A friend told Hanako that after she suffered from hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism), the doctor told her to take levothyroxine every day and could not stop the drug. She asked Huazi if levothyroxine is a hormone, and whether long-term use will have side effects?
Huazi said that although levothyroxine is a hormone, it is not the same as what we usually call a hormone. By hormone abuse, we mean glucocorticoids that can cause harm to the body when used for a long time. Levothyroxine is not a glucocorticoid and is safe for the human body when used reasonably for a long time.
First, why can't levothyroxine stop
There are two kinds of thyroid hormones in the human body, one is tetraiodothyronine (T4), one is triiodothyronine (T3), and the physiological activity is mainly T3.
Levothyroxine is the most commonly used substitute for thyroid hormones in the human body, in terms of physiological activity and chemical properties, levothyroxine is completely consistent with the body's natural T4, and will be converted into T3 after entering the human body to play a physiological role.
Therefore, when our own thyroid hormones are insufficient, reasonable supplementation of levothyroxine will not cause adverse effects on the body, because levothyroxine is the "own person" of the human body.
There are many causes of hypothyroidism, common including Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid tumors, thyroid surgery, and post-iodine therapy. These diseases can cause permanent damage to the thyroid gland, so the vast majority of people can not reverse the hypothyroidism, need to undergo lifelong alternative treatment, take levothyroxine every day, can not stop the drug.
The rational use of levothyroxine can simulate the secretion of thyroid hormones in the human body and will not cause health effects. Moreover, levothyroxine will not damage liver and kidney function when metabolized, and the safety is very good.
Second, take levothyroxine can not be more nor less
Thyroid hormone is the hormone responsible for the growth and development of the body, metabolism, and the role of levothyroxine is to replace the body's insufficient secretion of thyroid hormones. Be careful when taking, not more and no less.
If you take too much, it will cause hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism), cause tachycardia, palpitations, facial flushing, body sweating, headache, insomnia, weight loss and other symptoms, severe cases will lead to malignant arrhythmias.
If insufficient use, hypothyroidism symptoms are difficult to alleviate, there will be chills and fatigue, slow response, low mood, dry skin and other situations. Hypothyroidism can also cause elevated blood lipids, bradycardia, and in severe cases, respiratory failure and heart failure.
3. What to pay attention to when taking levothyroxine
The best time to take levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach half an hour before breakfast daily. Take a one-day dose with disposable water. However, modern life is busy, if you can't leave enough time for fasting in the morning, you can also change to taking medicine on an empty stomach before going to bed.
The half-life of levothyroxine is 7 days, and after adhering to the daily regular medication, the blood concentration will reach a stable "ping value". If occasional missed doses occur, guidelines recommend doubling the dose the next day.
However, when taking double doses, some patients develop hyperthyroid symptoms. So now in practical application, if you only miss one day, you can not double the drug the next day, just take it according to the normal amount, and it will not affect the treatment. However, if the drug is missed for many consecutive days, it is necessary to double the drug for many consecutive days until the dose of the missed drug is completed.
To sum up, levothyroxine, although it is a hormone, does not cause harm to the human body when used fairly. People with hypothyroidism require lifelong replacement therapy and cannot be discontinued. When taking drugs, you need to choose the appropriate dosage according to your own condition under the guidance of a doctor, and you cannot take more or less. If you have any questions about medication, please consult a doctor and pharmacist. I am a pharmacist Huazi, welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.