Exact Answer: 7 days
Nobody should stop taking thyroid medication, as it may increase the hypothyroid symptoms inside the body. The type and severity of thyroid would predict the time for how long the person can stay without thyroid medication. Not taking thyroid medication would result in a low mood.
The mental health of the person would get highly affected if the person skips taking the thyroid medication. The levothyroxine’s half-life is around one week, and the effects may stay for around 3 to 4 weeks. Therefore, the person may not see any change in the body for around 1 or 2 weeks.
Sometimes, the hypothyroid symptoms would not come easily as the effects of the medication may stay for some weeks. After the effects of the previous medication are over, the person would start seeing difficulty managing symptoms of thyroid.
Sometimes, the symptoms would not get stabilized easily and the patient may have to suffer from huge physical and mental pain.
How Long Can You Go Without Thyroid Medication?
| Thyroid Medication | Time |
| In Weeks | 1 week |
| In days | 7 days |
People who have severe thyroid problems would not go for more than 1 day without the medication. People with mild thyroid may go for 1 to 2 weeks without the medication. If the person is physically fine, then they may stay healthy without thyroid medication for around 2 to 3 weeks.
Some people may not see the symptoms of hypothyroid for around 4 weeks if they are healthy and have mild thyroid. The hypothyroid symptoms never come within a few hours. The person would slowly start feeling the hypothyroidism symptoms which would get severe with time.
People who have hypothyroid would see more repercussions after skipping the thyroid medication than those with hyperthyroidism. People who are following a specific diet for treating the thyroid may stay without medication for around 2 to 4 weeks.
The person’s health condition and issues would affect the exact time for which the person can stay without medication. People who have other hidden health issues may have to take the medicines regularly to avoid the symptoms of hypothyroid. People who take thyroid medicine regularly may stay without medication for around 4 weeks.
Some people who have severe thyroid issues may see the issue of myxedema crisis. Myxedema crisis is extremely dangerous which can be life-threatening for poeple.
The swelling of the body is a big sign of getting myxedema crisis. Many people may see symptoms such as confusion, difficulty in breathing, and hyponatremia after having a myxedema crisis.
Why Can You Go Without Thyroid Medication For This Long?
The effects of previous thyroid medicine depend on how long people can stay healthy without thyroid medication. Many people can’t stay without thyroid medication for 1 or 2 days if they are pregnant. Pregnant or breastfeeding women are at a higher chance of getting a myxedema crisis if they skip thyroid medicine.
People who have inflammation or bloating issues may also see serious symptoms after skipping the thyroid medication for a long time. Thyroid medicine is extremely vital for people as it would help in the proper function of the body. If someone skips taking thyroid medicine for more than one week, then the person may see the risk of heart disease.
Taking thyroid medicine is important for maintaining skin, and cardiovascular health. The blood circulation may also get affected if someone skips taking thyroid medication for a long time. Generally, people won’t see any symptoms if they skip just one dose of thyroid medication in a day.
The muscles strength, body weight, and heart rate may get affected if the person won’t resume the thyroid medication at the earliest. It’s always recommended to see an expert, professional, or doctor if someone sees any symptoms after skipping the thyroid medication.
People who have mental disorders may see huge problems after skipping thyroid medication.
Conclusion
The person’s health would have a huge role in predicting how long they can stay without a thyroid medication. Some people would be able to stay healthy or without any thyroid symptoms for around 2 to 4 weeks. Everyone should try to take thyroid medicine on time if they have severe thyroid.
People with mild thyroid should try to continuously take the medication to reduce the symptoms of hypothyroid. If somebody sees any mild symptoms of the thyroid, then they may start taking medication at the earliest to not make the symptoms more severe.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673603124889
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/485355
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