Synthroid Patient Tips: 7 things you should know

The “optimal dose” was determined for each patient as that dosage of thyroxine being taken when the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) response was normal (ie, an increase in TSH of between 4.7 and 25 mIU/L). Monitor for cardiac arrhythmias during surgical procedures in patients with coronary artery disease receiving suppressive SYNTHROID therapy. Monitor patients receiving concomitant SYNTHROID and sympathomimetic agents for signs and symptoms of coronary insufficiency. Patients The SYNTHROID dosage is based on the target level of TSH suppression for the stage and clinical status of thyroid cancer.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Oral levothyroxine sodium is a synthetic T4 hormone that exerts the same physiologic effect as endogenous T4, thereby maintaining normal T4 levels when a deficiency is present. Thyroid hormones exert their physiologic actions through control of DNA transcription and protein synthesis. Triiodothyronine (T3) and L-thyroxine (T4) diffuse into the cell nucleus and bind to thyroid receptor proteins attached to DNA. This hormone nuclear receptor complex activates gene transcription and synthesis of messenger RNA and cytoplasmic proteins. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown.

• Carefully monitor glycemic control, especially when thyroid therapy is started, changed, or discontinued see Warnings and Precautions (5.5).
• Children can take the medicine if the tablet is crushed and put into about 1 to 2 teaspoons of water; do not store or delay giving this crushed pill suspension.
• Intramuscular administration is not advisable because of reported poor absorption.
• Tell your doctor if you have an untreated or uncontrolled adrenal gland disorder or any heart problems such as a recent heart attack.
• Titrate the dosage (every 2 weeks) as needed based on serum TSH or free-T4 until the patient is euthyroid.

Assess compliance, dose of medication administered, and method of administration prior to increasing the dose of SYNTHROID. Assess compliance, dose of medication administered, and method of administration prior to increasing the dose of SYNTHROID see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and Use In Specific Populations. Synthroid is prescribed in tablets that range from 25 to 300 mcg in strength and is usually taken once a day with a full glass of water (about 8 ounces) 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast for best adsorption into the body. Children can take the medicine if the tablet is crushed and put into about 1 to 2 teaspoons of water; do not store or delay giving this crushed pill suspension.

Patient Counseling Information

• These could be symptoms of severe hypothyroidism, called myxedema coma, which may be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
• For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
• Addition of levothyroxine therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus may worsen glycemic control and result in increased antidiabetic agent or insulin requirements.

Since thyroid hormone occurs naturally in the body, almost anyone can take levothyroxine. However, you may not be able to take this medicine if you have certain medical conditions. Exogenous thyroid hormone may produce regression of metastases from follicular and papillary carcinoma of the thyroid and is used as ancillary therapy of these conditions with radioactive iodine. Therefore, larger amounts of thyroid hormone than those used for replacement therapy are required. Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid is usually unresponsive to this therapy. Therapy is usually instituted using low doses, with increments which depend on the cardiovascular status of the patient.

In addition, many drugs and foods affect T4 absorption see DRUG INTERACTIONS. Thyroid hormones, including SYNTHROID, either alone or with other therapeutic agents, should not be used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss. In euthyroid patients, doses within the range of daily hormonal requirements are ineffective for weight reduction. Larger doses may produce serious or even life-threatening manifestations of toxicity, particularly when given in association with sympathomimetic amines such as those used for their anorectic effects. Larger doses may produce serious or even life-threatening manifestationsof toxicity, particularly when given in association with sympathomimetic amines such as those used for their anorectic effects.

Oral levothyroxine is taken by mouth and is available as tablets, capsules, and an oral solution. You may not be able to use levothyroxine if you have certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have an untreated or uncontrolled adrenal gland disorder or any heart problems such as a recent heart attack. Eltroxin is used for hashimoto’s disease, hypothyroidism, after thyroid removal, myxedema coma … Unithroid is used for hashimoto’s disease, hypothyroidism, after thyroid removal, myxedema coma …

Medical Professionals

Monitor serum free-T4 levels and maintain in the upper half of the order synthroid normal range in these patients. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. You may not be able to take Synthroid if you have certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have an untreated or uncontrolled adrenal gland disorder, a thyroid disorder called thyrotoxicosis, or if you have any recent or current symptoms of a heart attack. Synthroid is a prescription medicine used to treat hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone).

Administration of sertraline in patients stabilized on SYNTHROID may result in increased SYNTHROID requirements. Hypersensitivity reactions to inactive ingredients have occurred in patients treated with thyroid hormone products. These include urticaria, pruritus, skin rash, flushing, angioedema, various gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea), fever, arthralgia, serum sickness, and wheezing. Hypersensitivity to levothyroxine itself is not known to occur.

2 Antidiabetic Therapy

Thyroid hormones may increase the risk of coronary insufficiency when sympathomimetic agents are administered to patients with coronary artery disease. Carefully monitor glycemic control, especially when thyroid therapy is started, changed, or discontinued see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS. Pseudotumor cerebri and slipped capital femoral epiphysis have been reported in pediatric patients receiving levothyroxine therapy. For pregnant patients with pre-existing hypothyroidism, measure serum TSH and free-T4 as soon as pregnancy is confirmed and, at minimum, during each trimester of pregnancy.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Having hypothyroidism during pregnancy may increase the risk of premature birth or other complications. The benefit of treating hypothyroidism may outweigh any risks to the baby.