Thyroid Problems

Synthetic Thyroxine Drug Vs. Natural Thyroxine

What Is Thyroxine Hormone?

What does thyroxine do? Thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland to regulate metabolism. It is one of the two major hormones secreted by the thyroid. The other is known as the other is triiodothyronine. Thyroxine’s principal function is to stimulate the consumption of oxygen and thus the metabolism of all cells and tissues in the body. Too much thyroxine causes a condition called hyperthyroidism (also called high thyroid or overactive thyroid). When your thyroid doesn't produce enough thyroxine, you'll develop hypothyroidism (known as low thyroid or underactive thyroid).

Synthetic thyroxine, or the thyroxine drug, combats the symptoms of hypothyroidism (also known as underactive thyroid or low thyroid). Synthetic versions are used to clinically to treat thyroid gland deficiency diseases in adults and in the treatment of cretinism in children.

Common thyroxine brand names include Cytomel, Levotabs, Levothroid, Levoxyl, and Synthroid.

Generally speaking, it's best to take thyroxine on an empty stomach, perhaps in a single daily dose before breakfast. Never stop taking it unless your doctor recommends it. Thyroxine shouldn't be used by obese persons because of serious, even life-threatening side effects.

When taking thyroxine, be aware of how it interacts with other drugs, especially warfarin and drugs that may increase heart rate or blood pressure such as decongestants or caffeine, estrogen products (including estrogen-containing birth control pills); digoxin and diabetes medicines.

Certain medicines affect absorption of thyroxine by your body, so don't take thyroxine within four hours of taking calcium or iron supplements, aluminum or calcium antacids cholestyramine or colestipol, sucralfate or sodium polystyrene sulfonate.

Do not start or stop taking thyroxine with consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Store thyroxine at room temperature, and keep it removed from sunlight and moisture. It's recommended that you store it outside the bathroom.

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