Dr. Jonathan Dunn, MD

Adolescence is a time of hormonal changes and especially Growth Hormone increases. Growth Hormone increases the insulin needs and if the pancreatic insulin producing cells are unable to compensate for this increased need diabetes will occur. Normally, this is not a problem, but if an adolescent has antibodies to insulin producing cells; the number of cells is deficient for responding to this. The other now more common problem is obesity increasing insulin resistance adding to the increased Growth Hormone level the pancreas is overwhelmed and cannot produce enough insulin.

The most commonly prescribed medication for hypothyroidism (also one of the most commonly prescribed medications worldwide) is levothyroxine. There are many brand names and generics. Levothyroxine is identical whether form your own thyroid or from the prescription bottle. Since it is a hormone your body requires the only adverse event would be it the dose was too high (causing palpitations, nervousness, tremor or become easily short of breath with minimal exertion) or too low a dose resulting in tiredness, constipation and cold intolerance. I have had a few people in my practice who had a sensitivity to the dye used in the production of the pills, but never to the medication itself.