Hypothyroidism Medication

  • Author: Shikha Bharaktiya, MD; Chief Editor: George T Griffing, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jul 22, 2011
 

Medication Summary

The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications.

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Thyroid hormone replacement

Class Summary

Levothyroxine is generally considered to be the treatment of choice for patients with hypothyroidism.

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Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid, Unithroid)

 

In active form, influences growth and maturation of tissues. Involved in normal growth, metabolism, and development. Produces stable levels of T3 and T4. Administered as a single dose in the morning on an empty stomach. May be administered PO/IV/IM. Has long half-life (7-10 d), and parenteral dosing is rarely needed (except when PO is unavailable, patient is on continuous enteral feeds, or in emergency, such as myxedema coma). Initial subtherapeutic doses are recommended to avoid the stress of rapid metabolic change in elderly patients and in those with coronary artery disease or severe COPD.

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Liothyronine (Cytomel, Triostat)

 

Synthetic form of the natural thyroid hormone T3 converted from T4. Used when a rapid effect is desired perioperatively or for nuclear medicine studies. Not intended as sole maintenance therapy. Can be used in combination with levothyroxine in small doses (5-15 mcg/d). Duration of activity is short (half-life is 12-24 h) and allows for quick dosage adjustments in event of overdosage. May be preferred when GI absorption is impaired (95% absorbed compared to 50-80% of T4) or if peripheral conversion is impaired.

Dosage recommendations are for short-term use in special circumstances (see above) with the guidance of an endocrinologist.

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Desiccated thyroid (Armour Thyroid)

 

Derived from extract of bovine or porcine thyroid glands. Some manufacturers standardize based on bioassays; others use iodine content. Desiccated thyroid is referred to as natural thyroid and generally contains T3 and T4 in a 1:4 ratio. It is made in the following strengths 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, and 3 grain as well as 4 and 5 grain tabs. One grain (60 mg) contains about 38 mcg of T4 and 9 mcg of T3. Because these preparations contain variable quantities of T3, they should not be prescribed for patients with known or suspected cardiac disease (see above).

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Shikha Bharaktiya, MD  Clinical Fellow, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Texas Medical School at Houston

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Philip R Orlander, MD  Assistant Dean for Educational Affairs, Vice-Chair of Medicine for Education, Director and Professor, Division of Endocrinology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Philip R Orlander, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American Diabetes Association, Endocrine Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Walter R Woodhouse, MD, MSA  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Family Practice, Medical College of Ohio

Walter R Woodhouse, MD, MSA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pain Medicine, and Society of Teachers of Family Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Anu Bhalla Davis, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, University of Texas Medical School at Houston

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Frederick H Ziel, MD  Associate Professor of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine; Physician-In-Charge, Endocrinology/Diabetes Center, Director of Medical Education, Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills; Chair of Endocrinology, Co-Chair of Diabetes Complete Care Program, Southern California Permanente Medical Group

Frederick H Ziel, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Endocrinology, American College of Physicians, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Diabetes Association, American Federation for Medical Research, American Medical Association, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, California Medical Association, Endocrine Society, and International Society for Clinical Densitometry

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Arthur B Chausmer, MD, PhD, FACP, FACE, FACN, CNS  Professor of Medicine (Endocrinology, Adj), Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Affiliate Research Professor, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, School of Computational Sciences, George Mason University; Principal, C/A Informatics, LLC

Arthur B Chausmer, MD, PhD, FACP, FACE, FACN, CNS is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Endocrinology, American College of Nutrition, American College of Physicians, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Medical Informatics Association, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, Endocrine Society, and International Society for Clinical Densitometry

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mark Cooper, MBBS, PhD, FRACP  Head, Diabetes & Metabolism Division, Baker Heart Research Institute, Professor of Medicine, Monash University

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

George T Griffing, MD  Professor of Medicine, St Louis University School of Medicine

George T Griffing, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Medical Practice Executives, American College of Physician Executives, American College of Physicians, American Diabetes Association, American Federation for Medical Research, American Heart Association, Central Society for Clinical Research, Endocrine Society, International Society for Clinical Densitometry, and Southern Society for Clinical Investigation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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