apollo
  • female
  • 45 Years
  • 29/01/2025

Question

Hey, so I've got hypothyroidism and I'm on levothyroxine, taking 100mcg a day. I've been wondering about what might happen if I accidentally took 2 or 3 pills one day. Is there a risk of something really serious happening, like dying from taking too much? I get a bit anxious because sometimes I forget if I've already taken my dose for the day, and I've always been curious about just how dangerous it is like, how much would it take for it to be really harmful?

Doctor 1

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Taking more than the prescribed dose of levothyroxine can lead to symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as palpitations, weight loss, and irritability. In severe cases, it can lead to complications like cardiac arrhythmias or osteoporosis. However, it is unlikely to be fatal unless extremely high doses are ingested. It is important to take your medication as prescribed and if you are unsure whether you have taken your dose for the day, it is best to skip it rather than double or triple the dose. If you are frequently forgetting whether you have taken your medication, you may want to consider using a pill organizer to help keep track.

Dr. Ibrahim Suggests...

Consult a Endocrinologist

Answered 04/07/2025

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If you accidentally take 2 or 3 pills of your levothyroxine (100 mcg each) in one day, here are the key points to understand:

  1. Short-term risk: A one-time extra dose is unlikely to cause serious harm or be life-threatening. Your body can often tolerate a small overdose without severe effects.

  2. Possible symptoms: You might experience mild symptoms like increased heart rate, feeling jittery, sweating, or nervousness. These symptoms usually resolve as the extra hormone is processed.

  3. When to seek help: If you notice severe symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, severe tremors, confusion, or shortness of breath, seek medical attention promptly.

  4. Long-term risk: Repeated overdosing can lead to serious problems like heart issues or bone thinning, but a single extra dose is generally not dangerous.

  5. What to do now: Contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist to inform them about the extra dose. They can advise if any monitoring or action is needed.

  6. Prevention: To avoid future mistakes, consider using a pill organizer or setting reminders.

In summary, while taking 2 or 3 pills accidentally is not ideal, it is unlikely to cause life-threatening problems if it happens once. Stay observant for any unusual symptoms and consult your doctor if concerned. Your safety is important, and your healthcare team is there to support you.

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Consult a Endocrinologist

Answered 19 days ago

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