Thyroid medicines: topping up, or turning down?
Too little thyroid hormone needs replacing; too much needs blocking, calming or removing.
Select any card for the reasoning, what to watch for and an exam tip.
Thyroid medicines
Key points
- Underactive thyroid: levothyroxine, on an empty stomach, with the dose steered by blood tests.
- Overactive thyroid: carbimazole first; propylthiouracil if carbimazole is unsuitable.
- A sore throat or other sign of infection on carbimazole: check the white cell count, and stop if there is neutropenia.
Key takeaway
Levothyroxine on an empty stomach for an underactive thyroid; carbimazole for an overactive one — and a sore throat on carbimazole means a blood count, today.