How to Wean Yourself From Levoxyl
Levoxyl is a prescription medication used to treat hypothyroidism. Side effects with prolonged use can include osteoporosis (bone density loss). Shorter term side effects can include severe headaches, hives and skin rashes, shortness of breath and weight loss--all factors that might prompt some individuals to stop using this hormone replacement therapy. Follow these steps in tandem with a doctor's advice to wean yourself off Levoxyl.
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Instructions
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Talk to your doctor about an alternative treatment plan for your thyroid condition. Don't stop taking Levoxyl suddenly. Your doctor might want to run blood tests to determine your response to the drug, whether it is having adverse effects on your body and other health factors that will help both of you determine a different course of treatment. Once started, some people must take Levoxyl for the rest of their lives. Remember, feeling better is not an indication that you no longer need hormone replacement therapy--it is a sign the replacement therapy is working.
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If your doctor recommends discontinuing Levoxyl, you might need to taper off the drug gradually by taking a reduced dosage, decreasing the amount of the drug weekly until you transition to another treatment.
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Investigate alternative, natural and homeopathic treatments for thyroid conditions. Some patients consume coconut oil to correct thyroid imbalances, and others follow a diet rich in B vitamins and get daily exposure to the sun in tandem with a doctor's recommendations.
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Tips & Warnings
Antacids and cholesterol-lowering drugs can reduce the Levoxyl's effectiveness.
Stop taking Levoxyl and tell your doctor if you experience severe headaches, hives or skin rashes that might be accompanied by facial, mouth and tongue swelling. Levoxyl doses usually must be altered in diabetic patients. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes.
