Thyroid hormone

CAUTION:
Thyroid hormone should not be used to treat obesity in patients with normal thyroid function. Thyroid medication is ineffective for weight reduction in normal thyroid patients and may cause serious or life-threatening toxicity, especially when taken with amphetamines. Talk to your doctor about the potential risks associated with this medication.

O  General Information and Indications:

Thyroid is a hormone produced by the body. When taken correctly, thyroid reverses the symptoms of hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Without thyroid hormone, the body cannot function properly, resulting in poor growth, slow speech, lack of energy, weight gain, hair loss, dry thick skin, and increased sensitivity to cold. Thyroid is akso used to treat goiter (enlarged thyroid gland).

O  Information For Users:

Thyroid comes as a tablet and a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken as a single dose every day before breakfast. To control the symptoms of hypothyroidism, you probably will need to take thyroid for the rest of your life. It may take about 2 weeks before you notice any change in your symptoms. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take thyroid exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.

Continue taking thyroid even if you feel well. Do not discontinue taking thyroid without informing your doctor.

O  Special precautions:

o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergy to thyroid; foods such as pork, beef, soybean oil, or corn; or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially amphetamines, anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), arthritis medications, aspirin, cholesterol-lowering resins such as cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid), diabetes medications (insulin and tablets), digoxin (Lanoxin), estrogens, oral contraceptives, steroids, and vitamins.
o if you take cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid), take it at least 4 hours before or 1 hour after taking your thyroid medication.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding diabetes; hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis); kidney disease; hepatitis; cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure, chest pain (angina), arrhythmias, or heart attack; or an underactive adrenal or pituitary gland.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking thyroid, call your doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking thyroid.
o Inform your doctor if you drink alcoholic beverages. It is important not to drink alcohol while taking thyroid.

O  Possible Adverse Effects:

Though adverse effects of thyroid are not common, they could occur. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:

o weight loss
o tremor
o headache
o upset stomach
o vomiting
o diarrhea
o stomach cramps
o nervousness
o irritability
o insomnia (sleeplessness)
o excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
o increased appetite
o fever
o changes in menstrual cycle
o sensitivity to heat
o temporary hair loss, particularly in children during the first month of therapy

If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:

o severe skin rash
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
o chest pain (angina)
o rapid or irregular heartbeat or pulse

O  Brand Name(s):

o Armour® Thyroid

O  Other Name(s):

o Dessicated thyroid
o thyroid extract
o thyroid gland