What Is Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Q: What Is Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Thyroid replacement provides T4 (levothyroxine) or T4+T3 when the thyroid cannot produce enough. Goal: normalize TSH.

Thyroid hormone replacement provides hormones your thyroid cannot make adequately.

Types

Levothyroxine (T4 only) — standard first-line
Desiccated thyroid extract — contains T4 and T3
Liothyronine (T3 only) — shorter half-life
Combination T4/T3

Goals

Normalize TSH (0.4–4.0)
Relieve symptoms
Restore normal metabolism

Monitoring

TSH 6–8 weeks after change
Every 6–12 months once stable
More frequent in pregnancy

Source: American Thyroid Association, NLM MedlinePlus.

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