Levothyroxine

Question 1

ATHLETICS

Answer 1

Action
Timing
How to take
Length of treatment
Effects - time before
Tests required
Important side effects
Complications/contraindications
Supplementary advice

Question 2

Action

Answer 2

A synthetic version of the normal hormone produced by the thyroid gland called thyroxine.
It is given to bring your thyroxine levels back up to normal.

Question 3

Timing

Answer 3

Once daily before breakfast

Question 4

How to take

Answer 4

Tablet

Question 5

Length of treatment

Answer 5

Lifelong

Question 6

Effects - time to take effect

Answer 6

Few weeks

Question 7

Tests

Answer 7

Start test dose then review in 2-3 weeks.
TSH test every 2-3 months until stable.
When TSH level stable, check annually.

Question 8

Important side effects

Answer 8

Rare when thyroxine level stable as it’s replacing a normal hormone.
May be hyperthyroid symptoms if level is too high (vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, palpitations, heat intolerance) or hypothyroid symptoms if level is too low.

Question 9

Complications/Contraindications

Answer 9

-

Question 10

Supplementary advice

Answer 10

Free prescriptions for everything if taking levothyroxine!