How does Synthroid (levothyroxine) treat hypothyroidism?
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Stacy Wiegman answered:Hypothyroidism is a disorder in which the thyroid gland is “underactive” and does not produce enough of its own hormones. These hormones are called levothyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Although T3 is the hormone that is responsible for the effects on the body, T4 is very important because most of the T3 is produced by the conversion of T4 to T3 after both substances leave the thyroid gland. When treating hypothyroidism, it is only necessary to give T4. Synthroid treats hypothyroidism by replacing levothyroxine that is not being made in sufficient amounts by the thyroid gland.
Hypothyroidism is a disorder in which the thyroid gland is “underactive” and does not produce enough of its own hormones. These hormones are called levothyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Although T3 is the hormone that is... More -
Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum answered:Most doctors prescribe T4 (Synthroid) to treat an underactive thyroid. T4, though, is fairly inactive until the body converts it into T3, or activated thyroid hormone. If the problem is only with the thyroid gland itself, prescribing Synthroid will work just fine. It may not be effective in treating other thyroid-related problems, though. Unfortunately, both clinical experience and research published in a 2004 study in the journal Thyroid suggest that most of those patients on Synthroid are unhappy with their treatment.
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Most doctors prescribe T4 (Synthroid) to treat an underactive thyroid. T4, though, is fairly inactive until the body converts it into T3, or activated thyroid hormone. If the problem is only with the thyroid gland itself, prescribing... More
