Stopping thyroid medication suddenly isn’t a sensible idea. Not taking your medication can lead to both short and long-term effects which are avoidable. While some of the effects that you experience by stopping thyroid medication suddenly will be evident from the early days of stopping, some can be much harder to identify as issues from stopping the medication, or can even remain hidden for years.

Effects of stopping or skipping thyroid medication with hypothyroidism

If you have hypothyroidism and take replacement thyroid hormones as a result, then missing or stopping your medication can be risky. You may experience:

• Irregularities or problems with your blood pressure.
• Increased cholesterol which can increase your risk of heart disease (bear in mind that this type of elevated cholesterol may also be treatment-resistant).
• Feeling excessively cold and struggling to warm up.
• Tiredness, exhaustion and fatigue.
• Joint and muscle pain and weakness.
• Low mood and depression.
• Cognitive difficulties, including memory problems.
• Weight gain and the inability to lose weight.
• Constipation.
• Menstrual problems and disruptions.
• Reproductive concerns including miscarriage, stillbirth and preterm labor, as well as infertility.
• Lowered libido.
• Hair loss.
• Swelling and puffiness of the face, hands and feet.
• Goiter growth.
• Increased susceptibility to infection.

None of these effects are safe or pleasant. However, specifically, if you continue to be without replacement thyroid hormones for a long time them you may ultimately experience myxedema coma which is potentially fatal.

If you have hypothyroidism because you had treatment for thyroid cancer then unfortunately stopping your medication can actually increase your risk of the cancer returning.

Effects of stopping or skipping thyroid medication with hyperthyroidism

If you are taking thyroid medication, such as methimazole or propylthiouracil, to regulate or reduce thyroid hormone production, then you may also face dangerous effects if you stop your thyroid medication. These include:

• Extreme weight loss.
• Excessive thirst and appetite.
• Uncontrollable anxiety and panic attacks.
• Excessive sweating and heat intolerance.
• Fatigue and tiredness.
• Muscle weakness.
• Tremors and shakes.
• Gastric problems including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
• Menstrual disturbances.
• Goiter growth.
• Inability to sleep.
• Tachycardia – fast heart rate.
• High blood pressure.
• Uncomfortable itching.
• Hair loss.
• Protruding eyes.

In addition, untreated hyperthyroidism – which is what happens when you stop taking your medication – may increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Additionally, not taking hyperthyroidism medication may lead to a condition called a thyroid storm which is often fatal.

Why do you want to stop taking your thyroid medication?

As you can see from the above, taking your thyroid medication, whether for hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, is extremely important. However, at times you may question the benefits, or may find it difficult to obtain your medication for various reasons. Let’s look at some of those reasons and possible solutions to ensure you stay well:

·You’re not feeling any better

If you’re new to taking thyroid medication and you don’t yet feel any better, it’s important to realize that thyroid medications can take a long time to produce benefits. It can take several weeks until you start actually feeling better. It also takes a while to get the dose correct when you first start taking medication, so you may need a dose review, rather than stopping it. Furthermore, if you have borderline or subclinical thyroid, then you may not notice the damage being done by an underactive thyroid. Just because you can’t feel the effects, doesn’t mean that you aren’t storing up problems for the future.

·You’ve got new or worse symptoms

Thyroid medication is for life. But the dosage might not stay the same forever. Additionally, people with thyroid disease often live with symptoms for years before getting diagnosed and receiving treatment. As such, you’ve likely adjusted in many ways to those symptoms and changes can feel unsettling e.g. appetite changes and weight gain.

The solution is to discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider and discover if you need a dose adjustment or maybe need to try a different medication.

·You’re worried about side effects

It’s normal to worry about taking a medication in the long-term and society tells us that a lifetime of medication is dangerous. However, with thyroid medication, the risks of serious side effects are incredibly small, whereas the risks of not taking it are considerably higher. Your doctor will have gone through a risk-benefit analysis of you taking the medication.

If you’re worried about taking synthetic hormones then you can always try natural thyroid medications instead. If, however, you are vegan or vegetarian and want to avoid porcine thyroid medications then you may feel happier with synthetic medications like levothyroxine. Remember, this medication is actually keeping you alive.

·You’re worried about the cost or availability

Payment costs and ease of sourcing medication varies according to country. Did you know that you can buy your own thyroid medication from the US through International Pharmacy at competitive cost?

·You forget to take your pills regularly

Always take your tablets at the same time each day, attaching it to a concrete part of your existing routine, such as your morning drink. Use a phone alarm and a pill organizer box to help you remember.

It’s really important that you feel empowered about and fully involved in your own healthcare, particularly when it comes to lifelong conditions like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Make sure that you really understand your particular condition and why taking thyroid medication is important. This will help you to feel in control.

Also be honest with your healthcare practitioner about any side effects that you are experiencing and any problems you’re having. They are there to help you learn to manage your condition. Discuss your concerns and try to find solutions rather than simply stopping thyroid medication suddenly and putting your health at risk.

A word from International Pharmacy

Appropriate medication is needed to treat thyroid disorders and disease. Most people find that this is helpful for them. But getting used to long-term medication and a lifelong condition is complex. Bear in mind that the above information is for guidance only and we strongly recommend that you discuss all of your concerns with your doctor.