Westhroid Pure 0.25 Grain 16.25mg

Westhroid Pure general information

What is Westhroid Pure used for?

Westhroid Pure tablets 16.25mg (1/4 grain) are used to treat hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone needed to regulate the body’s growth and metabolism.  Westhroid Pure tablets 16.25mg are a natural replacement hormone, derived from pig thyroid gland, containing both forms of thyroid hormone (T₃ and T₄), which help to relieve the symptoms of hypothyroidism, including, tiredness, muscle weakness, cramps, feeling the cold, a slow heart rate, dry and flaky skin, hair loss, a deep husky voice and weight gain.  Westhroid Pure tablets 16.25mg can also be used to help treat hypothyroidism caused by surgical removal of, or damage to the thyroid gland, as well as treating thyroid goitre (enlarged thyroid glands) and thyroid cancer.  Another use for Westhroid Pure 16.25mg tablets is for a suppression test, to test for thyroid activity.  

How does Westhroid Pure work?

Westhroid Pure tablets 16.25mg consist of an extract produced from pig thyroid glands which contains both forms of thyroid hormone; thyroxine (levothyroxine or T₄) and liothyronine (L-triiodothyronine or T₃).  Thyroxine (T₄) is converted to the more active form of thyroid hormone (T₃) in the liver, kidney and other tissues of the body and T₃ interacts with a specific receptor inside cells to stimulate proteins needed to manage and control a variety of processes, including how the body regulates temperature, metabolises nutrients and controls growth and development.  Thyroid hormones regulate the production by the pituitary gland of another hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which in turn controls how much thyroid hormone is produced.  Westhroid Pure tablets 16.25mg regulate TSH production in the same way and this is how it works when used for treating thyroid goitre or thyroid cancer by suppressing TSH production. 

What does Westhroid Pure contain?

The 16.25mg or 1/4 grain tablet contains 9.5mcg of T4 and 2.25mcg of T3

Westhroid Pure tablets contain 16.25mg (¼ grain) of a desiccated (dried) extract of pig thyroid glands, which contains both forms of thyroid hormone; thyroxine (levothyroxine or T₄) and liothyronine (L-triiodothyronine or T₃) in the ratio 4.22:1 of T₄ to T₃, as T₃ is approximately four times as potent as T₄ on a microgram for microgram basis.  They also contain medium chain triglycerides derived from coconut and inulin derived from chicory root.

Treating underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) with Westhroid Pure

Westhroid Pure tablets 16.25mg consist of an extract produced from pig thyroid glands which contains both forms of thyroid hormone; thyroxine (levothyroxine or T₄) and liothyronine (L-triiodothyronine or T₃) and substitutes for the lack of thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) needed to regulate normal growth and metabolism.  Westhroid Pure tablets 16.25mg are used to treat the symptoms of hypothyroidism, including, tiredness, muscle weakness, cramps, feeling the cold, a slow heart rate, dry and flaky skin, hair loss, a deep husky voice and weight gain.  

Treating thyroid goitre with Westhroid Pure

Westhroid Pure tablets 16.25mg consist of an extract produced from pig thyroid glands which contains both forms of thyroid hormone; thyroxine (levothyroxine or T₄) and liothyronine (L-triiodothyronine or T₃) and are used to treat thyroid goitre, which is an enlargement of the thyroid gland.  If the thyroid gland cannot make enough thyroid hormone, usually due to an iodine deficiency, it grows to compensate for this, under the influence of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), produced by the pituitary gland.  TSH also stimulates the production of thyroid hormone, which in turn regulates the production of TSH in a hormone feedback cycle.  Westhroid Pure tablets ¼ grain regulate TSH production in the same way and this is how it works when used for treating thyroid goitre, by suppressing TSH production so that the goitre can shrink in size.

What is the difference between natural and synthetic thyroid hormones?

Westhroid tablets 16.25mg contain an extract produced from whole desiccated pig thyroid glands, measured in grains, which contain both forms of thyroid hormone; thyroxine (levothyroxine or T₄) and liothyronine (L-triiodothyronine or T₃).  These hormones are therefore natural hormones compared to synthesised hormones found in some other preparations of thyroid medication, which may contain only one form of thyroid hormone, either T₄  or T₃.  Both natural and synthetic hormones work in the same way to treat thyroid disease.  

What doses of Westhroid Pure are available?

Westhroid Pure tablets provide 38 mcg levothyroxine (T₄) and 9 mcg liothyronine (T₃) per grain of thyroid extract.  They are available in the following strengths:

• 16.25mg (¼ grain) Tablets in Bottles of 100 Tablets
• 32.5mg (½ grain) Tablets in Bottles of 100 Tablets
• 65mg (1 grain) Tablets in Bottles of 100 Tablets
• 97.5mg (1.5 grain) Tablets in Bottles of 100 Tablets
• 130mg (2 grain) Tablets in Bottles of 100 Tablets

What are the side effects of Westhroid Pure?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Westhroid Pure tablets 16.25mg indicate that your dose is too high and may need adjusting.  These include: headache, sleep problems (insomnia), feeling nervous or irritable sweating, flushing, appetite changes, weight loss, muscle weakness/cramps, tremors. 

When should Westhroid Pure not be used?

You should not use Westhroid Pure tablets 16.25mg if you:

• are allergic to thyroid hormones or any of the ingredients in Westhroid Pure tablets
• are looking for a treatment for obesity or to help you lose weight; this is not a weight loss product
• have thyrotoxicosis (untreated high thyroid hormone levels) or adrenal gland problems
• are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breast-feeding
• have a history of chest pain, heart attack, heart blood vessel problems, or other heart problems
• are a diabetic taking antidiabetics or insulin, without discussion with your doctor, as Westhroid may affect your glucose tolerance
• are taking other medications that may interact with Westhroid, such as anticonvulsants like phenytoin and carbamazepin, cardiac glycosides like digoxin, cholesterol-lowing drugs containing cholestyramine, antidepressants, anticoagulants

What medications interact with Westhroid Pure?

Several medications interact with Westhroid Pure tablets 16.25mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Westhroid Pure or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that decrease effectiveness of Westhroid: antacids that contains aluminum or calcium or sucralfate (should be taken at least 4 hours apart from thyroid hormones); cholesterol-lowing drugs containing cholestyramine colestipol (should be taken at least 4 hours apart from thyroid hormones); iron supplement and vitamins with iron (should be taken at least 4 hours apart from thyroid hormones) oestrogen replacement product or birth control pills
• Drugs that are affected by Westhroid: anticoagulants, like warfarin because the risk of bleeding may be increased, insulin or an oral diabetes medication such as acarbose glipizide glyburide metformin

How should Westhroid Pure be taken?

You should take your Westhroid Pure tablets 16.25mg with water on an empty stomach, preferably 30 minutes before a meal.  The dose of Westhroid Pure that you take should be as recommended by your doctor.  The usual starting dose is 16.25 mg Westhroid Pure (¼ grain), with increments of 16.24 mg (¼ grain) every 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the levels of T3 and T4 measured in the blood during treatment, so blood monitoring is important while you are taking Westhroid Pure.  It usually takes several weeks to see normal levels of blood thyroid hormone levels after starting treatment and you may need to take Westhroid for the rest of your life.   

How long should you take Westhroid Pure?

It usually takes several weeks to see normal levels of blood thyroid hormone levels after starting treatment and you may need to take Westhroid Pure tablets 16.25mg for the rest of your life.   

Missed dose of Westhroid Pure

If you miss a dose of Westhroid Pure tablets 16.25mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Westhroid Pure be stored?

You should store your Westhroid Pure tablets 16.25mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.