Synthroid® Tablets for Hypothyroidism: Uses, Dosing, and Safety

What Synthroid® Is and How It Works

Synthroid is a brand of levothyroxine sodium used to treat hypothyroidism and to suppress TSH in certain thyroid cancers and goiter. It replaces thyroxine (T4), a hormone the thyroid normally makes. Many people search to order synthroid online for convenient home delivery and predictable dosing. If you compare options, you may also review the synthroid price without insurance and how generic levothyroxine fits your budget.

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Synthroid comes as oral tablets, taken once daily on an empty stomach. Typical use is lifelong. Your clinician sets a dose based on weight, age, TSH targets, and clinical status. Tablets are available in multiple strengths, including 25 mcg, 50 mcg, 75 mcg, 88 mcg, 100 mcg, 112 mcg, 137 mcg, and 150 mcg, which helps fine-tune therapy. The medicine’s goal is steady hormone levels and stable symptoms.

Levothyroxine is absorbed in the small intestine and converted in tissues to triiodothyronine (T3). Consistent timing, separation from certain supplements, and dose checks support stable TSH.

Dosage and Usage

• Take Synthroid tablets once daily on an empty stomach, ideally 30–60 minutes before breakfast, with water.
• Keep dosing time consistent each day to reduce TSH swings.
• Separate tablet dosing from calcium, iron, magnesium, aluminum antacids, bile acid sequestrants, and orlistat by at least 4 hours.
• Common tablet strengths include 25, 50, 75, 88, 100, 112, 125, 137, and 150 mcg; the prescriber selects the exact strength or a combination.
• For initiation, clinicians often start low in older adults or in cardiac disease, then titrate every 4–6 weeks based on TSH and symptoms.
• Missed dose: take the missed tablet when remembered the same day; if close to the next dose, skip and resume the regular schedule. Do not double doses.
• Consistency matters: avoid switching brands or generics without discussing monitoring; if a switch occurs, recheck TSH in 6–8 weeks.
• Swallow whole. If allowed by your prescriber, the tablet may be crushed and mixed with a small amount of water for infants.

• Storage: keep at 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) in the original container, away from light and moisture.
• Do not store in bathrooms or near heat sources. Keep the bottle tightly closed.
• Travel: carry in original labeled bottle. Pack in a carry-on. Avoid extreme temperatures.
• If traveling across time zones, maintain 24-hour spacing between doses.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Benefits and Savings

When dosed correctly, Synthroid stabilizes TSH, supports normal energy, cognition, and mood, and may reduce goiter size over time. Tablets are small and color-coded by strength, which helps adherence. Many patients prefer the predictable potency of a single brand. If cost is a concern, the synthroid generic (levothyroxine) provides the same active ingredient and can reduce monthly spend.

Buying from a Canadian pharmacy often brings 60–80% savings compared with typical U.S. prices. This can be helpful if looking at synthroid cost without insurance. Multi-month supplies and occasional bulk promotions may lower the per-month cost further, and you can set gentle reorder reminders so you do not run out.

See current synthroid coupon options on our Promotions page.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common effects from overtreatment may include nervousness, palpitations, tremor, heat intolerance, sweating, diarrhea, insomnia, and weight loss.
• Headache, anxiety, or irritability can occur with dose changes.
• Hair thinning may appear transiently during early therapy.
• Allergic reactions to inactive ingredients are rare; report rash, swelling, or trouble breathing.

Serious risks are uncommon when dosing is individualized. Excess thyroid hormone over time may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation, angina, or reduced bone mineral density. Avoid using levothyroxine for weight loss. Correct adrenal insufficiency before starting therapy. People with diabetes may need adjustments to insulin or sulfonylureas as thyroid status changes; clinicians monitor glucose and A1C closely.

Onset Time

Some symptoms improve within 1–2 weeks after starting or adjusting therapy, such as fatigue or cold intolerance. TSH typically takes 6–8 weeks to reflect a new steady state, which is why labs are checked on that schedule. Goiter reduction can take months. After a stable dose is reached, monitoring is usually less frequent, unless clinical factors change.

Compare With Alternatives

Levothyroxine generic: The generic drug for synthroid contains the same active ingredient and dose options. Many patients do well on a consistent generic. If a switch occurs between products, a TSH recheck is usually planned to confirm stability. This option can lower the cost of synthroid while maintaining therapeutic goals.

Desiccated thyroid: Natural desiccated thyroid contains both T4 and T3. Some prefer it for symptom control, though T3 content can vary. If your prescriber recommends this route, you can review Thyroid Tablets for available strengths and pricing.

Other levothyroxine brands and formulations: Alternate brands or softgel/liquid forms may improve absorption when gastric conditions or excipients are concerns. If you want background on choices, see our guide What Is Synthroid A Simple Guide To Its Uses Benefits. For condition details, visit our Hypothyroidism page.

Combination Therapy

• Levothyroxine with liothyronine (T3) in select patients under specialist care; careful titration helps avoid symptoms of excess thyroid hormone.
• Dose reassessment when starting or stopping estrogen, androgens, or certain seizure medicines.
• Space levothyroxine from calcium, iron, and antacids by 4 hours to protect absorption.
• Proton pump inhibitors or H. pylori treatment may alter acid levels and affect absorption; monitoring guides dose choices.
• Pregnancy often requires a higher total daily dose; clinicians increase and monitor closely.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Synthroid medication is indicated for primary, secondary, or tertiary hypothyroidism, and for TSH suppression in thyroid cancer protocols. It is not for acute thyroiditis or uncorrected adrenal insufficiency. Care is taken in coronary artery disease and arrhythmias, with gradual titration. Pediatric and geriatric patients require age-appropriate dosing and monitoring.

If you are comparing the synthroid price without insurance, consider steady supply planning. Ordering 90 days at a time can reduce shipping cost per dose. Reorder reminders help keep therapy consistent. Brand-loyal patients can select Synthroid brand, while others may choose a levothyroxine generic to lower costs. Some shoppers look for a synthroid delivery program; ordering online with tracked shipping offers similar convenience.

Tablet strengths on our site include popular doses such as synthroid 50 mcg, synthroid 75 mcg, synthroid 88 mcg, synthroid 100 mcg, synthroid 112 mcg, synthroid 137 mcg, and synthroid 150 mcg. Your prescriber determines the right strength and timing.

Authoritative Sources

Manufacturer information for Synthroid (AbbVie)

Health Canada Drug Product Database

For an overview of thyroid disease, you can also read our article on Thyroid Disease and browse Thyroid Cancer and Goiter categories.

Order Synthroid® from YouDrugstore.com: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold-chain handling.

This content is educational and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s instructions and the product label.