Medications for thyroid disorders: Nursing pharmacology

Thyroid disorders can be broadly divided into two categories which are on opposite ends of a spectrum: hypothyroidism, which describes a decrease in the thyroid hormones; and hyperthyroidism, which describes an increase in the thyroid hormones.

Now, thyroid hormones include triiodothyronine, or T3 for short, and thyroxine, or T4, and both contain iodine. The synthesis of these hormones is stimulated by another hormone, called thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH for short, which is released by the pituitary gland.

Okay, so on one side of the spectrum, there’s hypothyroidism. This is treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy, which involves medications to replace the reduced thyroid hormones.

These medications include levothyroxine, which is a synthetic form of T4, and liothyronine, which is a synthetic form of T3.

Both of these medications may be given orally or intravenously, and levothyroxine can be administered intramuscularly too.

Once administered, they bind to intracellular thyroid hormone receptors in tissue cells to mimic the actions of thyroid hormones, such as increasing the metabolic rate, body temperature and cardiac output.

Now, the most common side effects of thyroid hormone replacement therapy include headaches, insomnia, nervousness, as well as weight loss, excessive sweating, and heat intolerance.

Some clients may also experience cardiovascular side effects, such as tachycardia, palpitations, and even cardiac arrest.