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Hypothyroidism is a condition characterized by abnormally low thyroid hormone production. There are many disorders that result in hypothyroidism. These disorders may directly or indirectly involve the thyroid gland. Because thyroid hormone affects growth, development, and many cellular processes, inadequate thyroid hormone has widespread consequences for the body.
This article will focus specifically on hypothyroidism in adults.
Thyroid hormones are produced by the thyroid gland. This gland is located in the lower part of the neck, below the Adam's apple. The gland wraps around the windpipe (trachea) and has a shape that is similar to a butterfly - formed by two wings (lobes) and attached by a middle part (isthmus).
The thyroid gland uses iodine (mostly available from the diet in foods such as seafood, bread, and salt) to produce thyroid hormones....
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Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: androgens/anabolic steroids, beta blockers (e.g., propranolol), "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone), cytokines (e.g., interferon-alpha, interleukin-2), diabetes medications (e.g., insulin, sulfonylureas such as glyburide/glipizide), digoxin, drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove liotrix from your body (such as phenobarbital, rifamycins including rifabutin, certain anti-seizure medicines including carbamazepine/phenytoin), drugs that can decrease thyroid hormone levels (e.g., amiodarone, medications containing iodide/iodine, lithium), estrogen-containing products (including birth control pills), growth hormones, medications for depression (e.g., maprotiline, tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, SSRIs such as sertraline), theophylline.
Certain medications (cholestyramine, colestipol, antacids, sucralfate, simethicone, iron, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, calcium carbonate, orlistat) can decrease the amount of liotrix that is absorbed by your body . If you are taking any of these drugs, separate them from this medication by at least 4 hours.
Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients such as decongestants or caffeine that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness, confusion, slurred speech, seizures.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., thyroid stimulating hormone-TSH levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up unless your doctor instructs you to do so. Call your doctor if you miss 2 or more doses in a row. Ask your doctor ahead of time what to do about a missed dose and follow your doctor's specific directions.
STORAGE: Store in the refrigerator between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C) away from light. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Information last revised May 2010 Copyright(c) 2010 First DataBank, Inc.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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