Table of Contents

I. Synthroid Cost Without Insurance

II. Synthroid Cost with Insurance

III. Alternatives to Synthroid

i. Synthroid vs. Levothyroxine

ii. Liothyronine vs Levothyroxine

IV. Conclusion

If you have hypothyroidism, you know that treatment is often life-long and requires daily medication to properly regulate your thyroid hormone levels. The most common medication for hypothyroidism is Synthroid, a synthetic thyroid hormone replacement.

While Synthroid is considered the first-line treatment for hypothyroidism, [1] its long-term use and frequent dosage adjustments can make it expensive. Fortunately, there are several ways to lower your costs for Synthroid.

In this article, we will discuss the cost of Synthroid with and without insurance, the option to purchase generic Synthroid, and alternative treatments for hypothyroidism.

Synthroid Cost Without Insurance

At a U.S. retail pharmacy, a 30-day supply of 88 mcg Synthroid tablets costs around $47, or almost $2 per tablet. For patients taking this dose, the annual cost is approximately $564.

The table below shows the comparative annual costs of several common Synthroid dosages at a U.S. pharmacy versus purchasing the medication online through an online Canadian pharmacy.

⁺Based on CVS Pharmacy #08898

As shown in the table, filling Synthroid prescriptions through an online Canadian pharmacy like Canadian Med Center reduces the annual cost by over 50% compared to a U.S. retail pharmacy.

This significant savings is made possible because prescription drug prices in Canada are regulated by the government to keep medications affordable. [2] When ordered from an online Canadian pharmacy, these lower drug costs can be passed on to American consumers. For those requiring lifelong thyroid hormone replacement, accessing medication this way provides substantial financial relief.

Synthroid Cost with Insurance

If your doctor has prescribed Synthroid, you may be surprised to find that your Medicare coverage doesn't help much with the cost. That's because Synthroid is a relatively inexpensive medication. With many Medicare plans, you must meet a deductible before coverage kicks in. If your deductible is high, and Synthroid is the only prescription you have, you could end up paying the full cost for Synthroid every month.

According to a recent article in The Washington Post, using insurance to pay for inexpensive prescriptions can sometimes cost you more than just paying cash. The article recommends looking into paying cash prices, especially if you take the medication on an ongoing basis. [3]

Paying cash instead of using your Medicare coverage could help you save substantially on your Synthroid prescription. Consider exploring your options, like purchasing from an online Canadian pharmacy, to get the medication you need at the lowest possible price.

Alternatives to Synthroid

If you have received a hypothyroidism diagnosis, it is important to understand the treatment options that are available to you. Fortunately, there are several medications that you can consider to help regulate your thyroid function and alleviate symptoms.

Synthroid vs. Levothyroxine

Levothyroxine, the generic version of Synthroid, is an affordable alternative that can help you save significantly on your prescription costs. Both generic levothyroxine and brand-name Synthroid share the same active ingredient, which is levothyroxine. [4]

Switching to generic levothyroxine is a viable option without compromising on quality. Generic medications are generally more affordable than their brand-name counterparts, making them an attractive choice for many Americans. Rest assured, both generic and brand-name medications are regulated by the FDA, ensuring their effectiveness and safety. [4]

In fact, a recent study conducted over a nine-year period evaluated the effectiveness of both brand-name and generic levothyroxine in 17,598 patients. The results showed that the percentage of patients who achieved normal thyroid hormone levels within three months was nearly identical in both groups. [5]

Liothyronine vs Levothyroxine

Both levothyroxine (Synthroid) and liothyronine (Cytomel) are used to replace thyroid hormones when levels are low. [1] While they both treat hypothyroidism, there are some key differences between these medications.

• Levothyroxine contains a synthetic version of thyroxine (T4). Once you take levothyroxine, your body converts it into triiodothyronine (T3), which is the active thyroid hormone. This conversion process mimics what would happen with T4 produced by your thyroid gland.

• Liothyronine contains the lab-made form of triiodothyronine (T3). Since liothyronine already contains active thyroid hormone, it can start working within hours of taking it. [1]

The American Thyroid Association recommends levothyroxine (Synthroid) as the first-line treatment for hypothyroidism. [1] There are several good reasons for starting with levothyroxine:

• Levothyroxine is affordable and easy to take

• It’s effective at resolving hypothyroidism symptoms. Normal T4 and TSH levels are typically achieved after about six weeks of treatment.

• Levothyroxine has a low risk of side effects when taken at recommended doses.

• It’s absorbed well from the intestine, with 70 to 80% of the tablet being absorbed.

• It has a long half-life of seven days, allowing once-daily dosing.

• Levothyroxine provides a natural ratio of T4 to T3 that matches normal thyroid function. [1]

If you have just been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, your doctor will most likely recommend levothyroxine to treat your underactive thyroid. Liothyronine is usually added on if levothyroxine is not enough to restore normal thyroid levels. [1]

Conclusion

Synthroid remains the gold standard treatment for hypothyroidism due to its proven effectiveness and safety profile. However, we cannot overlook the fact that managing hypothyroidism often requires long-term treatment, and the costs of this daily medication can quickly accumulate over months and years.

Fortunately, there are ways to save money on your Synthroid prescription. Switching to the generic version, levothyroxine, is a simple solution that provides comparable treatment at a lower price. You can also consider filling your prescription through a reputable online Canadian pharmacy like Canadian Med Center. They offer significant savings over U.S. retail prices, with the same medication and quality.

The information provided is for informational purposes only. We do not offer medical advice. Please consult with your physician or qualified healthcare professional for guidance on drugs, medical conditions, or treatments. Our content is not a replacement for professional medical recommendations.