How Much Levothyroxine and Other Thyroid Medications Cost
Hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and thyroid cancer are conditions that can affect the production of essential hormones and require medication. Medication for hyperthyroidism can range from about $4 to $93 and medication for hypothyroidism can range from about $16 to $25 for 30 tablets.
With Mira, members get access to low-cost urgent care visits, affordable lab testing, and discounted prescriptions, all for $45 per month. Sign up today and get your thyroid medication at an affordable price.
The Cost of Thyroid Medications
The price of medications depends on what type of medication you get, the dosage, the form of medication, if you get a generic or name brand medication, and where you live. The average retail price for levothyroxine is $15.81 while other thyroid medications range between $4.07 and $93.98.
Costs of Medications that Treat Hyperthyroidism
Medication name | Generic or Brand | Dosage | Quantity | Average Retail Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levothyroxine | Generic | 50mcg | 30 tablets | 15.81 |
| Euthyrox | Brand | 75mcg | 30 tablet | 4.07 |
| Levo-T | Brand | 50mcg | 30 tablet | 18.24 |
| Levoxyl | Brand | 50 mcg | 30 tablets | 14.33 |
| Synthroid | Brand | 50 mcg | 30 tablets | 58.57 |
| Unithroid | Brand | 50 mcg | 30 tablets | 93.98 |
| Liothyronine | Generic | 5 mcg | 30 tablets | 41.14 |
| Cytomel | Brand | 5 mcg | 30 tablets | 90.74 |
| Nature-Throid | Generic | 65 mcg | 30 tablets | 20.41 |
| Westhroid | Generic | 65 mcg | 30 tablets | 13.21 |
Costs of Medications that Treat Hypothyroidism
Medication name | Generic or Brand | Dosage | Quantity | Average Retail Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Propylthiouracil | Generic | 50 mcg | 30 tablets | 24.69 |
| Methimazole | Generic | 5 mcg | 30 tablets | 16.95 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Thyroid Conditions (FAQ)
What is the thyroid gland?
The thyroid is a gland located at the front of your neck that produces hormones that regulate many bodily functions. For example, the thyroid gland is responsible for temperature regulation, heart rate, brain development, and metabolism.
Get healthcare for 80% less.
Mira helps you get healthcare services for up to 80% less than paying out of pocket or going through insurance. As seen on Forbes, Axios, and CNBC.
The names of the hormones that the thyroid gland produces are triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).
What are hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and thyroid cancer?
The most common problems with the thyroid gland are hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and thyroid cancer. These medical conditions will likely require medication.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is producing an overabundance of hormones. Some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism include but are not limited to weight loss, rapid or irregular heart rate, change in menstrual or bowel patterns, and enlarged thyroid gland.
Some diseases that can cause hyperthyroidism include:
- Grave’s disease
- Plummer’s disease
- Thyroiditis
According to Johns Hopkins, the following medications are often used to treat people with hypothyroidism by supplementing hormone production:
- Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Euthyrox, Levo-T, Levoxyl, Unithroid)
- Liothyronine (Cytomel)
- Natural thyroid (Nature-throid, Westhroid)
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones needed by the body. Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism include but are not limited to fatigue, weight gain, puffy face, thinning hair, impaired memory, and an enlarged thyroid gland.
Some conditions that can cause someone to develop hypothyroidism include:
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Response to treatment for hyperthyroidism
- Radiation to treat cancer in the head and neck
- Thyroid surgery
- Medications, such as lithium
The following medications are sometimes used to treat hyperthyroidism by slowing down the production of certain hormones to regulate thyroid hormone levels:
- Propylthiouracil (PTU)
- Methimazole (Tapezole)
Thyroid Cancer occurs when a tumor forms on your thyroid gland. Some symptoms of thyroid cancer include a lump on your neck (thyroid nodules), difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, pain in your neck, and difficulty swallowing. It is unclear what causes thyroid cancer, but exposure to high levels of radiation and genetics may increase your risk.
Below are some of the types of thyroid cancer:
- Papillary thyroid cancer
- Follicular thyroid cancer
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer
- Medullary thyroid cancer
Ways to Get Thyroid Medications at a Lower Cost
It is clear that medication to treat thyroid disorders can be expensive. Here are some ways that you can get these medications at the lowest cost:
Look for Generic Medications
Generic medications can be significantly cheaper than their name-brand counterparts. If your doctor prescribes you a name-brand medication, you can ask if there is a generic medication you can take as a substitute. Sometimes there are differences between name brands and generic medications, but in many cases, the generic version of the medication is just as effective and can be substituted for the name brand.
Check the Price at Different Locations
Pharmacies may offer the same medication at different prices. Therefore, you can call some of your local pharmacies or use MiraRx to see how much your medication will cost at different locations.
Alternative Solutions to Get Affordable Scripts
With a Mira membership, one benefit members have access to is discounted prescriptions (along with affordable urgent care visits and low-cost lab testing). MiraRx allows you to enter the name of the medication you need and your location. You will then be presented with coupons you can use to get your medication for a discounted price. For example, you can get Propylthiouracil, which is about $148.13 for only $42.15 by using MiraRx. Sign up and use Mira today.
Bottom Line
There are many possible thyroid conditions, such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Each typically requires patients to purchase expensive prescription medications. However, there are other ways to afford them, including MiraRx, where members are eligible for up to 80% off prescription medications. Sign up today and get started.