Thyroid hormone drugs are drugs that contain levothyroxine , a synthetic analogue of T4 (thyroxine). Endocrinologists prescribe them to patients who produce an insufficient amount of their own biologically active substances. Medication is started with minimal doses. Correct them based on the test results. Blood for thyroid hormones during replacement therapy must be donated at least 4 times a year, and once every six months, the condition of the organ must be checked for ultrasound.

For what diseases is replacement therapy needed

There are not many conditions in which doctors prescribe hormones, but they are very serious. So, insufficient production of its own hormones by the endocrine organ provokes an unstable emotional state, causes a breakdown, deterioration of attention, general weakness. Other serious consequences of hypothyroidism are myxedema (threatening adults), cretinism (in children), obesity.

In order to prevent dangerous complications, you need to drink drugs that contain synthetic hormones.

Most often, hypothyroidism develops against the background of an inflammation of the thyroid gland of an autoimmune nature. With this pathology, gland cells are destroyed, instead of them nodules are formed that do not synthesize hormones. The more the glandular tissue is altered in autoimmune thyroiditis, the greater the deficit.

Thyroid cancer is treated with surgery. Depending on the location and size of the malignant neoplasm, part or all of the gland is removed completely. As a result, hormone deficiency occurs, and substitution drugs are required.

Other causes of hypothyroidism include:

• lack of iodine in food, water, air;
• insufficient intake of selenium with food;
• violation of the synthesis of the hormone thyrotropin in the pituitary gland;
• the action of the Epstein-Barr virus.

Thyroid hormone tablets

Medicines that contain thyroid hormones are prescribed exclusively after examination – blood tests, ultrasound. You cannot choose the drug or dosage yourself. The doctor recommends the medication and calculates the required dose for each person individually.

They take substitution drugs for a long time, many require lifelong hormone therapy.

During treatment, you must carefully monitor your well-being. If unpleasant symptoms occur from the cardiovascular or other systems, you should immediately consult an endocrinologist.

Possible side effects while taking medication-hormones of the gland are manifested by similar symptoms:

• allergies (skin rashes, itching and swelling of the mucous membranes);
• heart palpitations:
• insomnia, nervousness, headache;
• muscle weakness, cramps;
• hot flashes (sudden heat), collapse.

L-Thyroxine

Tablets containing thyroid hormone T4 ( levothyroxine sodium) in a dosage of 50 to 150 mcg. Levothyroxine works in the same way as a natural hormone. The drug is absorbed in the upper intestine, completely excreted in the feces and urine in 14 days. It is recommended to take levothyroxine on an empty stomach (the drug is absorbed by 80 percent or more).

The hormonal agent is prescribed for children with congenital pathologies of the endocrine organ. Babies are given a suspension or tablets, ground into powder and diluted with water (after 3 years). Children take medicine no later than half an hour before the first meal in the morning.

A hormone is prescribed for:

• benign glandular hyperplasia with insufficient organ function;
• for the prevention of recurrent goiter, cancer after resection of the gland;
• as a means of replacement therapy for hypothyroidism of various nature.

Levothyroxine is used during a thyroid suppression test.

Treatment of the thyroid gland with a hormonal drug is started with a minimum dose. After 2-4 weeks, it is increased, gradually bringing it to one that compensates for the deficit.

A contraindication for taking L-Thyroxine is an abnormal sensitivity to drug components, untreated conditions of any origin:

• insufficient function of the pituitary gland, adrenal cortex;
• hyperthyroidism;
• acute heart failure;
• myocarditis, pancarditis in the acute period.

Pregnant women should not take levothyroxine and thyrostatic drugs at the same time . While taking high doses of other medicines (Amiodarone, Furosemide, tyrosine kinase inhibitors , salicylates), the function of the endocrine gland should be checked regularly.

Eutirox

Eutirox tablets contain levothyroxine sodium in a dose of 25 to 150 μg. The drug is prescribed for hypothyroidism, euthyroid goiter. It is necessary to take a synthetic hormone after removing the entire gland or its lobe, during suppressive treatment for diffuse toxic goiter.

In the list of contraindications to Eutirox :

• allergy to the composition of the drug;
• untreated pituitary, adrenal deficiency, thyrotoxicosis;
• acute heart attack.

It is forbidden to use Eutirox for people with lactose intolerance, as well as for pregnant women while taking drugs that suppress the activity of the thyroid gland.

Caution during treatment with the hormone in the composition of Eutirox should be shown to people suffering from vascular pathologies, arrhythmias, diabetes mellitus, as well as with an advanced form of hypothyroidism.

Thyrocomb

The combined hormonal preparation contains:

• levothyroxine sodium (at a dosage of 0.07 mg);
• liothyronine (0.01 mg);
• potassium iodide (0.15 mg).

The drug is prescribed for diseases of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), which have arisen against the background of iodine deficiency, with non-toxic diffuse goiter. Recommend taking Tireocomb after resection of the endocrine organ.

Contraindications for taking a combined hormonal agent:

• acute conditions – myocardial infarction, myocarditis;
• thyrotoxicosis;
• Dühring’s dermatitis (herpetiformis);
• severe angina pectoris;
• impaired renal function in the absence of therapy.

Adverse reactions with the correct selection of the dose of Thyrocomba occur extremely rarely. Possible undesirable effects include allergies, worsening of the condition in patients with heart failure and angina pectoris. Symptoms of hypersensitivity to iodine are possible – rhinitis, dermatitis, fever, acne, Quincke’s edema.

Triiodothyronine

The medicine contains the thyroid hormone liothyronine at a dosage of 50 mcg (1 table). Triiodothyronine is prescribed for benign thyroid hyperplasia without dysfunction, for the prevention of recurrent goiter after resection and treatment with radioactive iodine. Triiodothyronine is also part of the complex therapy for toxic goiter (prescribed after thyreostatics ).

The list of contraindications to Triiodothyronine includes:

• hypersensitivity to drug components;
• hyperthyroidism (before hormone levels are reduced by thyreostatics );
• acute period of myocardial infarction, myocarditis, angina pectoris;
• adrenal insufficiency;
• cachexia.

Triiodothyronine is carefully prescribed for people with diabetes mellitus (insulin sensitivity decreases).

Side effects of taking the hormone:

• headache;
• heart palpitations;
• arrhythmia, angina pectoris;
• allergic reactions;
• pain in the lower abdomen on the eve and in the first days of menstruation in women;
• weight loss.

Iodtirox

Oblong tablets contain a combination of two main substances – the hormone levothyroxine (dose 0.1 mg) and potassium iodide (0.131 mg). Prescribe a remedy for a deficiency of its own hormones produced by the gland – triiodothyronine, tetraiodothyronine , and iodine. In the list of indications for taking Yodtirox :

• hypertrophy of the thyroid gland without dysfunction in children, adults, pregnant women against the background of iodine deficiency;
• hypothyroidism;
• prevention of recurrent goiter after resection of the gland.

It is forbidden to take Iodtirox when:

• hypersensitivity to the components of the medication;
• any form of thyrotoxicosis;
• autonomous adenomas in the gland;
• acute myocarditis;
• heart attack;
• untreated adrenal insufficiency;
• Duhring’s disease.

Thyroid

Thyrotome tablets contain a combination of synthetic thyrohormones – sodium levothyroxine (40 μg) and liothyronine (10 μg).

A combined agent is prescribed for hypothyroidism, regardless of its origin, as well as for the treatment of euthyroid goiter. The indication for taking pills is the need for HRT and the prevention of recurrence after thyroidectomy .

Contraindications for taking Thyrotome :

• hypersensitivity to drug components;
• thyrotoxicosis;
• heart disease in the acute period;
• insufficient adrenal function.

Side effects during treatment with Thyrotome are rare if the correct dose has been determined. Allergic reactions, negative manifestations from the heart (tachycardia, arrhythmia) are possible.

Ancillary drugs for hypothyroidism

Since the most common cause of hypothyroidism is iodine deficiency, in parallel with hormonal drugs, doctors prescribe iodine-containing drugs:

• Iodomarin ;
• Iod-Active;
• kelp in tablets, powder.

Homeopathic remedies – Strumel T, Thyroid Compositum help to cope with the disease of the thyroid gland . They are used in parallel with the main treatment.