid, among others. However, the Food and Drug Administration in the USA does not approve therapies based on DTE medications, due to finding effectiveness issues with them.
According to the FDA's own records, there have been cases where a single lot included pills with different hormone levels, which would cause additional harm to patients. This is why it defends drugs of synthetic origin. But so far, it has not approved any that contain DTE, as reflected on its website.
To grant its approval to a medication, the institution requires a rigorous evaluation of safety, quality, and efficacy.
Is levothyroxine covered by my health insurance?
Yes. Levothyroxine is included in most health insurance plans in the USA. However, it is possible that in some cases your plan may not cover you if you decide to abandon the generic drug in search of another treatment.
For example, Synthroid is one of the medications for hypothyroidism, classified as a higher-tier drug. Many health plans in the United States cover it, including the government's Medicare and Medicaid plans. But most insurance companies prefer to cover levothyroxine sodium, which is the generic version of Synthroid.
However, health insurance in the USA usually covers thyroid conditions as a pre-existing health condition. This would mean financial assistance for expenses related to tests to diagnose the disease, consultations with specialists, treatments, and surgeries. Details may vary depending on the plan and the insurance company.
In the case of Obamacare insurance, the coverage for this thyroid medication is quite similar to the one already described, and in most cases, the patient pays between $0 and $10 to obtain it.
How much does levothyroxine cost in the United States?
The price of levothyroxine in the United States and other thyroid medications is usually quite high. The figures vary depending on the type of medication, the strength, and the quantity to buy.
For example, a 90-day treatment of levothyroxine sodium, in 75 mcg oral tablets, can cost around 70 dollars. But if you are enrolled in Medicare, you could save between 20 and 60 dollars for that supply. Your total out-of-pocket expense will depend on the prescribed dose, your plan's coverage, whether it includes a copay, and if you have already met the deductible.
In the United States, there are also Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs), sponsored by pharmaceutical companies that offer discounts or free medications to people with low incomes, without health insurance, or with incomplete coverage. This is a way to reduce the costs of levothyroxine treatments in the USA.
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Ten tips for taking levothyroxine
How to take levothyroxine is a question that could save you a lot of trouble in the future. Although it is an effective medication against hypothyroidism, it can trigger counterproductive symptoms for the body.
Hence these are essential advice which we gathered from various specialists in the field:
- Always follow the instructions of your doctor and the drug's leaflet.
- Take levothyroxine (or any of its variants) in the doses and frequencies recommended by your specialist.
- Take levothyroxine on an empty stomach to help your body absorb it quickly.
- Do not chew or crush the tablets, and try to take them with water.
- Store levothyroxine in its original container, protected from light, at temperatures up to 25°C.
- Do not keep the pill out of the container for a long time: take it out just before taking it.
- Discard the medication once it has expired, or if it shows visible signs of deterioration due to improper handling.
- Don't interrupt your treatment just because “you feel better”; consult your doctor first.
- In children, do not mix levothyroxine with soy infant formula and other liquids.
- Do not deliberately change treatment: ask your doctor first, or seek a second medical opinion.
You should avoid taking levothyroxine with food, especially calcium-rich foods, and certain medications or supplements that can interfere with its absorption. It's best to take it on an empty stomach, typically first thing in the morning, and wait at least 30 minutes to an hour before eating or taking other medications.
In the case of levothyroxine in the United States, each patient undergoes specific, personalized therapy, readjusted several times over time. It is a very useful medication, but it could affect the patient when they do not follow the steps and recommendations for its consumption.
Hence it is paramount provide your doctor with as much information as possible about your medical history and current conditions: if you are allergic to levothyroxine or any of the compounds in the tablets, if you are taking or plan to take other medicines or vitamins along with this plan, or if you have recently received radiation therapy.
This medication may not be favorable in people suffering from diabetes, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, or any kidney, heart, or liver disease. It can also be harmful if the patient suffers from anemia, porphyria, or has bleeding problems.
As a precaution, it is advisable to inform your doctor about pituitary gland disorders or any other problems that make swallowing difficult; and if you undergo surgery, even a tooth extraction. Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant women should inform their doctor before starting or continuing a levothyroxine plan.
Side effects and/or adverse reactions of levothyroxine
All medications can cause side effects. In the case of levothyroxine, many people do not report them., although cases have been reported of minor reactions, which usually disappear on their own over time. However, sometimes, adverse effects can occur.
If the levothyroxine dose is too high, the patient might experience Feeling of nervousness, trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, tremors or irregular heartbeats, especially if you have heart disease. In these cases, you may also experience chest pain (angina). In an extreme overdose situation, you may report difficulty breathing and even loss of consciousness.
If the dose is too low, then I would experience hypothyroidism symptoms. For example, constipation, confusion, feeling of lethargy, greater sensitivity to cold, as well as weight gain.
Children may be more prone to certain side effects. of this medication, such as headaches, changes in vision, and hip or leg pain. Older individuals more frequently report arrhythmias.
Consult your doctor to define your levothyroxine treatment.
People with hypothyroidism must keep two points in mind. The first, that not all medications will be equally effective against the disease; and the second, that not all will be covered by health insurance, which could mean expenses of between 700 and 5,000 dollars a year.
To date, most reported cases respond well to levothyroxine, which is a point in its favor. But The physician or specialist decides the course of treatment., because each person requires specific attention to increase the effectiveness of levothyroxine for treating hypothyroidism in the United States.
*At Dulcinea Insurance, we will approach pharmacological topics from a medical insurance administrative perspective. The medical information provided will be supported by accredited medical sources and its sole purpose is to guide the patient, never to substitute the expertise of healthcare professionals.
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