Levothyroxine

Question 1

Contraindication

Answer 1

None

Question 2

How the treatment works

Answer 2

– A synthetic version of thyroxine, the hormone produced by your thyroid gland
– It is given to bring your thyroid activity back up to normal

Question 3

Treatment course and how it is taken

Answer 3

– Once daily tablet before breakfast
– Taken long term
– Dose changes take 4-6 weeks to take effect

Question 4

Monitoring required

Answer 4

– TSH test every 2-3 months until stable
– When TSH level stable, check annually

Question 5

Side effects

Answer 5

– Rare when thyroxine level stable as it’s replacing a normal hormone
– Hyperthyroid symptoms (vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, palpitations, heat intolerance) may be experienced if dosage is too high
– Hypothyroid symptoms (cold intolerance, constipation) if dosage is too low

Question 6

Safety netting

Answer 6

Hypo/hyperthyroidism symptoms