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
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