Hypothyroidism, a condition which involves low thyroid hormone levels, usually requires a daily and life-long hypothyroidism treatments, depending upon the severity and accompanying conditions. In the past, dessicated thyroid tablets were used. These tablets are derived from the thyroid of animals. Presently, the drug popularly used for this disease is a “synthetic thyroid hormone”, levothyroxine (Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid). This is also an oral medication which aids the thyroid restore itself and normalize the hormone levels.

Hypothyroidism treatments involve synthetic thyroid hormone therapy which is specifically used for the T4 form of thyroid hormone. Let me explain to you why it is used mainly for the T4 and not the T3 hormone, when in fact T3 is more active between the two.  Levothyroxine is the preferred therapy for majority of the patients because it is more stable, it has a long half-life and it should be taken only once a day. Not only that, synthetic T4 it easily converted to T3 in the blood. The conversion process is of course properly regulated by the bodily tissues. Levothyroxine doesn’t have any harmful side effects. Another advantage is, it is inexpensive.

Is there also a synthetic T3? Yes, there is. The name of the drug is liothyronine sodium (Cytomel). It is also a synthetic hormone like your levothyroxine. The disadvantages of this hormone therapy is the following: it is short-acting and it needs to be taken multiple times in a day. In short, the synthetic T4 is more convenient for the patients to take than the synthetic T3.

Patients typically show improvement after a week or two of treatment. You will notice that symptoms slowly disappear: your weight should reverse, there will be a decrease of cholesterol level and you will become more active. In short, you slowly go back to performing activities at the optimum level. After a year of getting hypothyroidism treatments and as your symptoms improve, your doctor may change your hormone dosage. It is determined by the checking your TSH level.

It is of utmost importance that you NEVER change medication brands without informing your doctor first. This is to make sure that you are receiving that right dosage and to prevent any adverse reaction that could be lethal. The hormone replacement should be taken at least 30 minutes before breakfast. And NEVER skip doses or abruptly stop taking the medication just because you feel better. Remember that hormone therapy for the treatment for hypothyroidism is LIFE-LONG. Therefore, when you stop taking the medication, hypothyroidism symptoms will reappear and you don’t want that. Avoid antacids and medications that contain iodine because they inhibit absorption of the drug.

Adults who receives hypothyroidism treatments usually require 1.6 microgram per kilogram per day or 100 to 150 micrograms per day. Children, on the other hand, requires large doses. People who have pre-existing or who may have heart disease  will start with less than or 25 micrograms of the medication. Replacement hormone therapy could aggravate the heart condition or may result in uncovering a heart problem. Patients usually report symptoms of chest pain or a heart attack it there is a an underlying heart condition.