{"id":49588,"date":"2022-03-10T08:35:17","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T13:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=49588"},"modified":"2025-10-03T11:50:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T15:50:09","slug":"levothyroxine-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/levothyroxine-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Levothyroxine alternatives: Thyroid treatment options explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

Levothyroxine<\/span><\/a> is a commonly prescribed drug for an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and is also used to suppress thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in conditions like <\/span>thyroid cancer<\/span><\/a>. For many people, it works well, but some may experience side effects, trouble absorbing it, or allergies to the ingredients. A healthcare provider may suggest another option, including other prescription thyroid drugs and natural thyroid products.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What can I take in place of levothyroxine?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Levothyroxine is a synthetic version of thyroxine (T4), one of the main hormones made by the thyroid gland. Once in the body, T4 is converted into triiodothyronine (T3), which is the more <\/span>active thyroid hormone<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

If levothyroxine isn\u2019t the right option, there are other choices. Some alternatives provide T4 alone, others provide T3, and some contain a mix of both hormones. These can be either synthetic products or natural thyroid hormone products.<\/span><\/p>\n

Desiccated thyroid brands<\/span><\/h3>\n

Armour Thyroid<\/span><\/a> is a popular brand name for desiccated thyroid made from <\/span>dried porcine (pig) thyroid glands<\/span><\/a>. It contains both T4 and T3, the main hormones produced by the thyroid, and can be used to treat the same conditions as levothyroxine, such as hypothyroidism.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another option is <\/span>NP Thyroid<\/span><\/a>, which is also made from porcine thyroid glands and contains both T4 and T3. Like Armour Thyroid, NP Thyroid is sometimes used by people whose symptoms don\u2019t improve with just levothyroxine. The main difference between NP thyroid and Armour Thyroid is in their inactive ingredients.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some people may <\/span>feel better<\/span><\/a> on natural thyroid extract than levothyroxine, though it may cause more side effects like palpitations or anxiety. Armour and NP Thyroid <\/span>aren\u2019t approved by the FDA<\/span><\/a> but are available by prescription and sometimes recommended by healthcare providers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cytomel (liothyronine)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Cytomel<\/span><\/a> is the brand name of liothyronine, a synthetic form of the T3 thyroid hormone. Unlike levothyroxine, which contains T4 that the body needs to convert to T3, Cytomel skips a step to provide T3 directly.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, it\u2019s <\/span>absorbed faster<\/span><\/a> and can increase hormone levels faster than levothyroxine, which could increase the chance of side effects if it’s not taken as prescribed. Regular thyroid tests may be needed to check levels during treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cytomel can be an effective thyroid hormone replacement drug, especially in people who don\u2019t respond well to T4 alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Combination treatment (levothyroxine and liothyronine)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some healthcare providers prescribe levothyroxine and liothyronine together to better mimic natural thyroid hormone levels. This combination may be helpful for those who continue to have symptoms on levothyroxine alone, even with normal lab results. One study in thyroid cancer patients found that combination therapy was safe and worked about as well as levothyroxine alone, with some evidence it may even <\/span>benefit heart function<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Synthroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid, Tirosint, or other brand names<\/span><\/h3>\n

Levothyroxine is sold under several brand names, including Synthroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid, and Tirosint. All of these are approved to treat hypothyroidism and may also be used for TSH suppression in <\/span>conditions<\/span><\/a> like thyroid nodules, goiter, or thyroid cancer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These brand-name drugs contain the same active ingredient as generic levothyroxine and work in the same way. The main difference is in the inactive ingredients, which can affect how well a person tolerates one product compared to another.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tirosint<\/span><\/a> differs from other brands because it comes as a liquid gel capsule without dyes or fillers, which can make it a good option for people with allergies or sensitivities to inactive ingredients.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other alternatives to levothyroxine<\/span><\/h3>\n