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People who take thyroid hormones because their thyroid glands do not produce enough natural hormone may need to take the medicine for the rest of their lives. Seeing a physician regularly while taking this medicine is important. The physician will make sure that the medicine is working and that the dosage is correct.
In patients with certain kinds of heart disease, this medicine may cause chest pains and shortness of breath during exercise. People who have this problem should be careful not to exert themselves too much.
Anyone who is taking thyroid hormones should be sure to tell the health care professional in charge before having any surgical or dental procedures or receiving emergency treatment.
This medicine is safe to take during pregnancy,but the dosage may need to be changed. Women who are pregnant should check with their physicians to make sure they are taking the proper dosage.
Anyone who has had unusual reactions to thyroid hormones in the past should let his or her physician know before taking the drugs again. The physician should also be told about any allergies to foods, dyes, preservatives, or other substances.
Before using thyroid hormones, people with any of these medical problems should make sure their physicians are aware of their conditions:
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- hardening of the arteries
- diabetes
- history of overactive thyroid
- underactive adrenal gland
- underactive pituitary gland
— Nancy Ross-Flanigan
