Understanding thyroxine for hypothyroidism
Have you been prescribed thyroxine for your underactive thyroid? When you’re given medication, it’s important to understand what you’re taking and how to tell if it’s the best option for you. That’s why I’ve gathered some important information about this commonly prescribed thyroid replacement therapy.
What is thyroxine?
Thyroxine or T4 is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. In medication form, the generic name is levothyroxine.
T4 is what is known as a pro-drug. It needs to be converted to T3, the active form of thyroid hormone, before the body can utilise it. However, this conversion varies from person to person, so how much thyroxine you need for healthy T3 levels is often more of an art than a science! It needs to be tailored based on your blood test results and how you feel.
Why is thyroxine used for hypothyroidism?
It’s obvious why you want to treat low thyroid hormone levels by adding thyroid hormones in. But why do we specifically turn to thyroxine to achieve this outcome?
There are a few reasons why thyroxine is the go-to for treatment of any form of hypothyroidism. These include:
A form that is biologically identical to thyroxine produced in the body, despite being a synthetically produced form
Longer half-life allows you to take one dose per day, rather than multiple doses
The greatest evidence for being well-tolerated and few side effects when dosed correctly
More affordable and accessible than other thyroid hormone replacements
Some also point out that thyroxine is less likely to cause hyperthyroid symptoms than options that include T3, because the body can convert T4 to the inactive reverse T3 when levels are too high.
Is thyroxine the only option?
No, although it is the first option that your doctor will typically start with due to the reasons mentioned above. There are other options including compounded T4 & T3, T3 only and desiccated thyroid extract (NDT).
Is thyroxine the best option for hypothyroidism?
This depends on you as an individual. There are some people who do well on thyroxine for many years or even the rest of their lives! But that is not the case for everybody.
There are studies showing that 15% of people with hypothyroidism who are on thyroxine still experience hypothyroid symptoms, even when their TSH levels are within range. On top of this, some will also have impaired psychological wellbeing anxiety and/or depression.
Some reasons for this include optimal T3 levels requiring a higher dose of medication, health issues that interfere with thyroid conversion, or even cellular hypothyroidism.
Another potential downside of thyroxine is that it not only has to be absorbed, but converted as well. If you have health issues or deficiencies that hamper your body’s ability to convert the thyroxine into an active form, you may not get the relief you need.
If you are experiencing hypothyroid symptoms while on thyroxine, speak to your specialist. You should not have to put up with symptoms despite being on medication that is supposed to address the problem! Learn more about why you still experience thyroid symptoms here.
What should I know if I’m taking thyroxine?
There are a few important things to understand here:
You will need ongoing monitoring to ensure your levels are optimal. This can change over time, so you’ll require regular blood tests to check your levels, particularly if you experience any symptoms.
Even though it’s identical to your own internally produced hormone, taking thyroxine can still interfere and interact with other medications. Make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist about potential interactions if you are taking anything apart from thyroxine.
Supporting absorption and conversion is key to minimising hypothyroid symptoms! You can learn more of my tips around thyroxine here.
If thyroxine alone is not alleviating your symptoms, you need to speak to a specialist about other options that may be more helpful for your individual needs.
THE POWER IS IN YOUR HANDS
When you receive a thyroid disease diagnosis, there’s a good chance you’ll feel overwhelmed and powerless. It could even be that you’re not clear on what’s driving it or where it came from!
But even if you’re still uncovering the cause, it doesn’t mean you need to suffer the symptoms forever! Your daily habits can make a massive difference – all you need to do is learn about your condition and empower yourself.