It is a good idea to be consistent about taking the medicine either on an empty stomach or with food. For older children and adolescents, it is far more important to take the medicine every day than it is to take it on an empty stomach. In infants and babies who feed very frequently, it is unnecessary and often not possible to take the medicine on an empty stomach. It is often recommended that thyroid hormone be given on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before food, because the presence of food in the stomach can decrease the absorption of the medication slightly. Unlike the tablets, the liquid solution of levothyroxine (Tirosint-SOL) does not need to be crushed, but otherwise can be given in the same way. Older children and adolescents should swallow or chew the tablet. Additional liquid should be poured onto or drawn into the spoon, dropper or syringe and given again to the baby to ensure that all of the medicine is given. For small babies, it’s a good idea to squirt the medicine into the side of the mouth against the inner cheek. The mixture should be given to the baby or small child on a spoon, or from a medicine dropper or syringe. It is not recommended that multiple doses are prepared ahead of time and stored as the dose is unreliable if stored. The mixture should be prepared just before it is given. For babies and small children who cannot swallow or chew the pill, parents should crush up each day’s tablet and mix it with about a teaspoon of liquid (e.g. The majority of patients of all ages will be prescribed levothyroxine pills. Adults usually have their levels checked once a year if they are doing well. Very young babies typically have their labs tested every 1 to 2 months until 6 months of age then every 2 to 4 months until the age of 3 years then every 3-12 months until they have finished growing and going through puberty. The goal of therapy is to bring the TSH and T4 levels back to the normal range. Thyroid tests (TSH and sometimes also a T4 or free T4) should be checked regularly for anyone on thyroid hormone replacement, even if they feel well. Follow-up testing is typically recommended 4 to 8 weeks after starting thyroid hormone medicine or after any dose change or sooner for very young infants or if there are concerns for side effects. The dose often changes during childhood and adolescence due to growth, changes in metabolism, and if there is any further damage to the remaining thyroid gland. The dose will be adjusted based on followup thyroid lab tests. The physician uses all of these factors to choose a starting dose of thyroid hormone replacement. Babies with congenital hypothyroidism need higher doses relative to their weight than children with acquired hypothyroidism. Relative to their size, babies and young children need more thyroid hormone than older children and adults. The dose of thyroid hormone replacement needed will depend on the size (weight) and age of the infant or child and the reason the thyroid hormone replacement is needed. The majority of patients, no matter their age, are still prescribed the pill form. The FDA has approved one capsule form (Tirosint) and one liquid form (Tirosint-Sol) of levothyroxine. There are also many brand names available including Synthroid, Levothroid, Levoxyl, and Unithroid. This medication comes in pill form and is available in generic form as levothyroxine. In general, when thyroid hormone treatment is needed, just the T4 form is prescribed. Very rarely, a person will be born without a thyroid gland). in the liver and brain) and happens normally even in people who have thyroid disease or don’t have a thyroid gland (typically, someone who doesn’t have a thyroid gland will have had surgery to remove the gland. This conversion happens outside of the thyroid gland (e.g. T3 is the active hormone that the body uses. The body makes 2 forms of thyroid hormone: levothyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3). It is important, when thyroid hormone replacement is needed, that it is taken every day to keep the hormone levels steady and normal in the body. The healthy thyroid gland makes thyroid hormone all of the time. The goal of thyroid hormone treatment is to replace inadequate amounts of thyroid hormone.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |