How to Properly Store Your Thyroid Medication

How and where we store our levothyroxine (such as Synthroid), liothyronine (Cytomel), and desiccated thyroid meds (like Armour Thyroid and NP Thyroid) may seem unimportant, but improper storage could actually alter the effectiveness of our medications and cause a worsening of thyroid symptoms. As such, how we take our thyroid medications each day isn’t the only thing we need to be mindful of as women with thyroid disease and Hashimoto’s: We also need to ensure we’re not exposing these drugs to high or low temperatures, humidity, or excess light.

Why Proper Storage Matters

Improper storage of thyroid medication has been linked to refractory hypothyroidism, a condition causing persistent symptoms of hypothyroidism despite taking the correct dosage of thyroid hormone replacement. Refractory hypothyroidism prevents us from reaching optimal thyroid levels, reducing our hypothyroid symptoms, and getting our health back on track.

A 2017 study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology supports the link between improper medication storage and refractory hypothyroidism, as eight Italian patients with treatment-refractory hypothyroidism were observed between January 2013 and December 2015. After a review of their medical histories and medication storage habits, it was suspected that these patients had been storing their thyroid medications improperly. All reached normal TSH levels once they began storing their tablets away from humidity, heat, and light.

Common Thyroid Medication Storage Mistakes

Even though levothyroxine is the most common treatment for hypothyroidism and the second most commonly prescribed drug in the United States, we don’t hear a whole lot about how levothyroxine and other thyroid meds should be stored. And for this reason, many of us with thyroid disease and Hashimoto’s are unknowingly storing our medications in inadequate locations that expose our drugs to excess humidity, light, heat, or cold — making our drugs less effective at treating our underactive thyroid.

As a few examples, storing our thyroid drugs near a shower, heater, or sunny window could reduce the effectiveness of our medications and contribute to refractory hypothyroidism. Additionally, storing our thyroid medications at lower temperatures (or in the refrigerator) could be just as damaging as exposing them to heat, humidity, or sunlight.

How to Effectively Store Thyroid Medication

For specifics on properly storing your levothyroxine, liothyronine, or desiccated thyroid medications, be sure to thoroughly review the paper handouts included with your prescription drugs (known as Medication Guides). Keep this information in a safe place so you can refer to it when needed, or use the National Library of Medicine’s DailyMed database to obtain labeling and storage information for the thyroid medication(s) you’re taking. Drugs.com is another reliable resource for consumers.

In addition to protecting your thyroid meds from moisture, light, heat, and cold, specific storage guidelines for common thyroid medications are described below.

Synthroid (Levothyroxine Sodium Tablet)

Store drug at approximately 77° F or 25° C
Temperature excursions permitted: 59° F to 86° F or 15° C to 30° C

Cytomel (Liothyronine Sodium Tablet)

Store drug between 59° F and 86° F or 15° C and 30° C

Armour Thyroid and NP Thyroid (Desiccated Natural Thyroid)

Store drug between 59° F and 86° F or 15° C and 30° C

Additional Storage Tips

To ensure you’re getting the most out of your thyroid medications, keep them in their original containers, at room temperature, and away from excess light — like inside of a bedroom nightstand you can easily access upon waking in the morning. Do not store them in the refrigerator, bathroom, or utility room; near a window, humidifier, or heating unit; or anywhere else that exposes the medication to moisture, heat, light, or cold.

If your thyroid meds come in a blister pack, do not remove your tablets from their packaging until it is time to take your medication. Blister packs are meant to protect medication from light and humidity, even though they can be a pain to open!

The Bottom Line

How and where you store your thyroid medication matters, but this isn’t a topic that’s discussed often enough. If you have any additional questions about how to best store, handle, and take your thyroid medications, please contact me or schedule a 90-minute Vital You VIP Consult.

Ready to begin your thyroid healing journey? Learn about the Thyroid Reset Method™, book your Vital You VIP Consult, or contact me directly to learn how functional medicine coaching can benefit you as you heal from thyroid disease or Hashimoto’s.