Several endocrine conditions, including hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), are more common in people with Down syndrome compared to people without Down syndrome. Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Tirosint, Levoxyl) is a medication that is often prescribed to treat hypothyroidism. Typically, health care providers recommend taking levothyroxine with water on an empty stomach at the same time each day (frequently, in the morning) and waiting 30-60 minutes before eating or drinking. This helps the body absorb the medication appropriately.
We created the visual handout below to support individuals with Down syndrome and hypothyroidism. There are versions for waiting 30 minutes and waiting 60 minutes. There are also versions with lighter skin and darker skin as well as male and female. Click or tap the links or images to open a printable PDF version of the visual.
Female
Male
More information can be found in the Endocrinology section of our online Resource Library.