Question

Joe Clark, a 56-year-old male client, is newly diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism. He is a principal at a local high school. The laboratory results included TSH, 22 mIu/L (normal range: <7 mIu/L); T4, 3.5 mcg/d (normal range: 5 to12 mcg/dL); Total T3, 75 mcg/dL (normal range: 80 to 220 mcg/dL); Free T4 or FT4, 0.5 mcg/dL (normal range: 0.7 to 2.0 mcg/dL); and Free T3, 1.7 mcg/dL (normal range: 2.3 to 4.2 mcg/dL). The vital signs are T, 97° F; BP, 92/50 mm Hg; HR (Apical pulse), 58 beats/minute and regular; RR, 12 breaths/minute. He stated that since his last visit to the clinic 2 days earlier, he has noticed that he has constipation and that his weight has increased another 3 lb despite eating very little because he has no appetite. He also stated that he is so tired he has trouble staying awake at work. He has problems remembering important things to do during the day. He also feels like he has an unusual quick temper toward others. He has a masklike face and periorbital edema, and the tongue is slightly enlarged. The client’s feet and hands are puffy and cold to touch. He asks the LPN/LVN to tell him how to manage hypothyroidism and more about the new medication, levothyroxine (Synthroid).

Explain the client education needed for a client receiving levothyroxine.

Answer 1

Joe clark is a patient recieving levothyroxin . Levothyroxin is a drug that is actually the genetic counterpart of T4 hormone. During taking levothyroxin some important factors should keep in mind.

Joe should know these while taking levothyroxin.

1) levothyroxin must take in empty stomach or minimum 30 mins before taking breakfast.

2) levothyroxin have to take orally , take the tablet in whole , it should not be crushed .

3) some foods should be avoided like grapefruit juice , walnuts,or high fibre foods.

4) levothyroxin should not be taken with any other weightloss medication .

5) Missed dose should be taken as soon as possible after remembering .but it should not be taken if the time of next dose of medication come closer , it should be taken in double dose .

6 ) it should not be taken if there is any symptoms of heart attack , or any kind of adrenal disorder .

7) some medication like calcium carbonate , heparin , propanolol , androgens, antacid with magnesium ,with levothyroxin so must inform doctors of you are taking this medicines .

8) levothyroxin on has certain sideffects which are mainly found in levothyroxin overdose like chestpain, anxiety , shortn ess of breath , difficulty in sleepwake cycle , confusion, nervousness, irritability ,sizure etc .so in that case must inform doctor.

9) the medicine should be taken 4 hour earlier if taking any counter medicine or any vitamin or any herbal medicine .

10) rest should be taken , regular follow up to doctors should be done .

11) During taking medicine dose , mfg date , name of medicine , expiary date should be checked properly .