AUDIO: Dr. Theodore Friedman, What Medicine Should Women Take if Diagnosed With Hypothyroidism
What type of medication should a woman take if diagnosed with hypothyroidism?
HYPOTHYROIDISM TREATMENT
Once hypothyroidism is diagnosed, there are many treatment options, including synthetic L- thyroxine (T4)preparations (Synthroid, Levoxyl and Unithroid), synthetic L-triiodothyronine (T3) preparations (Cytomel), synthetic T4/T3 combinations (Thyrolar) and dessicated thyroid
preparations (Armour, Naturethroid, Bio-Throid, and Westhroid). All of the L-thyroxine preparations contain the same active ingredient, but contain different fillers and have different quality control. Until recently, Synthroid did not have FDA approval, but now all L-thyroxine preparations have FDA approval. Thyrolar and the dessicated thyroid preparations probably have a higher T3/T4 ratio than desirable and thus, I often give a lower amounts of these preparations supplemented with T4. Most Endocrinologists use L-thyroxine preparations for the initial treatment of all forms of hypothyroidism.
