Patient instructed Levothyroxine is a medication used to treat hypothyroidism. Labs will need to be drawn routinely to check effectiveness & dose may need to be changed. Patient instructed to take this medication 30min. before breakfast & all other meds. Swallow the tablet or capsule whole, with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. The tablet may dissolve very quickly and could swell in your throat. Avoid the following food products, which can make your body absorb less levothyroxine: grapefruit juice, infant soy formula, soybean flour, cotton seed meal, walnuts, and high-fiber foods.
SN instructed patient / caregiver regarding medication Levothyroxine. SN taught patient / caregiver that Levothyroxine is a replacement for a hormone that is normally produced by the thyroid gland to regulate the body's energy and metabolism. SN explained that Levothyroxine is given when the thyroid does not produce enough of this hormone on its own. SN explained that Levothyroxine treats hypothyroidism ( low thyroid hormone ). SN explained that Levothyroxine is also used to treat / prevent goiter. SN taught patient / caregiver about the side effects of this medication such as headache, insomnia, nervous or irritable feeling, fever, hot flashes, sweating, changes in your menstrual periods, appetite changes and weight changes. SN Instructed patient / caregiver to notify physician ( MD ) if experiencing persistent or worsening of side effects.
Instructed on the importance of undergoing examinations (e.g., thyroid test), at least yearly, to monitor effectiveness of therapy.
Instructed on the importance, when taking Levothyroxine, of not changing brands of thyroid preparations, as this may affect drug bioavailability.
Taught that, when taking Levothyroxine, if a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible.
Taught that, when taking Levothyroxine, if more than 2-3 doses are missed, physician and/or other health care provider should be notified about it.
Taught that, when taking Levothyroxine, dose should be withheld and physician or other health care provider notified if resting pulse is over 100 beats per minute.
Taught that Levothyroxine does not cure hypothyroidism; it just provides a thyroid hormone replacement and therapy is lifelong.
Taught that Levothyroxine is a hormone used as a replacement or substitution therapy in diminished or absent thyroid function of many causes.
Instructed on the importance of taking Levothyroxine as a single dose, preferably before breakfast, to prevent insomnia.
