Jump to: What is levothyroxine? | What is Wegovy? | Why would you take Wegovy alongside levothyroxine? | Take home message
You can take Wegovy with levothyroxine (also known as L-thyroxine), as studies have shown the drugs are safe and effective when taken in combination.
Research combining Rybelsus (the same drug as Wegovy in tablet form) with levothyroxine suggested they can be administered safely without leading to a significant change in either drug’s effects.
While on Wegovy and levothyroxine, you must remain in close communication with your local healthcare team and prescribe pharmacists to monitor your body’s response to the medications.
People living with an underactive thyroid have a greater risk of developing obesity, so the combination of Wegovy and levothyroxine may support weight loss and help regulate metabolism.
What is levothyroxine?
Levothyroxine is a drug that mimics the naturally occurring thyroid hormone T4. It’s prescribed for people living with an underactive thyroid to help regulate metabolism, core body temperature, and energy levels.
Levothyroxine is an oral medication and is typically taken once daily on an empty stomach.
The thyroid gland is an organ at the front of your neck. The primary function of the thyroid gland is to produce and release two hormones:
- Thyroxine (T4)
- Triiodothyronine (T3)
These two hormones regulate our metabolism, energy levels, and core body temperature.
People living with an underactive thyroid struggle to produce and release these hormones and are prescribed synthetic versions of them to help maintain normal metabolism, energy levels, and core body temperature.
As T4 and T3 help regulate our metabolism, people living with an underactive thyroid may be more likely to develop obesity.
Observational research suggests people living with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) have an 86% higher relative risk of developing obesity compared to those not living with the condition.
This increased risk of developing obesity for those living with hypothyroidism is one reason why you may also be prescribed Wegovy alongside levothyroxine.
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is a dual-action weight-loss injection that mimics hormones in the body that helps us feel fuller and lose weight.
The drug in Wegovy is semaglutide, which is a synthetic mimic of the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1.
GLP-1 is a hormone released by the gut after we eat to help us feel full and manage our blood sugar levels.
Wegovy is a long-acting medication injected once a week. It takes 4-5 weeks for the drug to reach a steady state in the body, where the levels in the blood remain consistent and the drug’s effects become more pronounced.
Research suggests Wegovy supports weight loss of around 16% after one year, which is around 10% more weight loss than another well-known weight-loss injection, Saxenda.
Why would you take Wegovy alongside levothyroxine?
There’s potential for levothyroxine and Wegovy to play a complementary role in supporting people living with obesity and underactive thyroid to achieve lasting weight loss.
While levothyroxine is a hormone replacement therapy to help recover some of the loss of function of the thyroid gland, it may not be a sufficient boost to your metabolism to aid weight loss in the long term.
Wegovy could enable you to eat at a sustained calorie deficit, supporting long-term weight loss.
Here are some things to consider when taking levothyroxine with Wegovy:
- You should consult your GP or pharmacist before taking Wegovy with levothyroxine
- Your GP should monitor your thyroid parameters regularly when taking both medications
- Your levothyroxine dose may change if you lose weight on Wegovy, as losing body fat can alter our metabolism. Your GP will monitor this and react accordingly.
- Be mindful of side effects as you increase your dose of Wegovy and report your side effects to your GP or prescribing pharmacist so they can continue to monitor your progress
If you’re signing up for Second Nature’s Wegovy programme, this will be discussed and confirmed with the clinical team, but in general, if you’re taking levothyroxine, you will be able to take Wegovy.
If you do start taking levothyroxine with Wegovy, we recommend letting your GP or local pharmacist know.
Take home message
There’s potential for levothyroxine and Wegovy to play a complementary role in supporting people living with obesity and underactive thyroid to achieve lasting weight loss.
Most people taking levothyroxine will be eligible for Wegovy. Still, if you start taking Wegovy, it’ll be very important to inform your GP so they’re aware, monitor your progress, and adjust any future levothyroxine doses if needed.
Research combining semaglutide (the drug in Wegovy) with levothyroxine suggests they can be administered together without significantly impacting the drug’s effects.
Second Nature has launched a Wegovy weight-loss programme aimed at helping people develop the healthy habits they need to lose weight and keep it off in the long term.
If you’d like to see if you’re eligible for our Wegovy programme, click here to take our health quiz.
