fbpx
Temporary Address: 21803 N Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85255, Suite 200

How to Wean off Thyroid Medication

Dr. Linda Khoshaba

January 16, 2023

Have you been on thyroid medication for years? Wanting to wean off? Unsure of whether or not you can just, stop cold turkey? Well hopefully, we can provide you with some insight so you can discuss your options with your Physician.

Why do some patients wean off mediation?

Some patients want to come off thyroid medicine for a variety of reasons. Depending on the thyroid medication someone is on, there may be some long-term adverse side effects. For example, some research shows that long-term use of high-dose Synthroid or levothyroxine (T4) could increase the risk of fracture incidence and osteoporosis.

Some people find it daunting to have to take medicine for the rest of their lives. Patients may have other reasons for wanting to stop taking thyroid medication; however, it must always be done as a wean and never discontinued cold turkey. Discontinuing your thyroid medicine cold turkey could lead to undesirable side effects, including changes in blood pressure and heart rate and significant fatigue.

What are the side effects of weaning off thyroid medication?

A person weighing on a scale: How to wean off thyroid medication

Suddenly stopping your thyroid medicine may cause rapid weight gain, delayed reflexes, hair loss, dry skin and brittle nails. Sudden discontinuation of thyroid medicine could also cause a shock to the thyroid, making it more challenging for your thyroid to work efficiently on its own and produce thyroid hormone. 

Depending on the dose and type of medication you are on, you may discuss options to wean off your thyroid medicine with your Physician. Your Physician will have to closely monitor your thyroid levels if you wean off your medication to ensure your thyroid is still efficiently producing thyroid hormone. Your Physician can do this by assessing your Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Free T3, and Free T4.

How does your physician help you wean off thyroid medication?

Each physician will have a unique way of weaning your thyroid medicine, but with any medication wean, the slower, the better, in our opinion. The slower the wean, the more support your thyroid has to start functioning independently and producing hormones. 

So let’s say, for example, you’re taking Levothyroxine (T4) 50 mcg. Depending on your thyroid blood tests (TSH, FT3, and FT4), we might consider reducing your thyroid medicine to alternating 50 mcg with 25 mcg for 4 weeks. After those 4 weeks or so, it would be prudent to re-check your thyroid blood tests.

If your physician thinks your thyroid levels are within the normal range, then you may further reduce your medicine to 25 mcg for another 4 weeks. The process would proceed slowly while rechecking your thyroid labs are you decrease your medicine. 

Given that there are some hidden causes of hypothyroidism, like certain infections and nutrient deficiencies that may cause sluggish thyroid function, you may want to ask your physician to assess these other etiologies so that you can support your thyroid on all fronts. 

Some common places to look may be assessed for an infection, like Helicobacter pylori or Epstein Barr Virus. Even more recently, there have been links correlating COVID-19 infection with thyroid function.

You can also ask your physician to look at nutrient status, including iron (you can check iron, but also be sure to check ferritin). Ferritin is how much iron you’re able to store. You also want to ask your Physician to check your zinc levels, selenium, vitamin C, and urinary iodine.

By testing your nutrient status and for possible infections, you’re able to address potential root causes of your thyroid dysfunction. Even if you can’t fully discontinue thyroid medicine, addressing potential etiologies that may be impacting your thyroid could allow you to decrease the amount of thyroid medication you are on. 

How to wean off thyroid medication

Take the first step towards getting your thyroid back on track:

Explore more

February 6, 2023
The Best Vitamins for Thyroid Disease

Various supplements and vitamins can be taken when it comes to thyroid disease. This is certainly not a one-size fits all picture. While the web can be a source of an immense amount of information, with that comes a lot of misinformation. When we consider vitamins for thyroid disease, the first question we must ask […]

READ MORE
February 6, 2023
Is Ginger Good for Hyperthyroidism?

Ever tried that spicy but slightly sweet and pungent ginger root? Well, this herb not only adds a pleasant flavor to some of your favorite dishes but actually has many unbelievable health benefits! It has been used by many different cultures for centuries for its medical properties.  For starters - what exactly is ginger? Ginger, […]

READ MORE
February 6, 2023
Does Fasting Hurt Your Thyroid?

Is intermittent fasting getting the buzz? Feel like you need to follow the latest trend when it comes to diet? Have you been hearing about all the health benefits of fasting and feel like you don’t want to miss out? Well... ever heard the phrase, “One man’s medicine is another man’s poison?” When it comes […]

READ MORE
February 6, 2023
How to Boost Your Metabolism

Recommended Daily Amount of Protein, Vegetables, and Fruit MEN Protein Vegetables Fruit 19-30 yrs 6.5 to 7 ounces 2 to 2.5 cups 2 to 2.5 cups 31-59 yrs 6 to 7 ounces 2 to 2.5 cups 2 to 2.5 cups 60+ yrs 5.5 to 6.5 ounces 2 cups 2 cups WOMEN Protein Vegetables Fruit 19-30 […]

READ MORE
Dr. Linda Khoshaba is the Leading Integrative Health and Hormone Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona. She has extensive experience working in the field as a Hormone Specialist and Natural Endocrinologist.

21803 N Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale, 
AZ 85255, Suite 200
Copyright © 2023 Natural Endocrinology Specialists. All Rights Reserved.
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram