Modern management of thyroid replacement therapy

Abstract

Hypothyroidism is a common and chronic condition. Finding a high concentration of thyroid stimulating hormone in a symptomatic patient confirms the diagnosis and a cause is usually readily found. Lifelong thyroxine therapy relieves symptoms and restores 'normal' thyroid function. Commencing thyroxine can aggravate cardiac disease but is relatively free of adverse effects. The concentration of thyroid stimulating hormone is used to monitor therapy.