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Levothyroxine, also known as L-thyroxine, is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T 4). [ 5 ] [ 8 ] It is used to treat thyroid hormone deficiency (hypothyroidism), including a severe form known as myxedema coma . [ 5 ]
They contain a mixture of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). [1] Desiccated thyroid has been used since the late 1800s. [3] It is usually made from pigs, sheep, or cows. [4] It is available as a generic medication. [1] In 2022, it was the 137th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 4 million prescriptions.
In 2020, levothyroxine, a manufactured form of thyroxine, was the second most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 98 million prescriptions. [9] [10] Levothyroxine is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. [11]
Blood free thyroxine and TSH levels are monitored to help determine whether the dose is adequate. This is done 4–8 weeks after the start of treatment or a change in levothyroxine dose. Once the adequate replacement dose has been established, the tests can be repeated after 6 and then 12 months, unless there is a change in symptoms. [8]
Levothyroxine is the mainstay of treatment for people with hypothyroidism, [13] while people with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves' disease can be managed with iodine therapy, antithyroid medication, or surgical removal of the thyroid gland. [14]
For patients taking levothyroxine, TSH may be boosted by discontinuing levothyroxine for 3–6 weeks. [5] This long period of hormone withdrawal is required because of levothyroxine's relatively long biological half-life, and may result in symptoms of hypothyroidism in the patient. The shorter half-life of liothyronine permits a withdrawal ...
There are three main treatment options: radioiodine therapy, medications, and thyroid surgery. [1] Radioiodine therapy involves taking iodine-131 by mouth which is then concentrated in and destroys the thyroid over weeks to months. [1] The resulting hypothyroidism is treated with synthetic thyroid hormone. [1]
This can be accomplished three ways including using medication, radiation, and surgery. [citation needed] The first choice involves using medications to alleviate the symptoms and reverse the damage by blocking the production of thyroxine from the thyroid gland. Beta-blockers are used to alleviate the symptoms associated with TM. But beta ...