Treatment
Hypothyroidism is treated with the levorotatory forms of thyroxine (levothyroxine) (L-T4) and triiodothyronine (liothyronine) (L-T3). Synthroid is, in the US, the most common name form of the pill Levothyroxine. Synthroid is also the most common pill prescribed by doctors that has the synthetic thyroid hormone in it. This medicine can improve symptoms of thyroid deficiency such as slow speech, lack of energy, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, and feeling cold. It also helps to treat goiter. It is also used to treat some kinds of thyroid cancer along with surgery and other medicines. Both synthetic and animal-derived thyroid tablets are available and can be prescribed for patients in need of additional thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone is taken daily, and doctors can monitor blood levels to help assure proper dosing. Levothyroxine is best taken 30–60 minutes before breakfast, as some food can diminish absorption. Calcium can inhibit the absorption of levothryoxine. Compared to water, coffee reduces absorption of levothyroxine by about 30 percent. Some patients might appear to be resistant to levothyroxine, when in fact they do not properly absorb the tablets - a problem which is solved by pulverizing the medication. There are several different treatment protocols in thyroid-replacement therapy:
- T4 only
- This treatment involves supplementation of levothyroxine alone, in a synthetic form. It is currently the standard treatment in mainstream medicine.
- T4 and T3 in combination
- This treatment protocol involves administering both synthetic L-T4 and L-T3 simultaneously in combination.
- Desiccated thyroid extract
- Desiccated thyroid extract is an animal-based thyroid extract, most commonly from a porcine source. It is also a combination therapy, containing natural forms of L-T4 and L-T3.
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