RUNNING HEAD: LEVOTHYROXINE FOR HYPOTHYROIDISM Page |1
NR 293
Treatment of Hypothyroidism with Levothyroxine
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR 293 – Pharmacology
Hypothyroidism is a disease in which there is a problem with the production of the
thyroid hormone. Patients with hypothyroidism are typically fatigued, have mild to moderate
weight gain, muscle weakness, trouble with concentration, and are often depressed (Chiovato,
Magi, & Carle, 2019). In order to treat hypothyroidism, medication needs to be prescribed that
mimics the thyroid hormone. A popular medication for patients with hypothyroidism is
levothyroxine. Levothyroxine is a synthetic version of the body's natural thyroxine (T4) hormone
and is indicated to treat primary, secondary, and tertiary hypothyroidism (Eghtedari & Correa,
2020).
Levothyroxine is available in an oral form, which includes capsule, tablet, and solution.
This medication can also be given intravenously and is only used to treat myxedema coma or
severe hypothyroidism (Eghtedari & Correa, 2020). While the patient is on levothyroxine, their
TSH levels need to be checked. TSH levels look at free T3 and T4, which helps identify if
thyroid levels are within normal limits, are too high, or too low (Eghtedari & Correa, 2020). To
maintain a healthy thyroid hormone level, these labs need to be checked periodically for the
duration of treatment. Treatment is lifelong, as there is no cure for hypothyroidism.
Thyroid medications are contraindicated in those who have uncorrected adrenal
insufficiency, patients with acute myocardial infarction, acute myocarditis, and people with
thyrotoxicosis or hyperthyroidism (Eghtedari & Correa, 2020). There are some adverse effects of
levothyroxine, including anxiety, tachycardia, irritability, reduced fertility, decreased bone
NR 293
Treatment of Hypothyroidism with Levothyroxine
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR 293 – Pharmacology
Hypothyroidism is a disease in which there is a problem with the production of the
thyroid hormone. Patients with hypothyroidism are typically fatigued, have mild to moderate
weight gain, muscle weakness, trouble with concentration, and are often depressed (Chiovato,
Magi, & Carle, 2019). In order to treat hypothyroidism, medication needs to be prescribed that
mimics the thyroid hormone. A popular medication for patients with hypothyroidism is
levothyroxine. Levothyroxine is a synthetic version of the body's natural thyroxine (T4) hormone
and is indicated to treat primary, secondary, and tertiary hypothyroidism (Eghtedari & Correa,
2020).
Levothyroxine is available in an oral form, which includes capsule, tablet, and solution.
This medication can also be given intravenously and is only used to treat myxedema coma or
severe hypothyroidism (Eghtedari & Correa, 2020). While the patient is on levothyroxine, their
TSH levels need to be checked. TSH levels look at free T3 and T4, which helps identify if
thyroid levels are within normal limits, are too high, or too low (Eghtedari & Correa, 2020). To
maintain a healthy thyroid hormone level, these labs need to be checked periodically for the
duration of treatment. Treatment is lifelong, as there is no cure for hypothyroidism.
Thyroid medications are contraindicated in those who have uncorrected adrenal
insufficiency, patients with acute myocardial infarction, acute myocarditis, and people with
thyrotoxicosis or hyperthyroidism (Eghtedari & Correa, 2020). There are some adverse effects of
levothyroxine, including anxiety, tachycardia, irritability, reduced fertility, decreased bone
