Levothyroxine sodium
Levothyroxine Sodium
Levothyroxine Sodium (pronounced: lee-voh-thigh-ROX-een SO-dee-um) is a medication used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. It is also used to treat or prevent goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), which can be caused by hormone imbalances, radiation treatment, surgery, or cancer.
Etymology
The term "Levothyroxine" is derived from the Latin "levo-", meaning "left", and "thyroxine", referring to the thyroid hormone it replaces. "Sodium" refers to the salt form of the medication, which aids in its absorption in the body.
Usage
Levothyroxine Sodium is a thyroid hormone replacement medication. It works by replacing or providing more thyroid hormone, which is normally produced by the thyroid gland. Low thyroid hormone levels can occur naturally or when the thyroid gland is injured by radiation/medications or removed by surgery.
Related Terms
- Hypothyroidism: A condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones.
- Thyroid gland: A butterfly-shaped organ located in the base of your neck. It releases hormones that control metabolism.
- Thyroid hormones: Hormones released by the thyroid gland, including thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
- Goiter: An abnormal enlargement of your thyroid gland.
- Thyroid hormone replacement: Treatment for hypothyroidism that involves taking a medication to replace the missing thyroid hormone.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Levothyroxine sodium
- Wikipedia's article - Levothyroxine sodium
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