Synthroid Patient Tips: 7 things you should know

Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Many other medicines can be affected by your thyroid hormone levels. Certain other medicines may also increase or decrease the effects of Synthroid. Rapid restoration of normal serum T4 concentrations is essential for preventing the adverse effects of congenital hypothyroidism on cognitive development as well as on overall physical growth and maturation. Therefore, initiate SYNTHROID therapy immediately upon diagnosis. Levothyroxine is generally continued for life in these patients see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS. Thyroid hormone increases metabolic clearance of glucocorticoids.

• Monitor serum free-T4 levels and maintain in the upper half of the normal range in these patients.
• Biotin supplementation is known to interfere with thyroid hormone immunoassays that are based on a biotin and streptavidin interaction, which may result in erroneous thyroid hormone test results.
• Consider changes in TBG concentration when interpreting T4 and T3 values.
• The majority of the SYNTHROID dose is absorbed from the jejunum and upper ileum.

Armour Thyroid

The majority of the SYNTHROID dose is absorbed from the jejunum and upper ileum. The relative bioavailability of SYNTHROID tablets, compared to an equal nominal dose of oral levothyroxine sodium solution, is approximately 93%. T4 absorption is increased by fasting, and decreased in malabsorption syndromes and by certain foods such as soybeans. In addition, many drugs and foods affect T4 absorption see DRUG INTERACTIONS. In adult patients with primary hypothyroidism, monitor serum TSH levels after an interval of 6 to 8 weeks after any change in dosage. In patients on a stable and appropriate replacement dosage, evaluate clinical and biochemical response every 6 to 12 months and whenever there is a change in the patient’s clinical status.

Having low thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Since thyroid hormone occurs naturally in the body, almost anyone can take levothyroxine. However, you may not be able to take this medicine if you have certain medical conditions. SYNTHROID synthroid minoxidil may reduce the therapeutic effects of digitalis glycosides.

• A portion of the conjugated hormone reaches the colon unchanged and is eliminated in the feces.
• It is also not indicated for the treatment of hypothyroidism during the recovery phase of subacute thyroiditis.
• Therefore, initiate SYNTHROID therapy immediately upon diagnosis.

SUBSTITUTION AT THE PHARMACY

Language needed to prevent generic substitution varies by state. AbbVie is committed to adhering to CGMP and believes in the integrity of its manufacturing process. AbbVie is dedicated to ensuring that all SYNTHROID products are manufactured at the highest standards. Depending on patient circumstances, cost can sometimes be a concern.

• Initiate appropriate supportive treatment as dictated by the patient’s medical status.
• Approximately 80% of the daily dose of T4 is deiodinated to yield equal amounts of T3 and reverse T3 (rT3).
• Carefully monitor glycemic control after starting, changing, or discontinuing SYNTHROID see DRUG INTERACTIONS.
• And, as a practicing thyroid specialist, I have extensive clinical experience with using this medication.
• Armour Thyroid is used for hashimoto’s disease, hypothyroidism, after thyroid removal, thyroid …
• This is important as 32% of patients who think they are on SYNTHROID are actually not given this because substitutions are made at the pharmacy.

Pituitary Thyrotropin (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone, TSH) Suppression

Larger doses may produce serious or even life-threatening manifestationsof toxicity, particularly when given in association with sympathomimetic amines such as those used for their anorectic effects. SYNTHROID® (levothyroxine sodium) tablets, for oral use is a prescription, man-made thyroid hormone that is used to treat a condition called hypothyroidism in adults and children, including infants. It is meant to replace a hormone that is usually made by your thyroid gland. Generally, thyroid replacement treatment is to be taken for life. SYNTHROID should not be used to treat noncancerous growths or enlargement of the thyroid in patients with normal iodine levels, or in cases of temporary hypothyroidism caused by inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis). Absorption of orally administered T4 from the gastrointestinal tract ranges from 40% to 80%.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR HYPOTHYROID MEDICATIONS

DAW codes are codes a pharmacy uses when filling your patient’s prescription. DAW-1 indicates that substitution is not allowed, based on the prescriber’s preference, and ensures your patient will receive the treatment you prescribe. It also helps your patient pay the lowest possible price for the product you write if it is billed through insurance.

SYNTHROID is contraindicated in patients with uncorrected adrenal insufficiency see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS. If cardiac symptoms develop or worsen, reduce the SYNTHROID dose or withhold for one week and restart at a lower dose. Seizures have been reported rarely with the institution of levothyroxine therapy. The peak therapeutic effect of a given dose of SYNTHROID may not be attained for 4 to 6 weeks.

The recommended daily dosage of SYNTHROID in pregnant patients is described in Table 3. Do not administer in foods that decrease absorption of SYNTHROID, such as soybean-based infant formula see DRUG INTERACTIONS. The “optimal dose” was determined for each patient as that dosage of thyroxine being taken when the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) response was normal (ie, an increase in TSH of between 4.7 and 25 mIU/L). I go over with the patient there are treatment goals that are very important in the process. And the other is to improve the clinical symptoms that they’ve been experiencing. Because the long-acting nature of the medication, I do indicate that it may take several months to see an improvement in both of these levels.

Drug Summary

Biotin supplementation is known to interfere with thyroid hormone immunoassays that are based on a biotin and streptavidin interaction, which may result in erroneous thyroid hormone test results. Stop biotin and biotin-containing supplements for at least 2 days prior to thyroid testing. Patients The SYNTHROID dosage is based on the target level of TSH suppression for the stage and clinical status of thyroid cancer.