Medical Health Encyclopedia

Some patients with persistent symptoms may benefit from triiodothyronine (T3), the other important thyroid hormone. In such cases, either a combination of a lower-dose of thyroxine with a small amount of T3 or natural desiccated Armour thyroid hormone, which contains T3, may be helpful.

There is the possibility that patients with an autoimmune thyroid condition may have persistent symptoms because of the inflammatory response that underlies this condition. This immune response can cause feelings of fatigue, vague aches and pains, and other symptoms that are similar to hypothyroidism itself. Little research has been conducted on this theory, however.

Side Effects of Under-Dosing. If the levothyroxine dose is not sufficient to restore normal thyroid levels, or if the patient frequently forgets to take the medication, the patient may continue to experience symptoms of hypothyroidism. Even mild hypothyroidism without any symptoms can eventually lead to an increase in cholesterol levels. In one 2000 study, 40% of people taking thyroid medication still had abnormal levels of TSH. To avoid these problems, patients should take the proper dosage of levothyroxine as prescribed and have regular check-ups that include measurement of blood TSH.

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Side Effects of Over-dosing: Thyrotoxicosis. Over-dosing can cause thyrotoxicosis, or the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. A patient with too much thyroid hormone in the blood is at an increased risk for abnormal heart rhythms, rapid heartbeat, congestive heart failure, and possibly a heart attack if the patient has underlying heart disease. Excess thyroid hormone is particularly dangerous in newborns, and their drug levels must be carefully monitored to avoid brain damage.

Side Effects of Long-Term Treatment. Patients with hypothyroidism usually receive lifelong levothyroxine therapy. There has been some concern that long-term use will increase the risk of osteoporosis, as suppression therapy does. Studies indicate that postmenopausal women who are taking long-term normal replacement thyroxine have no out-of-the-ordinary risk for osteoporosis.

Drug Interactions with Levothyroxine. Many substances and conditions interact with levothyroxine and may either enhance or interfere with its absorption. Large amounts of dietary fiber may also reduce its action. People whose diets are consistently high in fiber may require larger doses of the drug. Since thyroid hormones regulate the metabolism and can affect the actions of a number of medications, dosages may need to be adjusted if a patient is being treated for other conditions. Even changing thyroxine brands can have a different effect.

Treatment of Special Cases

Treating the Elderly and Patients with Heart Disease. Thyroid dysfunction is common in elderly patients, with most having subclinical hypothyroidism. There is no evidence that this condition poses any great harm in this population, and some experts recommend treating only high-risk patients. One 2000 study suggested many elderly patients had been treated unnecessarily for hypothyroidism for years. In the study, half the patients taking thyroid hormone were taken off the medication successfully. Such patients may have been inappropriately diagnosed years ago, when testing was less accurate. More sensitive tests available now should reduce this risk.

In any case, elderly patients and particularly people with heart conditions usually start with lower doses of thyroid replacement, since a large initial dose may be a shock to the heart. Thyroid treatment may aggravate angina in about one-fifth of patients with the heart condition. About 40% of patients who have heart disease must take lower-than-average maintenance doses. The hormone has no effect and may even improve angina in the remaining four-fifths. It should be noted that experts do not recommend treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism in elderly patients with heart disease whose test show only minimal thyroid hormone abnormalities and who have no anti-thyroid antibodies. Such patients should be closely monitored, however.

Preliminary research indicates that in patients undergoing cardiac bypass surgery, administration of triiodothyronine at the time of surgery may improve blood flow, heart rate, and cardiac output. Patients with advanced heart failure may also benefit from supplementary thyroid hormone.

Treating the Mentally Ill. Patients with psychiatric illness often forget to take their medications regularly. In these patients, once- or twice-weekly dosing of thyroid medications is often safe and effective and may improve compliance.

Treating Newborns and Infants with Hypothyroidism. Newborns with congenital hypothyroidism should be treated with levothyroxine (T4) as soon as possible to prevent complications. Treating the infant after about a month and a half does not reverse any existing mental impairment, although it does reverse physical damage.

Single oral doses of levothyroxine (T4) can usually restore normal thyroid hormone levels within one to two weeks. Even with early treatment, evidence now suggests that mild problems in mental functioning persist into adulthood. Some experts urge treating newborns at slightly higher than recommended doses for the first two weeks, although more evidence is needed to determine the risks and benefits of this approach. Infants should be monitored closely to be sure that thyroxine levels are as consistently close to normal as possible. These children need to continue lifelong thyroid hormone treatments.

One study suggested that breast-fed babies with congenital hypothyroidism may test slightly better later on than bottle-fed infants. Soy-based infant formulas can reduce the intestinal absorption of thyroxine. If soy formula is introduced, the hormone dose should be increased, and when the formula is discontinued the thyroid dose should be reduced.

Treatment During Pregnancy and for Postpartum Thyroiditis. Women who have hypothyroidism before becoming pregnant may need to increase their dose of levothyroxine during pregnancy. In very rare cases, women may actually develop hypothyroidism while pregnant and need to be treated with levothyroxine in full replacement doses to reduce the risk of stillbirth. The developing baby is not affected when the pregnant woman takes thyroid hormones. The pregnant woman with hypothyroidism should be monitored regularly and doses adjusted as necessary. If postpartum thyroiditis develops after delivery, any thyroid medication should be reduced or temporarily stopped during this period.

Treatment for Myxedema Coma. Myxedema coma is an emergency situation and the patient should be given intravenous doses of thyroid hormone, which could be triiodothyronine, levothyroxine, or both. Lower doses may be safer in elderly patients. Often, hydrocortisone, a corticosteroid, is also administered. Any other accompanying critical condition, including low body temperature, slow heart rate, low blood sugar, and difficulty in breathing, should also be treated immediately.

Treatment of Secondary Hypothyroidism. The small percentage of patients who have hypothyroidism due to a pituitary or hypothalamus problem should take levothyroxine along with their other medication to treat the primary disorder. In secondary hypothyroidism, the adrenal gland is often impaired. This means that the increased activity in the metabolic rate that occurs after thyroid replacement therapy may trigger a severe and even life-threatening condition called addisonian crisis, which is caused by a sudden demand for the depleted stress hormones secreted by the adrenal gland. Before administering thyroid replacement, then, the doctor should initiate a test that stimulates release of ACTH, one of the hormones secreted by the adrenal gland. If there is insufficient ACTH, then before thyroid replacement is started, the patient is usually treated with cortisone acetate, a stress hormone.

Taking Thyroid Hormone Inappropriately

In one study of those taking thyroid hormone, 12% of women and 29% of men were taking it inappropriately. In some cases of infertility, women with menstrual problems and repeated miscarriages and men with low sperm counts have been treated with thyroid hormones even where there was no evidence of thyroid abnormalities. (Women showing high levels of TSH, however, may benefit from levothyroxine therapy.) Other inappropriate uses for thyroid hormones are for weight loss and to reduce high cholesterol levels. Thyroid hormones have also been given to treat so-called metabolic insufficiency. Vague symptoms suggesting low metabolism, such as dry skin, fatigue, slight anemia, constipation, depression, and apathy, should not be treated indiscriminately with thyroid hormone. No evidence exists that thyroid therapy is beneficial unless the patient has proven hypothyroidism. Indiscriminate use of thyroid hormones can weaken muscles and, over the long term, even the heart. One exception is the use of thyroxine to enhance drugs used for the treatment of severe depression.

Increased or Restricted Iodide Intake

Treating Hypothyroidism and Iodide Deficiency. People who are iodide deficient may be able to be treated for hypothyroidism simply by using iodized salt. In addition to iodized salt, seafood is a good source. Except for plants grown in iodine-rich soil, most other foods do not contain iodine. The current RDA for iodide is now 150 micrograms for both men and women, with an upper limit of 1100 micrograms to avoid thyroid injury.

According to a 2000 study, when iodide-deficient children are given iodized salt, their mental status improves even if their iodide levels are still below normal. Another study reported that in areas where food supplies were low, iodine replacement caused an increase in the population's energy levels and fertility. (Unfortunately, this placed a higher burden on already low resources. Experts warn that while it is important to improve nutritional levels in developing countries, all concerns must be addressed.)

Although hypothyroidism from iodine deficiency is still very uncommon in nations where iodine has been added to salt, the consumption of iodized salt has declined in these countries over the past decades. In addition, iodine levels have been reduced in animal feed and bread products. Experts believe this may be causing an increase in subclinical hypothyroidism (without symptoms) even in developed countries.

Iodine Restriction in Patients with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Some evidence suggests that excess iodine triggers Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Small studies report that restricting iodine intake restored thyroid levels to normal in up to three quarters of these patients. More research is needed.