Understanding Hypothyroidism
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Understanding
Hypothyroidism
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How does hypothyroidism affect me?
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck, just below the voice box or larynx. Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, occurs when your thyroid gland is not making enough of your thyroid hormones, primarily thyroxine (T4). The role of your thyroid hormones is to regulate metabolism, or the way your body uses energy. Not having enough thyroid hormone causes the body’s system to slow down and can lead to a variety of symptoms.
QUICK HEALTH CHECK!
Do you have any of these common symptoms?*
Dry, coarse, brittle hair
Hair loss
Memory problems/slow thinking
Snoring
Less energy/more fatigue
Muscle cramps and joint aches
Loss of appetite
Constipation
Puffiness of the face, hands, ankles, and feet
Weight gain/difficulty losing weight
Dry, itchy skin
Pins and needles in the hands and feet
*This is not a complete list. These may be symptoms of hypothyroidism and you may have other symptoms that may be related to hypothyroidism. These symptoms may also be related to conditions other than hypothyroidism. Only a doctor can diagnose hypothyroidism. If you have concerns about any of the symptoms you are experiencing, please talk with your doctor.
What are the goals of treatment?
One of the main goals of treating hypothyroidism is to replace or provide more of the T4 that the thyroid gland can no longer make.
Levothyroxine is a synthetic version of T4 used for long-term treatment. Managing hypothyroidism with levothyroxine requires taking a precise dose of your prescribed therapy every day.
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After starting levothyroxine treatment, your doctor can tell how well it is replacing T4 by monitoring another hormone called thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland in response to low levels of T4.
As part of your treatment journey, your doctor will sometimes have you do blood tests to monitor your levels of T4 and TSH. The goal is to get these lab values to within a normal range.
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TSH and other blood tests are important because they help determine what dose of medication is right for you
In other words, normal levels of TSH are a sign that you are getting the right amount of levothyroxine. While you are on treatment, it is possible for TSH levels to fluctuate, so it is important to have levels tested periodically. These tests will determine whether any dose adjustments or medication changes need to be made.
What happens when symptoms persist?
Lab values are not the only measure of treatment success. Even when lab values are normal, some people continue to experience symptoms that disrupt their lives. Resolving these symptoms is one of the primary goals of treatment.
Because symptoms of hypothyroidism can disguise themselves as everyday ailments, they can be overlooked or not discussed during doctor visits.
Tell your doctor if you have persistent symptoms because this can help them understand if your treatment is working. It is important to tell your doctor about any symptoms you are experiencing. Take our interactive quiz to help you start a discussion.
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USE
TIROSINT is a prescription medicine that contains a man-made hormone called levothyroxine which replaces the hormone that is normally produced in your body by the thyroid gland. It is used to treat adults and children 6 years of age and older:
- To replace or give extra levothyroxine in people whose thyroid gland does not naturally produce enough (a condition called hypothyroidism).
- Who need surgery and radioiodine therapy to manage a type of thyroid cancer called thyroid-dependent well-differentiated thyroid cancer.
Who should not use TIROSINT:
TIROSINT is not for use in people with temporary hypothyroidism caused by thyroiditis or inflammation of the thyroid gland.
TIROSINT is not recommended to treat benign thyroid growths or enlargement of the thyroid gland in patients with sufficient iodine levels.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information you should know about TIROSINT?
NOT FOR TREATMENT OF OBESITY OR FOR WEIGHT LOSS
Thyroid hormones, including TIROSINT, should not be used either alone or in combination with other medications for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss.
In patients with normal thyroid levels, doses within the range of daily hormonal requirements are not helpful for weight loss.
Larger doses may result in serious or even life threatening events, especially when used in combination with certain other medications to reduce appetite.
Do not take more TIROSINT than your doctor prescribes. Overdosage or taking too much TIROSINT may cause life-threatening side effects or death.
TIROSINT should not be used by children less than 6 years of age or who cannot swallow an intact capsule. TIROSINT is also not for use in people with temporary hypothyroidism caused by thyroiditis or inflammation of the thyroid gland.
Do not take TIROSINT if your adrenal glands are not working well and you have not been treated with glucocorticoid replacement for this problem.
Before you take TIROSINT, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you: Currently have or have previously had heart problems; currently have or have previously had thyroid nodules; have kidney or pituitary gland problems; have any food or drug allergies; have a low red blood cell count; have diabetes; have weak or weakening bones (osteoporosis); currently have or have previously had a history of blood clotting problems.
Also tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. TIROSINT may harm your unborn baby. Your doctor may need to change your TIROSINT dose while you are pregnant. TIROSINT passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take TIROSINT.
It is important that you tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TIROSINT may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how TIROSINT works. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of medicines that may interact with TIROSINT.
Certain foods may affect the way that your body absorbs TIROSINT. These include:
- Soybean flour
- Cottonseed meal
- Walnuts
- Dietary fiber
- Grapefruits or grapefruit juice
Tell your healthcare provider if you regularly eat these foods, as they may require your dose of TIROSINT to be adjusted.
Important information about taking TIROSINT:
You should take TIROSINT exactly as your doctor tells you to take it. Your doctor will tell you how much TIROSINT to take each day. You should not stop taking TIROSINT or change your dose unless your doctor tells you to.
Take TIROSINT once each day, on an empty stomach, approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour before breakfast.
Certain medicines can interfere with how TIROSINT is absorbed by your body. Take TIROSINT: At least 4 hours before or after you take medicines or supplements that contain calcium or iron (ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, etc.); and at least 4 hours before you take medicines that contain bile acid sequestrants or ion exchange resins. Ask your doctor if you are not sure whether any medicines you are taking may contain these ingredients. Your doctor should do certain blood tests while you are taking TIROSINT and may change your daily dose of TIROSINT as needed.
What are the possible side effects of TIROSINT?
The most common side effects of TIROSINT include irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, leg cramps, headache, nervousness, irritability, sleep problems (insomnia), tremors, muscle weakness, change in appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating a lot, heat intolerance, fever, changes in menstrual period, and hives or skin rash.
TIROSINT may cause serious side effects, including heart problems. Your risk for these problems may be greater if you are elderly, have heart problems, or if you take too much TIROSINT. Tell your doctor right away if you develop heart problems, as your doctor may choose to reduce your dose or stop treatment with TIROSINT.
TIROSINT may also cause worsening of blood sugar control in diabetic patients and weak or brittle bones. Tell your doctor if you are diabetic or if you already have weak or brittle bones (osteoporosis) before taking TIROSINT.
Partial hair loss may occur during the first months of treatment with TIROSINT. This is usually temporary and lasts a short period
of time.
USE ONLY AS DIRECTED BY YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. These are not all the possible side effects of TIROSINT.
Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or for medical advice about side effects.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. For more dosing information, please see the accompanying Full Prescribing Information and Patient Information.
Please click here for Full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING, for TIROSINT.
References: 1. Jonklaas J, Bianco AC, Bauer AJ, et al. Guidelines for the treatment of hypothyroidism: prepared by the American Thyroid Association Task Force on Thyroid Hormone Replacement. Thyroid. 2014;24(12):1670-1751. doi:10.1089/thy.2014.0028 2. TIROSINT. Prescribing information. Institut Biochimique SA (IBSA); 2022.
References: 1. TIROSINT. Prescribing information. Institut Biochimique SA (IBSA); 2022. 2. Data on file, Institut Biochimique SA (IBSA).
References: 1. Jonklaas J, Bianco AC, Bauer AJ, et al. Guidelines for the treatment of hypothyroidism: prepared by the American Thyroid Association Task Force on Thyroid Hormone Replacement. Thyroid. 2014;24(12):1670-1751. doi:10.1089/thy.2014.0028 2. TIROSINT. Prescribing information. Institut Biochimique SA (IBSA); 2022.
