Alternative uses for Synthroid?

Did you check the thyroid function labs?

Oddly, I could not find thyroid function labs in the chart anywhere, and I scoured the Labs tab and the pt's history!

Is the pt overweight? I read an article recently about using it for weight loss. If this is for the pt you are caring for, you should ask the nurse you are working with because he/she will have all of the information or just ask the doctor, I used to be petrified of doctors but if you are giving a med or if the pt you are caring for is receiving it, they should answer your questions.

Thanks for your reply, PacificNWNurse. No, the pt wasn't overweight at all, and was in quite good health prior to this hospital visit. I definitely understand the importance of knowing why a patient is receiving a med if I am giving it. I was not passing meds that day, and it was a question I didn't get to ask while I was at the hospital and now I'm home and kicking myself for it!

Increasing the level of thyroid hormone can increase peristalsis without causing diarrhea. Since your patient had a rectal mass, it is possible the physician is prophylaxing for future bowel issues.

I can't seem to think of any reason why iv synthroid was ordered except as an error. Weight would not be a good indication unless low levels of thryoid hormone are the cause. Besides, an acute care setting (I am assuming it is a hospital) would not be the place to implement weight loss.

In regards to increasing peristalsis I would be concerned if it was used for this.

Over abundance of thyroid hormone would increase overall metabolism.

HR and BP would increase also. It would be an increase in risk for stroke.

Without knowing a persons baseline thyroid levels I would be concerned to order synthryoid even if for issues mentioned.

Bipolar patients get prescribed synthyroid... Hth

I think Bipolar patients are prescribe synthroid because Lithium blocks a step of thyroid hormone synthesis.

IV Synthroid? I wasn't aware it was given IV. Where have I been????

Is the pt overweight? I read an article recently about using it for weight loss. If this is for the pt you are caring for, you should ask the nurse you are working with because he/she will have all of the information or just ask the doctor, I used to be petrified of doctors but if you are giving a med or if the pt you are caring for is receiving it, they should answer your questions.

Synthroid has a black box warning for use in patients for weight loss. It is an absolute contraindication in the euthyroid patient related to toxicities.

Like others, I'm at a loss for why this would be prescribed in this situation with all the S/E of the drug. Bipolar patients on Lithium have a 20-30% chance of developing hypothyroidism within the 1st 2 years of therapy but,you not finding a history of previous of synthroid use, does leave to question why it's being used. Without PMHx of hypothyroidism and without recent TSH T3 and free T4 I'd really have to question use of this drug. I'd go as far as go though the admit orders to verify drug order, ask staff why and if need be ask the doctor.

IV synthoid is an acceptable route of administration in the patient unable to take/tolerate po meds and usually started off at half the PO dose and adjusted.

Increasing the level of thyroid hormone can increase peristalsis without causing diarrhea. Since your patient had a rectal mass, it is possible the physician is prophylaxing for future bowel issues.

Interesting- Has anyone seen it used for this purpose regularly? I would think if the thyroid functoin was normal, giving a suppliment would end up inhibiting the thyroid over time?

people who are bipolar and take lithium often have thyroid problems because of the lithium. Therefore they can get hypothyroid and need a replacement which is why synthroid may have been ordered