Synthroid (levothyroxine) is safe to take while pregnant. Certain factors, including the risks of not treating your condition during pregnancy, may determine whether you should take the drug during this time.
Usually, if you’re already taking Synthroid, you’ll continue taking it during pregnancy. Research suggests that taking Synthroid during pregnancy doesn’t increase the risk of congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects) or pregnancy loss.
In fact, hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels), which Synthroid is used to treat, can be harmful during pregnancy. Not having enough thyroid hormone in your body can increase certain risks. These risks include pregnancy loss, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and premature delivery.
If you have a thyroid condition, it’s important that your doctor monitors your thyroid while you’re pregnant. Pregnancy may increase your thyroid hormone needs. In that case, you need to take more Synthroid than before your pregnancy. If needed during your pregnancy, your doctor can increase your dosage of Synthroid.
It’s not known whether Synthroid is safe to take while breastfeeding. Some studies have shown that the drug passes into breast milk.
If you’re taking Synthroid and considering breastfeeding, talk with your doctor. They can discuss with you the risks and benefits of breastfeeding while taking this drug.
In most cases, you’ll continue taking Synthroid during pregnancy if you were taking the drug before becoming pregnant.
However, if you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, it’s still important to talk with your doctor about your birth control needs. They’ll recommend whether you need to use birth control while you’re taking Synthroid.
Note that Synthroid may interact with certain birth control drugs. For more information about birth control drugs that may interact with Synthroid, see below.
Synthroid and certain birth control medications
Taking certain birth control drugs that contain estrogen may decrease the level of some hormones. This interaction can affect the level of Synthroid in your body.
Before starting Synthroid, talk with your doctor if you’re using birth control that contains estrogen. In some cases, your doctor may adjust your dosage of Synthroid. Or they may recommend that you use a different birth control option.
If you have questions about taking Synthroid and using birth control, talk with your doctor.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
