Commonly known under its brand name Thyrolar, Liotrix is prescribed to sufferers of low thyroid function. In contrast to other drugs that aim to replicate either T3 or T4, Liotrix combines synthetic forms of both thyroid hormones.
If your doctor prescribes you Liotrix or Thyrolar, be sure to read the accompanying leaflet and follow your doctor’s advice. However, here is some basic information on how to take it, how it works and possible side effects.
Liotrix is a form of Hormone Replacement Therapy. All that really means is topping up your body’s levels of a certain hormone when it is running low. In this case it is the two thyroid hormones that are being replaced - Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3).
Hypothyroidism is a deficiency in one or both of the thyroid hormones. This is what results in the low energy, fatigue, depression and other symptoms that are exhibited by sufferers of Hypothyroidism.
By ‘topping up’ your body’s supply of Thyroxine and Triiodothyronine, Liotrix is designed to cure this deficiency and eliminate those troublesome symptoms.
The usual advice is to take Liotrix once a day and on an empty stomach. The best time is before breakfast. However you make sure that you follow your physician’s advice.
Your doctor may also start you on a lower dose of Liotrix to see how you react, before moving you on to a more appropriate dosage.
Side effects of Liotrix may include headaches, chest pain, shortness of breath or weight loss. If you experience any of these, your dosage may be too high. Low thyroid sufferers who overcompensate will actually start to experience hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid medicine may also make your other medications act differently. This is because the thyroid directly affects the way that your body breaks down chemicals. Typically, Hypothyroidism reduces the effect of drugs on your body.
If you are suffering from any side effects, it is always advisable to consult your doctor.
Although you might find generic versions of Liotrix, the only brand name that it is currently marketed under is Thyrolar.
Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of Thyroxine (T4), the thyroid hormone that controls your metabolic processes and influences physical development.
Liothyronine is a synthetic hormone used to replace the most potent thyroid hormone, Triiodothyronine (T3).
The thyroid hormone in these products is completely natural, and actually comes from pigs. Many patients prefer this to the idea of synthetic drugs.
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