Levothyroxine Ati Template (2024)

FAQs

What is the format of levothyroxine? ›

For oral dosage form (tablet): For hypothyroidism: Adults and children older than 12 years of age (growth and puberty complete)—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 1.6 microgram (mcg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day but may be less in older adults.

Assess heart rate, ECG, and heart sounds, especially during exercise (See Appendices G, H). Report any rhythm disturbances or symptoms of increased arrhythmias, including palpitations, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, fainting, and fatigue/weakness. Assess episodes of angina pectoris at rest and during exercise.

Cholestyramine (Questran), antacids, iron and calcium supplements, and sucralfate (Carafate) reduce absorption, so patients should not take levothyroxine within 4 hr of these drugs. Food reduces absorption.

Levothyroxine works by supplementing the low hormone levels with exogenous T4. Some patients, however, have mildly elevated TSH and normal Free T4. Providers diagnose this as subclinical hypothyroidism, and sometimes this is also treated with levothyroxine to lower TSH.

Levothyroxine is a medicine used to treat an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). The thyroid gland makes thyroid hormones which help to control energy levels and growth. Levothyroxine is taken to replace the missing thyroid hormone thyroxine.

Response to thyroxine (levothyroxine sodium) is best monitored biochemically. Thyroid function should be assessed every 6-8 weeks until the patient is euthyroid and then rechecked annunally, aiming to maintain T4 and TSH within the normal range (1).

Nursing Management

Monitor for signs and symptoms of overtreatment with levothyroxine. Indications of overtreatment mimic signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as anxiety, palpitations, tachycardia, heat intolerance, fever, excessive sweating, changes in appetite, and weight loss.

The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism in adults are fatigue, lethargy, cold intolerance, weight gain, constipation, change in voice, and dry skin, but the clinical presentation can include a wide variety of symptoms that differ with age, sex, and time between onset and diagnosis (table 1).

What to avoid when on levothyroxine? ›

Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially: Adrenal gland insufficiency (underactive adrenal gland), untreated or. Heart attack, acute or recent or. Thyrotoxicosis (overactive thyroid), untreated—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

Products such as iron and calcium supplements and antacids can lower your body's ability to absorb levothyroxine, so SYNTHROID should be taken 4 hours before or after taking these products.

Certain drugs and dietary components^2,3 can interfere with the bioavailability of levothyroxine through varying mechanisms. These drugs include calcium carbonate,^4-9 iron salts,^10-12 and aluminum-^13-15 and magnesium-containing¹⁵ antacid preparations.

Each tablet contains 100 micrograms Levothyroxine sodium anhydrous. For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1. White, uncoated, biconvex tablets engraved on one face with “ LT” and “ 100” on the other.

Popular brand names for levothyroxine (T4) include but are not limited to Synthroid®, Levoxyl®, Unithyroid®, Tirosint® in the United States and Euthyrox® and Eltroxin® in Europe.

Synthroid is a brand name for levothyroxine, a synthetic (man-made) form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine, or T4. Armour Thyroid is a brand name for a natural form of thyroid hormone. It is made from the dried thyroid glands of pigs.

The initial levothyroxine dosage for adults is around 1.6 mcg per kg of body weight. But it may vary based on your age and other health conditions. Your healthcare provider will adjust your dose every 4 to 6 weeks based on your thyroid stimulating hormone levels and how you're feeling.