Synthroid is a alternate for a hormone that is normally produced by your thyroid gland to regulate the body's energy and metabolism. Levothyroxine (generic Synthroid) is taken when the thyroid does not produce enough its own hormone.
Levothyroxine treats hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone). Synthroid is also used to treat or avert goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), which can be caused by hormone imbalances, surgery, radiation treatment, or cancer.
Levothyroxine should not be used to treat obesity or some weight problems.
Since thyroid hormone happens naturally in the body, almost anyone can take levothyroxine. Patient should not use this drug if you have had a heart attack, an adrenal gland problem that is not controlled by treatment, or a thyroid disorder called thyrotoxicosis.