Patient/caregiver was educated on the precautions to be observed while taking synthroid as follows:
- Observe compliance with periodical lab draws ordered, for evaluation of the thyroid hormone levels in the blood.
- Your physician could change the dose of synthroid, based on the lab results for thyroid hormone evaluation, relief obtained from symptoms of hypothyroidism, or side-effects developed. So, maintain compliance with follow-up physician appointments, as scheduled. Be accommodative to the plan of frequent dose changes, until you show an optimum response.
- This medication will be slow to act and could take a few weeks to adjust to your blood levels and produce the desired effect.
- Synthroid is usually prescribed for life. Do not discontinue taking synthroid without consulting your doctor, even if you fail to see the benefit of the medication. Discontinuing the medication abruptly, without physician recommendation, can lead to recurrence of symptoms of hypothyroidism.
- If a dose is missed, it should be taken at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, the missed dose can be skipped. Compensating for the missed dose by taking an extra dose can pose serious risk for toxicity and side-effects.
