1. Levothyroxine tablets.
Currently there are only two kinds on the market, “Eugenol” and “Letrox”; English name: Letrox; two chemical composition is the same (L-T4), the production is slightly different, according to the convenience of the purchase, choose one to take. The price is 30-40 yuan for a box of about 50 days’ dose.
Currently, there are 50ug and 100ug specifications on the market, so you should pay attention when buying, and generally choose 50ug to facilitate dose adjustment.
Domestic drugs are also available, but their drug concentration is not easy to control, so we do not recommend buying them for now.
Patients often ask, “Director, I cut the right side of the thyroid gland, how do you prescribe left thyroxine for me? Many drugs are available in both levothyroxine and dextro, most levothyroxine is effective and dextro is ineffective, so of course there is no dextro.
2, those who need to take levothyroxine tablets.
1.Patients with papillary thyroid cancer and follicular carcinoma must take them to prevent tumor recurrence;
2, must be taken after total thyroidectomy to replenish thyroxine function;
3.After partial thyroidectomy, if the thyroid gland function is insufficient, it needs to be supplemented;
4.After surgery for nodular goiter on one side, supplementation is recommended to slow down the formation of nodules on the opposite side;
3. How long to take it and how it needs to be reviewed.
Most require lifelong medication, but depending on the cause, blood must be drawn to review thyroid function levels. It is recommended to follow up 2 weeks, 2 months, 6 months and 1 year after surgery, and then once a year for 5 years; thereafter, it can be followed up every 2 to 3 years. Normal thyroid hormone levels vary with the seasons and are recommended to be adjusted after winter and summer. The need for thyroxine increases substantially during pregnancy, and it is necessary to review thyroid function every month during pregnancy and gradually increase the dose.
4.Friendship reminder: Most patients with recurrence or distant metastasis of thyroid tumor are because there is a longer period of discontinuation of medication, and they do not understand their condition and the importance of taking medication. Therefore, for the sake of patients’ long-term health, we cannot conceal any condition of thyroid cancer from the patients themselves.
5.How to take the medication and what to do if you forget to take the medication.
It is recommended to take the medication in the early morning, 30 min before meal, when it is best absorbed. Of course, you can take the medication at other times, but it is better to make a habit of taking the medication regularly, at the same time every day. If you miss a dose early in the morning, you can take it at another time, or even double it the next day. If you stop taking it for too many days, please consult your doctor.
6.What are the adverse effects of the drug.
Overdose: The following clinical symptoms of hyperthyroidism may occur, including: tachycardia, palpitations, arrhythmia, angina pectoris, headache, muscle weakness and cramps, flushing, fever, vomiting, menstrual disorders, tremor, restlessness, insomnia, excessive sweating, weight loss and diarrhea. Symptoms disappear after 1-3 days of discontinuation in the above cases;
Long-term use: osteoporosis may occur, it is recommended to take calcium supplements, such as Calcium D 0.6g once daily;
Inadequate medication: facial edema, indifferent expression, weight gain;
If the above happens, please consult a doctor promptly, and it is recommended to adjust the medication after rechecking thyroid function.
7.Is there any contraindication in diet.
Medically, there is no contraindication to diet after thyroid cancer surgery; if subsequent iodine 131 treatment is needed, you need to abstain from iodine diet (any seafood, seaweed, nori, etc. are forbidden) for 2 weeks before treatment; for details before and after iodine 131 treatment, you need to consult separately, which will be updated gradually in the near future.