Symptom Finder - Treatment of Hypothyroidism
HYPOTHYROIDISM
1. Levothyroxine (Synthroid): 25–50 μg daily initially and gradually increase by 25 μg every 2–3 weeks based on the TSH level until a
dose of 1.6 μg/kg/day is reached. Adjusting dosage purely on the basis of the TSH can be misleading.
2. Some patients may benefit from higher doses based on the clinical picture.
3. Monthly TSH and serum free T4 levels will assist in getting the optimum dose.
4. Children and obese patients may need up to 4 μg/kg/day while the elderly require less than average doses.
5. Myxedema coma requires an endocrinology consult.
6. Occasionally, patients may do better with desiccated thyroid 60– 120 mg daily instead of levothyroxine.
7. The substitution of triiodothyronine (Cytomel) up to 125 μg daily for 50 μg of levothyroxine has helped some patients with this disease.
1. Levothyroxine (Synthroid): 25–50 μg daily initially and gradually increase by 25 μg every 2–3 weeks based on the TSH level until a
dose of 1.6 μg/kg/day is reached. Adjusting dosage purely on the basis of the TSH can be misleading.
2. Some patients may benefit from higher doses based on the clinical picture.
3. Monthly TSH and serum free T4 levels will assist in getting the optimum dose.
4. Children and obese patients may need up to 4 μg/kg/day while the elderly require less than average doses.
5. Myxedema coma requires an endocrinology consult.
6. Occasionally, patients may do better with desiccated thyroid 60– 120 mg daily instead of levothyroxine.
7. The substitution of triiodothyronine (Cytomel) up to 125 μg daily for 50 μg of levothyroxine has helped some patients with this disease.
