Thyroxine is the main hormone produced by the thyroid gland and is involved in many processes inside the body. It stimulates cognitive activity, motor and mental functions, metabolism, glycolysis, and lipolysis. It increases blood sugar levels and delays the formation and deposition of fat. All of this is very important for weight loss: one of the consequences of impaired functioning is fast and uncontrolled weight gain. To fill the deficiency, L-Thyroxine, a thyrotropic hormone drug, is prescribed.
Composition
The main active ingredient is levothyroxine sodium (Latin name: levothyroxine sodium). It is a synthetically produced sodium salt. It is partially biotransformed in the kidneys and liver to form liothyronine (T3) and actively stimulates metabolic processes. One tablet may contain 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, or 200 mcg of the main active ingredient.
The list of additional components depends on the manufacturer.
Berlin-Chemie (Germany)
Levothyroxine sodium is present in a concentration of 50, 75, 100, and 150 mcg. The following are also included:
- microcrystalline cellulose;
- calcium hydroorthophosphate;
- sodium starch glycolate;
- dextrin;
- long-chain partial glycerides.
The number of tablets in a package varies from 50 to 150.
Henning (Germany)
The concentration of the active ingredient is represented by a wide range, from 25 to 200 mcg. No additional ingredients are listed. The package contains 50 tablets.
Farmak (Ukraine)
Active ingredient: 25, 50, and 100 mcg. The following are also included:
- potato starch;
- lactose monohydrate;
- icing sugar;
- basic magnesium carbonate;
- magnesium stearate;
- low molecular weight medical polyvinylpyrrolidone.
Available in packs of 50 and 100 tablets.
Akrikhin (Russia)
Only one variant of levothyroxine sodium concentration is available: 100 mcg. The following are added to the composition:
- lactose;
- ludypress;
- magnesium stearate.
The package contains 100 tablets.
Ozon (Russia)
The main active ingredient: 50 and 100 mcg. No additional components are listed in the composition of the tablets. Packs of 50 and 100 are available.
L-thyroxine and other manufacturers can be purchased in pharmacies: 1A Pharma, Hexal, Jod Winthrop, etc.
Mechanism of Weight Loss
Why is Thyroxine good for weight loss? According to studies, it surpasses not only fat-burning dietary supplements but also similar medications in effectiveness. It has a complex effect on the body, specifically targeting the processes that contribute to intensive weight loss:
- accelerates metabolism;
- increases heat production, acting as a thermogenic;
- increases calorie expenditure;
- stimulates the central nervous system, prolonging the state of wakefulness and activity, increasing work capacity, and reducing the need for sleep, which allows it to be used as an energy source for sports;
- suppresses appetite (we have already discussed other similar medications).
Its availability and high effectiveness have made Thyroxine popular among bodybuilders and anyone looking to lose weight quickly. It is one of the few weight loss remedies that actually works. However, it is important to remember that this is not a harmless dietary supplement but a powerful hormonal drug.
Indications
According to the law, Thyroxine must be dispensed in pharmacies with a prescription, as it has a strictly defined range of indications and is a potent hormonal drug. Nonetheless, in reality, it is sold over the counter in many pharmacies. In medicine, it is used to treat various diseases:
- hypothyroidism;
- obesity;
- cretinism;
- euthyroid hyperplasia of the thyroid gland;
- cerebro-pituitary diseases;
- recurrent diffuse euthyroid and nodular goiter after thyroid resection;
- Graves’ and Hashimoto’s diseases;
- papillary and follicular carcinoma;
- thyroid cancer.
Those who have decided to lose weight with L-Thyroxine should be reassured that obesity is included in the list of indications. However, the drug will only be effective if the BMI significantly exceeds the norm. If you plan to lose up to 5 kg, you should not resort to such a potent remedy.
If the thyroid gland functions properly, there is no point in taking L-Thyroxine, as it will lead to an excess of this hormone in the body. Therefore, experts recommend getting a blood test to measure the level of this hormone. For men, the normal level is 60-135 nmol/l (+/- slight deviations dictated by individual characteristics of the body), for women, this range is 70-140 nmol/l.
Contraindications
Absolute contraindications for taking L-thyroxine:
- individual intolerance to the active ingredient;
- acute myocardial infarction;
- inflammation of the heart muscle;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- hypocorticism;
- hereditary galactosemia, lactase deficiency, impaired intestinal absorption syndrome.
Relative contraindications requiring mandatory prior medical consultation:
- cardiovascular diseases: history of myocardial infarction, ischemia, angina, atherosclerosis, arrhythmia, hypertension;
- severe hypothyroidism;
- diabetes.
Failure to comply with contraindications and an improperly selected dose of Thyroxine can lead to severe health complications. This is perhaps the only but significant drawback of this drug, which makes many people refuse to use it.
Common side effects:
- unexplained anxiety, tremors, headaches, insomnia;
- heart problems: arrhythmia, angina, extrasystole, tachycardia;
- vomiting, diarrhea;
- skin rashes, itching, angioedema;
- menstrual irregularities;
- hyperhidrosis, hyperthermia, feeling of fever, increased weakness, muscle cramps;
- allergic reactions: bronchospasm, urticaria, laryngeal edema, anaphylactic shock.
If such symptoms appear, it is necessary to either reduce the dose or stop taking it entirely for 4-5 days. After they disappear, you can continue taking the tablets, but with great caution, only after consulting a doctor
