advice for patients with newly diagnosed hypothyroidism
Last reviewed 01/2018
The following advice should be given to the patients who are diagnosed recently with hypothyroidism:
- inform that it will take at least a week after initiating therapy for the patient to start feeling better
- there will be no noticeable effect if one dose is missed
- take a double dose on the day after a missed tablet (except in active ischaemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation)
- in patients who present with muscle weakness, stiffness, or cognitive defects that it may take up to six months to fully resolve the symptoms
- Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach to maximise absorption
- treatment is life long and a yearly measurement of TSH level is necessary and the dose may be adjusted accordingly
- in the UK, patients with hypothyroidism are eligible for a medical exemption certificate for prescription charges (1)
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