Dextrothyroxine is a synthetic form of the hormone thyroxine, also known as levothyroxine, which is naturally produced by the thyroid gland. It is used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough of the hormone. Dextrothyroxine is usually taken orally once a day and may be taken with or without food. It may take several weeks for the body to adjust to the medication and for symptoms to improve. Side effects may include weight loss, headache, insomnia, and increased appetite.
Dextrothyroxine was a medication investigated for its cholesterol-lowering properties. It's a synthetic version of a thyroid hormone, but unlike the standard thyroid medication levothyroxine, dextrothyroxine is a specific mirror image molecule.
Here's a breakdown of dextrothyroxine:
- Function: Dextrothyroxine aimed to reduce high cholesterol levels (hyperlipidemia) by influencing how your liver processes cholesterol.
- Mechanism: Though not fully understood, it appears to increase the breakdown of LDL ("bad") cholesterol while potentially impacting lipoprotein(a) levels.
- Status: Dextrothyroxine was withdrawn due to side effects, particularly increased risk of heart problems.
Safer and more effective medications are currently available for managing cholesterol.