Hypothyroidism Treatment Cost

Typical costs:

• For patients covered by health insurance, the typical cost of hypothyroidism treatment will include doctor copays and prescription drug copays. Hypothyroidism treatment typically is covered by health insurance.
• For patients not covered by health insurance, hypothyroid treatment typically costs $15-$100 per month -- or $180-$1,200 per year -- for the synthetic thyroid hormone typically prescribed. For example, Drugstore.com charges about $15-$20, depending on the dose, for a one-month supply of the brand-name drug Levothroid, or $25-$45 for a one-month supply of the brand-name drug Synthroid. Drugstore.com charges up to $100 or more for a one-month supply, depending on dosage, of the brand-name drug Cytomel. Many doctors do not recommend generic levothyroxine because potency can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and there is no way to make sure the patient gets the generic drug from the same manufacturer each time; changing potency can cause side effects ranging from a high heart rate or dizziness, if the patient gets too much of the drug, to exhaustion or depression, if the patient gets too little.

• The doctor typically will prescribe the hormone levothyroxine[1] , which is typically taken orally every day. Brand names include Synthroid[2] and Levothroid[3] . Within a few weeks, symptoms should begin to lessen. In some cases, a doctor might prescribe another drug, such as liothyronine sodium (brand name Cytomel).
• After a few months of treatment, the doctor typically will perform follow-up thyroid tests to make sure the dosage is correct. In many cases, the doctor will make changes to the dosage once or more, depending on the test results. Patients typically must take this medication for life.
• The Mayo Clinic offers an overview of hypothyroid treatment[4] .

• Patients with hypothyroidism should visit the doctor regularly for follow-up and monitoring as often as the doctor recommends.

• Some clinics offer specialist care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a locator for clinics[5] that provide discounts on an income-based sliding scale.
• Many doctors and hospitals give discounts of up to 30% or more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. For example, Washington Hospital Healthcare System[6] in California offers a 35% discount.
• Some drug manufacturers offer free or discounted medicines to patients in need. For example, Abbott Laboratories[7] , the maker of Synthroid, has a patient assistance program.

• A primary care physician can make a referral to an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating problems with the endocrine system. Or, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists offers a doctor locator[8] by city and state. To help patients find an endocrinologist who focuses on thyroid problems, the American Thyroid Association offers a thyroid specialist locator[9] by state.

1.  www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682461.html
2.  www.synthroid.com/
3.  www.levothroid.com/
4.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothyroidism/DS00353/DSECTION=treatments%2Dand%2Ddrugs
5.  findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
6.  www.whhs.com/about/washington-hospital-discount-policy-for-uninsured/
7.  www.abbviepaf.org
8.  /www.aace.com/resources/find-an-endocrinologist
9.  www.thyroid.org/patient-thyroid-information/endocrinology-thyroid-doctor/

Check Out All Costs for Health & Personal Care		How Much Does Growing Medical Marijuana Outdoors Cost?		How Much Do Crutches Cost?		How Much Do Eyeglasses Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

April is craft month. We have the cost of scrapbooking and other crafts. Looking for help to take care of your garden? How much does garden service cost. If you want a spring or summer wedding, now is the time to pin down the location. A BBQ grill could be handy to enjoy backyard activities during the summer months. Spring has sprung. Are you thinking about allergy shots?

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

Didn't hurt the pocketbook Paid: 43.00 I called my dentist because my tooth had been hurting for a week and a half. I couldn't eat or sleep. It was horrible. They got me in the next day. The dental surgeon and staff took x-rays, verified that it indeed needed to come out... [more] -Anxious in Augusta Tooth Extraction Cost Current cost of skirting job 2022 Paid: 2356.00 Purchased material @ mobile home supply store Front/back top trim & ground track 17 each [email protected]$9= $459. 48 [email protected]$17= $816. [email protected]$40 [email protected] $20 tax $121. Total material $1456. 3 guys total $75 hour labor at 12 hours $900 labor... [more] -Fayard siding Mobile Home Skirting Cost Alatel joy tab2 Paid: 108.00 Cracked screen... [more] -Shawn P Speers Tablet Repair Cost Replace 2baths, laundry, and kitchen to the street Paid: 20000.00 Numerous breaks in 90 year old cast iron and also in the clay pipe. replaced with 4" schedule 40 ABS to the curb and then liner in the clay pipe to the city sewer... [more] -Steve in 2022 Sewer Line Replacement Cost Full mouth -Is this estimate too much? Paid: 16945.00 Extract buttom front teeth, replace with single implant for both teeth. Root canals and crowns needed for 3 molars, fillings needed on 11 teeth. Deep cleaning with 4 spots of Arestin and fluoride treatment. All under IV sedation... [more] -Shanmarspag Dental Work Cost Lockout at front door Paid: 175.00 I was quoted $29 for a service call. The techniciandidn't give me a price but went ahead with the repair. It took about 10 minutes. Then he told me the charge was because the owner of the business gets most of the money I paid... [more] -Carla Axelrod Locksmith Cost