What's this
Eutirox ® is the trade name of a drug based on levothyroxine sodium (or L-thyroxine sodium). This active ingredient is a synthetic analogue of the hormone T4, indicated in hormone replacement therapy of hypothyroidism.
In practice, taking eutirox makes up for the thyroxine deficiency caused by reduced thyroid activity.
The illustrative leaflet of the Eutirox drug is available by clicking here
Why use it
Advantages compared to triiodothyronine
Synthetic thyroxine also has significant advantages over the other synthetic thyroid hormone, called T3 or triiodothyronine. The analogues of the latter hormone, in fact, have a half-life of 24 hours against 8 days of eutirox and the like, which for this reason are better tolerated by the patient (only one daily intake is sufficient).
Furthermore, T4 is in fact a pro-hormone, which is converted to T3, considerably increasing its activity; the administration of eutirox and analogues, therefore, allows to obtain a more physiological effect, because it is capable of reproducing the physiological levels of both T3 and T4.
Eutirox and Hypothyroidism
The therapy of hypothyroidism with eutirox aims to normalize the levels of TSH, the pituitary hormone that stimulates the thyroid to produce T3 and T4: if the gland works too much, the body tries to compensate by decreasing the secretion of TSH; conversely, hypothyroidism is traditionally accompanied by elevated blood TSH values.
Given the above, taking an excessive dose of eutirox leads to a drop in TSH below the physiological values.
Due to the need to customize the therapy, the eutirox is available in tablets of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 mcg of levothyroxine sodium.
Eutirox for weight loss
Thyroid hormone administration significantly stimulates body metabolism, increasing daily energy expenditure.
Not surprisingly, some typical symptoms of hyperthyroidism are represented by conspicuous sweating, rapid weight loss and reduced tolerance to high temperatures.
The use of eutirox for weight loss is not without risk; Excessive doses can cause tachycardias, anginal pain, tremors, skeletal muscle cramps, hot flushes, diarrhea, nausea, arrhythmias and insomnia. In addition, chronic drug abuse can permanently alter thyroid function, turning a healthy person into a sick person. The side effects of eutirox are more formidable for those affected by myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, myocarditis or heart failure with tachycardia.
For all these side effects, the medicine is not normally used to treat obesity.
If in your own unconsciousness you decide to take eutirox for the sole purpose of losing weight, you can limit the side effects (certainly not eliminate them ...) by following some simple tips: do not exceed the recommended doses (max 200 mcg / day); start the cycle with a very low dosage (25-50 mcg / day), increasing it gradually (+25 mg every one or two days).
The treatment should not last longer than 30 days and should never be suspended abruptly: the daily dose of eutirox should be reduced by 25-50 mcg every two or three days.
One last tip?
Avoid taking eutirox for weight loss, you could pay the side effects at a high price.
