Levothyroxine is a safe and effective treatment for people with hypothyroidism. It works by supplementing the amount of thyroxine (T4), a hormone normally produced by the thyroid gland. Levothyroxine comes as a tablet that you swallow.
Like other medications, levothyroxine can cause side effects. If you experience levothyroxine side effects, you may be tempted to stop taking levothyroxine and hope you feel better.
But if you suddenly stop taking levothyroxine, your symptoms of hypothyroidism may return. So be aware there are risks of side effects from stopping your thyroid medication.
The most common side effects of stopping levothyroxine treatment are generally similar to the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Stopping levothyroxine does not appear to cause very serious adverse effects, such as a significant risk of death.
In very rare cases, it’s possible that stopping your levothyroxine treatment suddenly could cause very serious or even life threatening complications, such as sudden psychosis or a coma. But if you’re wondering, “Can you die if you stop taking levothyroxine,” that’s extremely unlikely.
If you want to stop taking levothyroxine or reduce your dosage, talk with your doctor first.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
The symptoms of hypothyroidism vary from person to person. It typically develops slowly and over time until the symptoms become prevalent enough for you to notice them in your daily life.
Some symptoms are more common than others. The first signs you may notice are weight gain and fatigue. It can become difficult to notice something wrong, as these symptoms occur naturally as you age.
Symptoms to look for if you suspect you have an underactive thyroid gland include:
- fatigue
- brain fog
- muscle cramps
- constipation
- decreased sweating
- loss of libido
- low mood
- unexplained weight gain
- dry skin
- irregular menstrual cycles
- slow heart rate
- joint pain
If you do not receive treatment, your symptoms are likely to worsen and get more severe as the condition progresses.
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Risk factors of levothyroxine
If you are considering stopping levothyroxine, it is always important to follow the instructions of a healthcare professional to help ensure you wean off the medication safely. Not following a doctor-prescribed tapering plan can put you at risk of developing withdrawal symptoms.
It can also cause the sudden return of hypothyroidism symptoms. Some signs that you are coming off levothyroxine too quickly include:
Although rare, withdrawal from levothyroxine can trigger myxedema, a condition that develops with advanced hypothyroidism. Symptoms of myxedema include:
- high diastolic blood pressure
- thickening of the skin
- swelling of the face
- slow heart rate
- intolerance of cold
- lethargy
- constipation
If you have stopped taking levothyroxine and are experiencing any of the above symptoms, talk with your doctor.
How can you safely stop taking levothyroxine?
A doctor may decide you need to lower your levothyroxine dosage or stop taking it if your levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) are too low. They may suggest safely reducing your dosage if your TSH levels are in a recommended range according to clinical guidance.
Levothyroxine takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks to leave your body. At this same time, your TSH levels will adjust to the level they will remain at after you stop taking the medication completely.
Doctors will typically recommend an adjusted dose every 4 to 6 weeks for this reason. Generally, they will also order blood tests to assess your TSH levels before a dosage adjustment.
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Levothyroxine is proven as an effective treatment for symptoms of hypothyroidism.
However, if you start to notice any of the following symptoms when taking levothyroxine, it’s important that you talk with your doctor:
- excessive weight loss
- returning fatigue
- heart palpitations
- tremors
- nervousness
- anxiety
- irritation
These can be symptoms of hyperthyroidism. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), this can result from ingesting too much thyroid hormone medication, such as levothyroxine (T4). If this occurs, your doctor will likely reduce your dosage.
Summary
In very rare cases, stopping levothyroxine without following a doctor-prescribed tapering plan may cause severe complications such as sudden psychosis, coma, or even death. But this is extremely unlikely.
If you need to wean yourself off thyroid medication or reduce your dose, it is important to follow the instructions of a healthcare professional to help avoid any withdrawal symptoms. They can also monitor your TSH levels via blood tests as they reduce your dosage.
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