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ORGANIZATION OF CLASS
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These drugs are really quite simple if you can recognize the names and if you remember how the thyroid gland is controlled and how it synthesizes thyroid hormone (Figure 40–1).
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The thyroid gland helps regulate metabolism in tissues. Hypothyroidism (low levels of hormone) results in slow heart rate (bradycardia), cold intolerance, and physical slowing. In children, hypothyroidism can result in mental retardation and short stature. Hyperthyroidism (too much hormone) results in fast heart rate, nervousness, tremor, and excess heat production.
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The thyroid gland stores thyroid hormone as thyroglobulin.
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THYROID REPLACEMENT THERAPY
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The most common cause of hypothyroidism is iodine deficiency, which is treated with iodine. The most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States is probably Hashimoto thyroiditis, an immunologic disorder.
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There are two major thyroid hormones, called T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine).
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Thyroxine (T4) is the major secretory product of the thyroid gland. Triiodothyronine (T3) is secreted by the thyroid but is also synthesized by extrathyroid metabolism of T4. Both T4 and T3 are bound to thyroxine-binding globulin and several other proteins in the plasma. T4 is often referred to as thyroxine and T3 as triiodothyronine.
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LEVOTHYROXINE (a sodium salt of T4) is the drug of choice for the treatment of hypothyroidism.
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Liothyronine (a sodium salt of T3) and liotrix (a mixture of T3 and T4) have also been used to treat hypothyroidism.
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DRUGS THAT ARE THYROID DOWNERS
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Treatment of hyperthyroidism is achieved by removing part, or all, of the thyroid gland, inhibiting synthesis of thyroid hormone, or by blocking release of hormone from the gland.
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Surgery or radioactive iodine can be used to destroy the thyroid gland.
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Remember that iodine is taken up selectively by the thyroid gland. Therefore, administration of radioactive iodine will result in the accumulation of radioactivity in the thyroid gland. This is very selective radiation therapy.
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PROPYLTHIOURACIL and METHIMAZOLE inhibit thyroid synthesis.
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Propylthiouracil and methimazole inhibit iodination of tyrosine groups and coupling of these groups to form thyroid hormone. They have no effect on the stored thyroglobulin or on the release of thyroid hormone. Therefore, there will be a delay between the onset of therapy and the clinical effect as the previously stored thyroglobulin is ...