The thyroid is a small gland at the base of your neck that produces hormones to regulate your body's energy use. Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of these thyroid hormones, and your body processes subsequently slow down and change. This condition is treatable in most people with thyroid hormone replacement medication and lifestyle modifications.
The job of thyroid hormone replacement medication is to replace the hormone(s) that are missing. It closely replicates normal thyroid function.
The thyroid gland produces two hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Similarly, thyroid replacement medication also comes in T4 and T3 formulations. In a healthy thyroid gland, the inactive T4 hormone is released into circulation and then converted by the body into the active T3 hormone. Often, treatment for thyroid replacement starts with T4-only formulations, assuming that the body can successfully do the conversion on its own.
Several manufacturers make different formulations and doses of T4 medications, including Tirosint. Read on to learn more about Tirosint thyroid medication, how it works, and how to get a Tirosint prescription online.
Your Guide To Thyroid Medication
Optimizing your thyroid levels with thyroid hormone replacement medication is usually the first step in minimizing symptoms.
What is Tirosint?
Tirosint is a brand-name, liquid form of levothyroxine, the thyroid hormone replacement drug used to treat hypothyroidism. Other brand-names of levothyroxine include Synthroid and Levoxyl, which come in tablet form.
There are two versions of Tirosint available on the market in the United States:
- Tirosint — liquid, levothyroxine sodium gel-caps
- Tirosint-SOL — levothyroxine sodium oral solution
This medication contains no dyes, gluten, alcohol, lactose, or sugar. It is created for those who have allergies to dyes or fillers commonly used in levothyroxine tablets; those who have conditions that may affect the absorption of medications; or anyone taking a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).
Tirosint is sold in a blister pack to protect against moisture and temperature changes, preserve the medication's potency, and ensure that patients don't miss a dose.
Tirosint-SOL is an option for patients who cannot swallow, fed by tube, and for infants and children who require levothyroxine treatment.
How does Tirosint work?
Thyroid hormone replacement medications like Tirosint work to replace the thyroid hormone levothyroxine underproduced with low thyroid function.
Tirosint dosage and treatment
Tirosint comes in 12 different dosage strengths to make it easy for your doctor to prescribe the exact dosage for you. Each carton is color-coded for dosage strength, and every capsule labeled with a letter code. This way, you and your pharmacy ensure that you get the right dosage of Tirosint that your doctor prescribes.
Take your prescribed dose of Tirosint one time each day, 30-60 minutes before breakfast, on an empty stomach, or exactly as your doctor prescribes. Also, allow at least four hours before or after taking medications containing calcium carbonate or iron, or any medicines that contain bile acid sequestrants or ion exchange resins. Swallow the gel capsules whole without crushing or chewing.
Some foods can affect your treatment and dosage of Tirosint. Inform your doctor if soybean flour, cottonseed meal, walnuts, grapefruit, or dietary fiber are part of your regular diet.
Don't remove Tirosint capsules from the original blister package until you are ready to take them. Also, do not stop taking Tirosint or change your dose without consulting your doctor!
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Clinical studies of Tirosint
One study recruited 11 patients with reduced absorption of levothyroxine tablets due to taking additional interfering drugs. The study switched them to Tirosint-SOL liquid levothyroxine on the same dose and their other medications. Results revealed that liquid levothyroxine better normalizes and regulates thyroid levels than tablets.
Another observational study recruited 152 patients. They switched from levothyroxine tablets to liquid levothyroxine at the same dose. Results showed that liquid levothyroxine is more effective than tablets in controlling thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in hypothyroid patients without malabsorption, gastric disorders, or drug interference.
Side effects of Tirosint
Side effects of Tirosint are primarily those of hyperthyroidism due to therapeutic overdosage, including the following:
- General fatigue
- Increased appetite
- Weight loss
- Heat intolerance
- Fever
- Excessive sweating
- Headache
- Hyperactivity
- Nervousness, anxiety, or irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
- Tremors, muscle weakness, or muscle spasm
- Increased pulse and blood pressure
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Hair loss
- Skin flushing or rash
- Menstrual irregularities
If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor to adjust your medication or dosage.
Can you get Tirosint online?
To legally get a prescription for medication, you first need to consult with a doctor. Then, your doctor can send the prescription to a pharmacy to fill. Of course, avoid any websites that offer to sell medication without a prescription.
Paloma Health offers virtual consultations with thyroid doctors. You meet with a doctor from your computer or smartphone to get a comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and prescription for medications like Tirosint, if appropriate.
Schedule a free call with a care advisor to determine if Paloma Health might be right for you.
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