Thyroid Drugs

Question 1

The key treatment approach for a patient with hypothyroidism is to increase thyroxine (T4), whilst ensuring thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels remain at normal levels. What is the core drug used for hypothyroidism?

1 - Carbimazole
2 - Propylthiouracil
3 - Levothyroxine
4 - Hydrocortisone

Answer 1

3 - Levothyroxine - released directly into blood as an analogue of T4

• also known as L-thyroxine
• synthetic version of thyroxine (T4)

Question 2

If we are treating patients with hyperthyroidism we may choose to prescribe drugs. What are the 2 key drugs that we need to know for the treatment of hyperthyroidism?

1 - Propylthiouracil and Levothyroxine
2 - Carbimazole and Levothyroxine
3 - Propylthiouracil and Carbimazole
4 - Levothyroxine and Gliclazide

Pro-thigh-o-ur-a-sil

Answer 2

3 - Propylthiouracil and Carbimazole

Question 3

If we are treating patients with hyperthyroidism we may choose to prescribe drugs. The 2 key drugs that we need to know for the treatment of hyperthyroidism are Propylthiouracil and Carbimazole. What is the mechanism of action of these drugs?

1 - bind TSH receptors so TSH cannot bind
2 - inhibit the hypothalamus from releasing thyrotropin releasing hormone
3 - inhibits thyroglobulin
4 - inhibits thyroid peroxidase

Answer 3

4 - inhibits peroxidase

- thyroid peroxidases, meaning T3 and T4 cannot be produced through iodination in colloid