Thyroid Meds, HRT, Steroids

Thyroid Meds

• Cretinism from childhood iodine deficiency leading to underactive thyroid gland

• In adults, hypothyroidism common post partum leading to weight gain, lethargy

• Low iodine in adults also leads to goiter• Graves disease is OVER active thyroid

(hyperthyroidism)

For underactive thyroid

• Usually for females, gaining weight post partum and middle aged, slow metabolisms

• Also due to excessive radiation so guard neck areas in x rays!

• Commonly under diagnosed

Thyroid meds

• T3 T4 tests for thyroid function for thyroxin levels

• MEDS:• Sythyroid, Thyrolar, Armour Thyroid extract• All oral and must be taken for life!

Graves Disease (hyperthyroidism)

• Often caused by tumor• Overproduction of thyroxin• Exopthalmos (pop eyes)• Tachycardia• Meds: radioactive iodine granules

HRT

• Estrogen replacement tx:• Post menopausal females, insomnia, sweats,

vaginal dryness, mood swings, irritibility• EX: Premarin, Prempro, Climara, tablets or

patches for all, are cyclic so use in order of packet dispensing

• All are estrogens

Progesterone replacement

• Not for menopause like estrogens but for period problems like dysmenorrhea, irregularity, etc.

• Ex. : Norplant, Provera. Norplant is implanted to regulate period,Provera is a tablet. Also used for birth control

BCPs

• Usually combine estrogens and progesterones• Suppress ovulation by having progesterone

present fooling body into thinking its pregnant• NO smoking, elevated thrombus risk!!! CVA,

MI, etc. weight gain, depression• Clears acne

• Yasmin, NuvaRing, ortho Evra, Demulen,Estrostep,OrthoTricyclen,

• Interactions with other drugs common like:• Decrease effectiveness of many antibiotics or of

the birth control pills so no antibiotics with BCPs or get pregnant.

• Many other meds decrease effectiveness of BCPS like antifungals, nausea pills, cortisone

Emergency BCPs

• Plan B (norgestrel), Ovrette, Lunellel, Depo Provera,

Osteoporosis Meds

• Fosamax (alendronate) and Evista (Raloxifene)• Nauseating to some, should be taken with a

lot of water and don’t lie down to prevent esophageal burning, now come in inhalant forms to avoid stomach bleeding