Treating Hypothyroidism

In general, hypothyroidism is treated with daily doses of thyroid hormone replacement therapy, levothyroxine. Since thyroid cells cannot regenerate, the patient must take hormone replacement therapy for the rest of their life. The goal of treatment is to normalise the thyroid function.  

The thyroxine dose may need to be adjusted over a period of time. The only side effects are related to inappropriate doses of thyroxine: if there is too little, the hypothyroidism persists; and if there is too much, hyperthyroidism occurs.  

Dose adjustment is performed every 6-8 weeks at the beginning of treatment. Each time the thyroxine dose is changed and once stable levels are reached, it is monitored on an annual or biannual  basis by measuring TSH and, in some cases, also T4L. In any case, the medical team should be informed if the daily treatment is not being taken, so that the dose can be adjusted appropriately.  

Levothyroxine should be taken daily in the morning, on an empty stomach, and the patient should wait about 20 minutes before eating breakfast.  

Not all cases of hypothyroidism require levothyroxine replacement therapy. This is determined by the TSH and T4L levels, the symptoms, and other factors.