Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | News | Products | Other

Print options:

Other options:

Liothyronine

Post your experience
See others (1 there)

Liothyronine is a replacement or supplement to the naturally occurring thyroid hormones.
Your dose may change especially at the beginning of treatment until the right dose is found.
You must keep your regular appointment with your doctor so that your liothyronine dose can be monitored.

About liothyronine

Type of medicine	Thyroid hormone
Used for	Under active thyroid gland
Also known as	Liothyronine sodium
Available as	Tablet and injection

Thyroid hormones are essential for normal metabolism and are produced naturally by the thyroid gland.

An under-active thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone which causes a condition known as hypothyroidism. This can lead to symptoms such as a pale, puffy appearance, dry coarse skin, brittle hair, a hoarse voice, slow heartbeat, muscle pain, joint pain, weakness, tiredness, constipation, weight changes and an intolerance of cold temperatures. Liothyronine is given as a medicine to correct this hormone imbalance.

Before taking liothyronine

Before taking liothyronine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
If you suffer from heart problems or have a history of heart problems.
If you have an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).
If you suffer from endocrine or hormone problems.
If you have blood pressure or circulation problems.
If you suffer from diabetes insipidus or diabetes mellitus.
If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.

How to take liothyronine

The dose may change especially at the beginning of treatment until the right dose for you is found.
Take these tablets exactly as you have been told to by your doctor.

Getting the most from your treatment

You must keep your regular appointment with your doctor so that your liothyronine dose can be monitored.

Can liothyronine cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine	What can I do if I experience this
Chest pain, irregular or fast heart beat, palpitations (being aware of your heat beating), muscle cramps or weakness, trembling, restlessness, excitability, problems sleeping, flushing, sweating, fever, excessive weight loss.	If you experience any of the symptoms described, especially if you have more than one of them consult your doctor. The dose of your drug may need adjusting.
Diarrhoea	Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids. If diarrhoea continues to be a problem speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
Being sick	Drink plenty of liquid. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast. If vomiting continues to be a problem speak to your doctor.
Headaches	Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable pain-killer. If headache continues speak with your doctor.
Rash, itching and puffiness	Speak with your doctor if this continues.

How to store liothyronine

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light

Important information about all medicines

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children
Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines
Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking
Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist

References

British National Formulary; 56th Edition (September 2008) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF).

Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk

DocID:
1420

DocRef:
dils3033

Last Updated:
20 Oct 2008

Date of Next Review:
20 Oct 2010

Version:
24

The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | News | Products | Other

Print options:

Other options:

Advert

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Related pages in Patient UK

Your Experience (^ top of page)

Please add your experience about this condition / medicine

View Patient Experience for 'Liothyronine' (1 there)

Patient UK Newspaper (^ top of page)

Latest Health News

View current health news

Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)

Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.
Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
UK Guidelines
Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Information Leaflets which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Support Groups which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Medicines & Drugs which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of diagrams which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of PatientPlus (detailed reference) articles which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of UK Guidelines which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of other selected websites which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Poems and Stories which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Operations and Procedures which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Online Videos which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links through to our interactive forum.
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to news stories on this subject in our Online Newspaper

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to related products

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to other useful sources of information

Click here to open a printer-friendly version of this document, in a new window, together with the print dialogue box

Click here to open this document in PDF format
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document

Click here to listen to the MP3 audio recording of this document

Click here to download the audio recording of this document as a podcast, for listening to at your leisure

Click here to open our Dictionaries and Glossaries page

Click here to see related products in our Online Pharmacy
Note: this will open in a new window

Click here to add this page to a social bookmarking site of your choice

Click here if you want to find out more about social bookmarking. This link will take you to the Wikipedia explanation
Note: this will open in a new window