Levothyroxine Teaching 2320
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.
Reviewed September 2018
Reviewed for general reference only. Adapt to your patient, agency policy, and scope of practice.
Related teachings
Levothyroxine Teaching 887Taught that Levothyroxine is a hormone used as a replacement or substitution therapy in diminished or absent thyroid function of many causes.Levothyroxine Teaching 884Taught that, when taking Levothyroxine, if more than 2-3 doses are missed, physician and/or other health care provider should be notified about it.Levothyroxine Teaching 881Instructed on the importance of undergoing examinations (e.g., thyroid test), at least yearly, to monitor effectiveness of therapy.Levothyroxine Teaching 888Instructed on the importance of taking Levothyroxine as a single dose, preferably before breakfast, to prevent insomnia.