Levothyroxine counselling

Question 1

Contraindications

Answer 1

• Thyrotoxicosis
• Not really any

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’s 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 levels are 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 etc) if dosage is too low