Health Topics. Health Tools. By Beth W. Reviewed: January 30, Medically Reviewed. Thyroxine, Triiodothyronine, and TSH Levels The main job of the thyroid gland is to make the hormone thyroxine, also known as T4 because it has four iodine molecules. Doctors can treat hypothyroidism with medications, such as levothyroxine, that replace the missing thyroid hormones.
A person should take this medication once a day, or as prescribed by their doctor. The doctor will monitor how well the treatment is working by running additional blood tests every few months. According to the Food and Drug Administration FDA , people should take levothyroxine once a day: in the morning and on an empty stomach, at least half an hour before eating. They recommend that a person tells their doctor if they eat soybean flour, walnuts, dietary fiber, or cottonseed meal, as these can affect how the body processes levothyroxine.
Treatments for hyperthyroidism focus on reducing thyroid hormone levels to prevent long term health complications. A person may need to take beta-blockers and antithyroid medications. Another effective treatment is radioiodine therapy. This involves taking a capsule or liquid that contains radioactive iodine, which destroys cells that produce thyroid hormones. However, people who take radioiodine therapy may develop hypothyroidism in the future.
Surgical removal of the thyroid gland can treat severe hyperthyroidism. Doctors often reserve this for people who cannot take first-line medications, such as during pregnancy. A TSH test measures the amount of the hormone in the blood. Doctors can use the results to diagnose thyroid conditions, such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Reference ranges remain controversial, but for most people, the normal range falls between 0.
Having an overactive or underactive thyroid can cause health issues that interfere with daily life. During pregnancy, unusually high or low TSH levels can lead to complications. Some supplements that claim to boost thyroid health are now commercially available. However, they could lead to dangerous complications. Learn more. The thyroid gland produces hormones that affect metabolism, mood, breathing, heart rate, and more.
Learn more about thyroid gland function. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located near your throat. Your thyroid makes hormones that regulate the way your body uses energy. It also plays an important role in regulating your weight, body temperature, muscle strength, and even your mood. TSH is made in a gland in the brain called the pituitary. When thyroid levels in your body are low, the pituitary gland makes more TSH.
When thyroid levels are high, the pituitary gland makes less TSH. TSH levels that are too high or too low can indicate your thyroid isn't working correctly. You may need a TSH test if you have symptoms of too much thyroid hormone in your blood hyperthyroidism , or too little thyroid hormone hypothyroidism. A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle.
After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out.
This usually takes less than five minutes. You don't need any special preparations for a TSH blood test. The medication gradually lowers cholesterol levels elevated by the disease and may reverse any weight gain. Treatment with levothyroxine will likely be lifelong, but because the dosage you need may change, your doctor is likely to check your TSH level every year. To determine the right dosage of levothyroxine initially, your doctor generally checks your level of TSH after six to eight weeks.
After that, blood levels are generally checked six months later. Excessive amounts of the hormone can cause side effects, such as:. If you have coronary artery disease or severe hypothyroidism, your doctor may start treatment with a smaller amount of medication and gradually increase the dosage. Progressive hormone replacement allows your heart to adjust to the increase in metabolism. Levothyroxine causes virtually no side effects when used in the appropriate dose and is relatively inexpensive.
If you change brands, let your doctor know to ensure you're still receiving the right dosage. Also, don't skip doses or stop taking the drug because you're feeling better. If you do, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will gradually return. Certain medications, supplements and even some foods may affect your ability to absorb levothyroxine. Talk to your doctor if you eat large amounts of soy products or a high-fiber diet or you take other medications, such as:.
Levothyroxine is best taken on an empty stomach at the same time every day. Ideally, you'll take the hormone in the morning and wait an hour before eating or taking other medications. If you take it at bedtime, wait four hours after your last meal or snack. If you have subclinical hypothyroidism, discuss treatment with your doctor. For a relatively mild increase in TSH, you probably won't benefit from thyroid hormone therapy, and treatment could even be harmful.
On the other hand, for a higher TSH level, thyroid hormones may improve your cholesterol level, the pumping ability of your heart and your energy level. Although most doctors recommend synthetic thyroxine, natural extracts containing thyroid hormone derived from the thyroid glands of pigs are available.
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