What are the side effects of Levothyroxine if you stop taking it?

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Answer

Levothyroxine is a thyroid hormone replacement. If you do not take this med it mimics hypothyroidism - sluggishness, being tired all the time, weight gain. Trust me -you will feel much better if you take this med!!!

Answer

I am not sure if it is actually a side effect, but I forgot to take my levothyroxine two days in a row and I woke up this morning with my eyes shaking uncontrollably and couldn't stop them. They did evetually stop but right after I was became drenched in sweat. If you know if this is a side effect please right back.

"Just so that you know, this sounds more like a side effect of taking too many thyroxine tabs, not missing them. Also, levothyroxine has a very long half life, this means that it stays in your body at quite high levels for a long time, so missing two days of tablets will have little to no noticeable effect. Hope this helps."

Answer

Levothyroxine is given to hypothyroid patients to replace what is naturally missing. It is not a drug as such, but merely supplements what the body cannnot produce enough of. Stopping taking levothyroxine would indeed lead to you becoming hypothyroid again. This means you'll feel sluggish and tired, be constantly cold, have dry skin and put on weight. Again I'd advise not to stop taking it unless you want to experience these symptoms.

First answer by Jonthescientist. Last edit by Jonthescientist. Contributor trust: 104 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 78 [recommend question]