Various hormonal diseases require hormonal adjustment or hormone replacement therapy. This also applies to thyroid disease. Thus, in the case of hypothyroidism, the administration of artificial thyroid hormones is necessary. Levothyroxine, for example, is used in this case.
What is hypothyroidism?
Levothyroxine is a thyroid hormone. More precisely, it is the T4 form of the hormone. The hormone T4 is converted to T3 in the thyroid gland using iodine and selenium. T3 is the metabolically active hormone that controls all functions of the body. For example, growth of hair and nails, appetite and digestion, fertility in women, concentration and memory, body temperature regulation, etc.
Pharmacological effects on the body and organs
In people with thyroid dysfunction such as hypothyroidism, levothyroxine is used for therapy. The T4 hormone form contained in the drug replaces the missing hormones that can no longer be produced by the thyroid gland itself. Administration of T4 in the form of levothyroxine tablets affects the body functions already mentioned above. It affects:
- The regulation of body temperature
- The fertility of the woman in case of desire to have children
- Growth of hair and nails
- Psychological stability
- The sleep
- Digestion and body weight
- Fat metabolism
- Blood sugar, etc.
A lack of sufficient T4 therefore affects the whole body in thyroid disease. The patient feels tired, fatigued, depressed and gains body weight. Blood lipids increase even with a healthy diet and many patients suffer from hair loss, brittle nails and sleep disturbances. Levothyroxine is available in Germany from various manufacturers. To enable the most accurate hormone adjustment possible, levothyroxine is commercially available in different dosages. The dosage form as tablets is available in strengths of: 25 µg, 50 µg, 75 µg, 100 µg, 125 µg and 125 µg, among others.
Medical use and application for treatment and prevention.
Prescriptions for levothyroxine are given by specialists such as nuclear medicine physicians or endocrinologists (hormone specialists), among others, after the determination of hypothyroidism or inflammation of the thyroid gland (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis). Follow-up prescriptions can also be issued by the family doctor. Diseases of this type can be diagnosed by a precise hormone profile in the blood. The hormones T3, T4 and the TSH value are determined. An ultrasound examination and a scintigram as well as the determination of thyroid antibodies (MAK, TRAK, TPO) support the diagnosis. Depending on the type of disease, the thyroid gland may enlarge due to hormone deficiency and a goiter may form. Nodules are also not uncommon. If the hormone situation becomes more balanced through regular administration of T4 medication, the enlargement of the thyroid gland may regress. In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the thyroid shrinks due to inflammatory processes. This occurs due to antibodies in the course of an autoimmune process and insufficient hormones are produced. Here it is essential to counteract with the administration of levothyroxine.
Risks and side effects
If the treatment of the thyroid gland is not well adjusted, there may be more or less unpleasant side effects and side effects. In particular, patients who have long suffered from a hormone deficiency that was not immediately diagnosed often find it difficult to tolerate a higher initial dose. The body first has to get used to the increased hormone supply again. Therefore, T4 medication should always be “phased in”, i.e. the dose should be as small as possible at the beginning and then slowly increased. Side effects of too high an initial dose may include:
- Palpitations
- Sweating
- Anxiety
When administering thyroid hormones, it is also useful to have a hormone profile at least 2x a year by a general practitioner or specialist to avoid symptoms and overdose or underdose. The daily dose is taken in the morning, fasting, at least half an hour before breakfast. This ensures the optimal effectiveness of the drug.
