Jump to content

Liothyronine: Difference between revisions

From Pharmacopedia
[unchecked revision][unchecked revision]
parser-claude batch MedTemplate pre-fill, Top 300 #220
 
B3 citation patch (home-claude, PM-approved): clear [citation needed] with verified ref
 
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown)
Line 14: Line 14:
| halflife          = ~1 day (much shorter than T4's ~7 days)<ref name="cytomel-label">FDA Prescribing Information, Cytomel (liothyronine sodium), Pfizer/King, current revision. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/010379s055lbl.pdf</ref>
| halflife          = ~1 day (much shorter than T4's ~7 days)<ref name="cytomel-label">FDA Prescribing Information, Cytomel (liothyronine sodium), Pfizer/King, current revision. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/010379s055lbl.pdf</ref>
| bioavailability  = ~95% (oral)<ref name="cytomel-label" />
| bioavailability  = ~95% (oral)<ref name="cytomel-label" />
| pregnancy        = T4 (levothyroxine) is the first-line in pregnancy; T3 is rarely needed.{{citation needed}}
| pregnancy        = T4 (levothyroxine) is the first-line in pregnancy; T3 is rarely needed.<ref name="ata2017-preg">Alexander EK, Pearce EN, Brent GA, et al. 2017 Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association for the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy and the Postpartum. Thyroid. 2017;27(3):315-389. PMID 28056690.</ref>
| legal            = [[USLegal:Prescription only|Rx-only]] in US
| legal            = [[USLegal:Prescription only|Rx-only]] in US
| mechanism        = <vote slug="liothyronine-mech-claim">Liothyronine is bioidentical T3 (triiodothyronine), the active thyroid hormone that binds nuclear thyroid hormone receptors with ~10× the affinity of T4; T4 (levothyroxine) is essentially a prodrug peripherally deiodinated to T3.</vote> Direct T3 supplementation bypasses peripheral deiodination, useful in myxedema coma (rapid clinical effect needed) and in some refractory hypothyroidism (combination T4+T3, controversial). Short half-life produces fluctuating serum levels with intermittent supraphysiologic peaks — one reason T4 monotherapy remains the practical standard<ref name="cytomel-label" />.
| mechanism        = <vote slug="liothyronine-mech-claim">Liothyronine is bioidentical T3 (triiodothyronine), the active thyroid hormone that binds nuclear thyroid hormone receptors with ~10× the affinity of T4; T4 (levothyroxine) is essentially a prodrug peripherally deiodinated to T3.</vote> Direct T3 supplementation bypasses peripheral deiodination, useful in myxedema coma (rapid clinical effect needed) and in some refractory hypothyroidism (combination T4+T3, controversial). Short half-life produces fluctuating serum levels with intermittent supraphysiologic peaks — one reason T4 monotherapy remains the practical standard<ref name="cytomel-label" />.
Line 21: Line 21:
== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />
[[Category:Thyroid hormones]]
[[Category:Hormone replacement]]

Latest revision as of 18:04, 13 June 2026

Liothyronine (T3, triiodothyronine sodium)
Cytomel (oral), Triostat (IV)

Experience

👥 No personal reports yet
No clinical reports yet

Log in to add your own experience.

Problems

No problems yet. Be the first to suggest one.

+ Add a problem

Titration strategies

No titration strategies yet. Be the first to suggest one.

+ Add a titration strategy

Effects

No effects listed yet. Be the first to suggest one.

+ Add an effect

Relevant anecdote

No anecdotes yet. Share a relevant one.

+ Add an anecdote

Relevant Literature

No literature entries yet.

Log in to submit relevant literature.

Pharmacy
Starting dose
Hypothyroidism: 5-25 mcg PO daily (start low, titrate slowly); myxedema coma: 5-20 mcg IV q4-12h with T4 loading
Preparations
5, 25, 50 mcg tablets (Cytomel); 10 mcg/mL IV (Triostat)
US FDA Max
100 mcg/d typical
Common uses
Classification(s)
Pharmacology
Routes
Oral, IV
Onset
Hours (faster than T4); peak biologic activity 24-48 hours
Duration
24-72 hours
Half-life
~1 day (much shorter than T4's ~7 days)[1]
Bioavailability
~95% (oral)[1]
Pregnancy
T4 (levothyroxine) is the first-line in pregnancy; T3 is rarely needed.[2]
Legal status
Rx-only in US
Purported mechanism
Liothyronine is bioidentical T3 (triiodothyronine), the active thyroid hormone that binds nuclear thyroid hormone receptors with ~10× the affinity of T4; T4 (levothyroxine) is essentially a prodrug peripherally deiodinated to T3.0 Direct T3 supplementation bypasses peripheral deiodination, useful in myxedema coma (rapid clinical effect needed) and in some refractory hypothyroidism (combination T4+T3, controversial). Short half-life produces fluctuating serum levels with intermittent supraphysiologic peaks — one reason T4 monotherapy remains the practical standard[1].
Pharmacopedia is intended for reference. Nothing here is advice. In an emergency call 911; US Poison Control 1-800-222-1222. See the full disclaimer.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 FDA Prescribing Information, Cytomel (liothyronine sodium), Pfizer/King, current revision. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/010379s055lbl.pdf
  2. Alexander EK, Pearce EN, Brent GA, et al. 2017 Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association for the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy and the Postpartum. Thyroid. 2017;27(3):315-389. PMID 28056690.