What to do if you can’t remember taking your thyroid pill? (7+ side effects of double dosing)

In this article, we will discuss what you should do if you can’t remember whether you have taken your thyroid pill. We will also discuss the potential side effects associated with double-dosing and will discuss some tips to prevent this from happening.

What to do if you can’t remember taking your thyroid pill?

If you can’t remember whether you have taken your thyroid pill (Levothyroxine), there are a few things you can try:

• Check your pillbox or pill organiser if you keep one.
• Check the prescription bottle if it’s moved from where you usually keep it.
• Ask a family member who lives with you whether they saw you taking your thyroid pill.
• If you’re uncertain, do not take an extra pill to make up for it. This can lead to overmedication.
• Call your doctor or pharmacist for guidance if you’re confused.

It’s not uncommon for people to forget to take their medications, which can affect their therapeutic goals. Thyroid medication is typically meant to be taken on an empty stomach (1,2). You can make it a part of your morning routine, like brushing your teeth or having breakfast. 

If you ever find yourself unsure whether you’ve already taken your medication, it’s essential not to take an additional tablet. Thyroid medication is usually prescribed in micrograms, and taking a double dose can lead to unwanted side effects. 

Therefore, it’s crucial not to take an extra dose due to forgetfulness. In such a case, it’s safer to miss a dose than to double up on it. However, you need to make sure that this doesn’t happen frequently. 

What are the potential risks of taking your thyroid medication twice?

Taking your thyroid medication twice can increase the risk of Levothyroxine-induced side effects, including: (3)

• Fever
• Headache
• Menstrual irregularities
• Hair loss
• Changes in weight
• Changes in appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Heat sensitivity 
• Joint pain

These side effects can vary from person to person and can depend on an individual’s tolerance to an extra dose of Levothyroxine. Although taking an extra dose should not cause dangerous side effects, you should reach out to your doctor if you feel unusual. 

How to always remember to take your thyroid medication on time?

There are several ways that can help you remember to take your thyroid medication on time. These include:

• Incorporate taking your thyroid medication into your morning routine so that it becomes a habit.

• Purchase a pill box to keep your medication organised and easily visible (4).

• If you enjoy journaling, consider keeping a medication journal to track when you’ve taken your thyroid medication.

• Use alarms or reminders on your phone or another device to ensure you never forget to take your medication on time.

• There are smartphone apps designed to remind you to take your medication. You can set up multiple alarms, and some apps even provide a history of your medication adherence (5).

• Place your medication bottle or pill organiser somewhere you’ll see it every morning, like next to your toothbrush.

• Let someone close to you know about your medication schedule. They can remind you if you happen to forget.

These are a few ways that can help you never miss your medications again. Remember, proper use of medication is an important key to making the most out of them.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed what you should do if you can’t remember whether you have taken your thyroid pill. We have also discussed the potential side effects of taking your thyroid medication twice and some tips that can help you remember to always take your meds on time.

References