When the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient hormones, hypothyroidism occurs. Immediate medical attention is wanted to relieve the symptoms. Levothyroxine, liothyronine, and combination therapy are powerful medicines for hypothyroidism.
Effective medication can help hypothyroid individuals lead fulfilling lives. Consult with a doctor to choose the right hypothyroidism medication.
Key Points
- The 3 famous pharmacological treatments for hypothyroidism are levothyroxine, liothyronine, and combination therapy.
- Depending on each patient’s needs, a healthcare practitioner can select the medications and dosage.
Depending on each patient’s demands, a healthcare practitioner can choose the best medication and dosage. Effective management of hypothyroidism requires regular evaluation and alterations.
Top Medications for Hypothyroidism
There are numerous medicines available to treat hypothyroidism, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
1. Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Tirosint)
Synthetic thyroxine (T4) is often the first-line treatment for hypothyroidism and is known as levothyroxine. The following information relates to this medication:
Mechanism of Action
- Thyroxine (T4), a thyroid hormone, is synthesized as levothyroxine.
- It functions by either raising or substituting the body’s natural thyroid hormone levels.
Dosage
- The dosage for adults is usually 1.6–1.7 mcg/kg/day.
How to Take It?
- Levothyroxine is typically given orally once daily on an empty stomach.
- Take medication 30 minutes before breakfast.
- Try to take it daily at the same time for consistent blood levels.
Side Effects
The side effects of levothyroxine are given below;
- Headache
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Changes in appetite
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing
Note: Before beginning or altering any medication for hypothyroidism, always see a doctor.
2. Liothyronine (Cytomel)
Another medicine used to treat hypothyroidism is liothyronine (Cytomel). The following information relates to this medication:
Mechanism of action
- Liothyronine contains the T3 hormone, regulating metabolism.
- It alleviates hypothyroidism symptoms by increasing T3 levels.
Dosage
- The recommended starting dose is 5–25 mcg administered once daily.
How to Take It?
- Liothyronine is typically ingested once per day, with or without food.
- To keep the body’s level of T3 constant, it’s essential to its dosage each day at the same time.
Side Effects
The side effects of liothyronine are;
- Headache
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Chest pain
- Seizures
Alert – If you have any of these side effects while taking liothyronine, you should consult a doctor know right away.
3. Combination Therapy
Hypothyroidism is treated by combining liothyronine and levothyroxine. The usual mixture is referred to as “liothyronine augmentation.” In order to supplement levothyroxine therapy, liothyronine is administered in small doses.
Mechanism of action
- Levothyroxine (T4) and liothyronine (T3) hormones are both synthesized and used as part of combination therapy for hypothyroidism.
- Liothyronine directly supplies active T3 hormone, while levothyroxine restores T4 levels and converts them to T3.
- In particular, for people with impaired T4 to T3 conversion, this strategy tries to optimize thyroid hormone homeostasis.
Dosage
- The dosage of levothyroxine for adults lies between 1.6–1.7 mcg/kg/day.
- The dosage of liothyronine commonly varies from 5 to 20 micrograms per day.
How to Take It?
- Since levothyroxine (T4) has an extended half-existence than different thyroid medicinal drugs, it is often given as soon as day by day in the morning on an empty stomach.
- The day may be broken into more than one dose of liothyronine (T3) due to its shorter half of lifestyles.
- A medical expert should choose the timing and dosage for combination therapy depending on each patient’s needs and ongoing monitoring.
Side Effects
Side effects of combination therapy can be;
- Palpitations
- Tremors
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
Caution- Inappropriate liothyronine dosage can lead to overstimulation or hyperthyroidism.
You may also read about diet plans for hypothyroidism
Other Medications for Hypothyroidism
The first line of treatment for hypothyroidism is often using the above-mentioned medicines. To treat their symptoms, some patients also look into supplementary treatments.
1. Iodine Supplements
A lack of iodine can cause hypothyroidism because iodine is required for the thyroid to produce its hormones. Supplemental iodine may be able to help your thyroid function normally again.
Dosage
- Iodine dosage recommendations for adults are 150 micrograms per day.
How to Take It?
- The supplement is available in tablets or capsules.
- Take the medicine with water.
- You can take the supplement with or without food.
Side Effects
The side effects of iodine supplements include:
- Headache
- Dermatitis
- Stomach discomfort
2. Zinc Supplements
Zinc is required for the production and regulation of thyroid hormones, thus taking a zinc supplement can aid your thyroid function.
Dosage
- You need to take 8 and 11 milligrams of zinc as an adult.
- But people with this condition may need to have 30-60 mg of zinc per day
How to Take It?
- There are several zinc dietary supplement dosage forms including liquid, pills, and capsules.
- These may be taken with or without food.
Alert – In order to avoid potential interaction with thyroid drugs’ absorption, take zinc supplements at least two hours apart.
Side Effects
The side effects may include:
- Stomach cramps
- Copper deficiency
- Weakened immunity
- Lower HDL cholesterol levels
Factors to Consider For Best Medication for Hypothyroidism
The factors to see when selecting the best medication for hypothyroidism are given below.
- The severity of the problem affects the choice of medication for hypothyroidism.
- Due to increasing hazards in older people, age can affect the drug utilized.
- To avoid drug interactions with hypothyroidism treatments, tell your doctor about all currently taking medications.
- Strict dietary guidelines that can be difficult to adhere to are part of several hypothyroidism medicines.
Consider your age, health, and circumstances when selecting a treatment. For further queries, you should go for an expert.
FAQs
1. Which exercise is best for the thyroid?
For thyroid patients looking to lose weight, walking is the greatest and most convenient exercise. Walking enhances cardiac health and may help with depression and exhaustion by enhancing mood.
2. Which food is not good for the thyroid gland?
You should not eat foods like butter, cheese, and deep-fried products.
3. What is the drug of first choice for treating hypothyroidism?
When it’s to treating hypothyroidism, then prescribing levothyroxine is generally the first choice of experts.