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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] It may also be used to treat and prevent certain types of thyroid tumors. [5] It is not indicated for weight loss. [5]
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]
Thyroid hormones act on nearly every cell in the body. They act to increase the basal metabolic rate, affect protein synthesis, help regulate long bone growth (synergy with growth hormone) and neural maturation, and increase the body's sensitivity to catecholamines (such as adrenaline) by permissiveness. [12]
Thyroid disease is a medical condition that affects the function of the thyroid gland.The thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck and produces thyroid hormones [1] that travel through the blood to help regulate many other organs, meaning that it is an endocrine organ.
Levothyroxine, a drug used to treat hypothyroidism, can lead to reduced bone mass and density in older adults with normal thyroid levels, a small cohort study has shown.
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 ...
Prescribing thyroxine to treat this may lead to lifelong thyroid overtreatment. [2] Hyperthyroidism may be assumed due to decreased TSH and a transient fT4 increase. In some cases, this can be distinguished from NTIS by a thyroid ultrasound, which is commonly available in the hospital intensive care unit. [2]
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (also known as thyrotropin, thyrotropic hormone, or abbreviated TSH) is a pituitary hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine (T 4), and then triiodothyronine (T 3) which stimulates the metabolism of almost every tissue in the body. [1]