What is Levothyroxine commonly prescribed for?

Levothyroxine is commonly prescribed for hypothyroidism, which is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. These hormones are crucial for regulating various metabolic processes in the body, including growth and energy expenditure.

When a patient has hypothyroidism, they may experience symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and depression due to the lack of these hormones. Levothyroxine acts as a synthetic thyroid hormone replacement, helping to restore normal hormone levels and alleviate the symptoms associated with the condition.

Prescribing levothyroxine is a standard treatment to help normalize the thyroid hormone levels, thus effectively managing hypothyroidism and improving the patient's overall health and quality of life. This medication does not treat conditions like asthma, thyroid cancer, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, making it essential for healthcare providers to properly diagnose and prescribe it specifically for hypothyroidism.