Thyroid Talk Episode 6: Thyroid Hormone Replacement for Hypothyroidism: What are the options and how is treatment monitored?

Send us Fan MailThyroid Talk with Dr. Angela MazzaRecorded 4-15-22SHOW NOTES EPISODE 6, 2022Thyroid Hormone Replacement for Hypothyroidism:  What are the Options, and How is Treatment Monitored? Host: Dr. Angela MazzaCo-host: Dawn Sheffield I’m Dr. Angela Mazza, a thyroid, endocrine, and metabolism specialist with a private practice in Central Florida.  My goal for this podcast is to define and demystify the thyroid gland, and thyroid-related medical conditions.  By providing information in an easy-to-understand format, we hope to help patients better understand the ways in which their bodies work, and to help them thrive.  My goal is to help us live more fulfilling lives by taking control of our health, to feel our best. I wanted to do this podcast to provide life-saving education and encourage folks to see a doctor in time to prevent or minimize damage.  That’s deeply fulfilling.  I enjoy helping folks understand how all aspects of their lives are tied to both thyroid and overall health. In fact, this is why I went into endocrinology.  It’s a medical art that combines science with the study of our lives—and all that they encompass.     To recap some of what we discussed in episode 6—not necessarily in this order: ·       Why thyroid hormone is so important;·       The role, and types, of levothyroxine;·       The potential differences between various products;·       Hypothyroid (underactive); Hashimoto thyroiditis; monitoring;·       Thyroid hormone replacement goals and options; when to provide—and why;·       The role of T4 and T3 (see also episode 5 for additional information);·       Generic products; reverse T3; thyroid antibodies;·       What are fillers in medications?;·       Tablets, capsules, liquids—delivery systems;·       GI absorption and Hashimoto thyroiditis;·       The benefits of a reputable compounding pharmacy;·       Liothyronine vs. levothyroxine and their half-lives;·       Converting T4 effectively to T3—possible role of liothyronine;·       Forms of replacement thyroid hormones: synthetic, dessicated, compounded;·       Lab tests to monitor therapy for thyroid hormone replacement—and interpreting them;·       Following—or, tracking—lab results over tests and time;·       A medication perfect for one person may not be right for another; every person with hypothyroidism is unique, and so is their therapeutic plan. I hope this discussion on thyroid hormone replacement therapy options was helpful, and that you will continue listening to this podcast.  We’ll build on today’s foundation, and cover some topics I think you’ll find meaningful.  We have many more interesting episodes and guests planned. In our next episode we’ll cover micronutrients that are important for the thyroid. We welcome your comments, show ideas, and questions for future episodes.  Please send them to [email protected] may disclose your general location on air (the city or town, for example), but we will NOT read your name NOR your address on the show. Don’t forget to ask your healthcare provider about any specific questions regarding your wellness. &nbsCheck out our YouTube channel - Dr. Angela Mazza, our website at Metabolic Center for Wellness, our FaceBook and our Instagram page.