Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy

Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy – HRT Not For Menopause

A significant number of people suffer from thyroid diseases and abnormalities, one of which is hypothyroidism. This is a condition where the body produces insufficient thyroid hormone blood levels, and thyroid hormone replacement therapy is needed to fill this deficiency. The tablets for thyroid HRT are tiny and come in several doses to enable accurate dosing. However, if you are taking such treatment, you must somehow have a grasp of how to ensure the correct and optimal dosing for your specific case. Here’s how:

Stable Dose of Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy

You will know that you have attained your specific stable dose of thyroid hormone replacement therapy when your thyroid blood tests show that your level has normalized and your symptoms have resolved. You can proceed with this dose for years, unless there are changes in your condition along the way, such as new medications and other health conditions and diseases.

When To Lower Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy Dosing?

There are a number of cases where you need to reduce your dose for this type of HRT. For instance, as you advance in age, your dosage requirements go down. Women under androgen therapy for breast cancer would also need to lower their dosing for thyroid HRT.

When To Increase Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy Dosing?

There are more factors that can require you to increase thyroid HRT than decrease it; these include certain types of medication. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are suffering from a gastrointestinal disorder, as an increase in dosage may be in order for these cases. Also consult your doctor on your dosage increase if you are taking any of these medications:

• Amiodarone
• Antacids
• Cholesterol lowering medications
• Iron
• Seizure medications
• Sucralfate

Even if you have been used to a certain dosage for your intake of thyroid hormone replacement, be aware that you may need to increase or decrease it. Should there be changes in your health and should you be taking new medicines prescribed by other health professionals, it is imperative that you inform your endocrinologist or internist who is managing your hypothyroidism about them. Correctly adjusting your dosage ensures that you do not get under- or overdosed.

To get the most out of your thyroid hormone replacement therapy, take it on an empty stomach at the same time each day as recommended by health specialists. If possible, do not take it together with other medications. The cations, such as potassium and calcium, in your multivitamins hinder the absorption of the thyroid HRT, rendering it less effective. So if you have just taken your multivitamins, wait for several hours before taking your HRT, and vice-versa. Be aware that antacids also have cations, such as magnesium and aluminum, so also distance your intake of thyroid HRT with that of the antacids.

Side Effects of Thyroid Replacement Therapy

With close monitoring thyroid replacement can be admininistered without many side effects. Most common side effects include palpitations of the heart, increase blood pressure, and anxiety all of which respond to simply lowering the dose of thyroid replacement.

The efficacy of thyroid hormone replacement therapy has been proven in most of the cases. However, to ensure that you get its maximum effects, it is imperative that you consider other variables that could alter the effects of the treatment and notify your doctor about them when they occur.

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