History

    Before the1890's there were no cures or treatments for people with thyroid disorders. Around the late 1890's doctors began giving patients the only treatment they could find that would work: ground up, dried, powdered crushed animal thyroid glands available in tablets. 

These tablets contained what all thyroid glands contain: Two special hormones called levothyroxine (T₄ ) and triiodothyronine (T₃ ). These hormones are very important to the human body. They are responsible for a large part of the body's metabolism and metabolic rate, as well as growth in children.

In 1958, the first synthetic (man-made) levothyroxine tablets were sold in the US to treat hypothyroid patients.

The FDA laws didn't apply until after this medicine was marketed. Therefore meaning that there are no FDA requirements this medicine has to pass except that each pill must contain between 90%-110% of the stated chemical content (levothyroxine).

    Availability: How do I get this drug?

This drug is available by prescription only. If your doctor tells you that you have hyporthyroidism or Hashimoto's thyroiditis, you may receive this drug. Depending on how much of the hormone you need replaced, the doctor will prescribe different dosages. Again, depending on the brand of levothyroxine sodium they give you, the dosages sizes vary, normally from 25mg to 300mg.