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L-Thyroxine (Levothyroxine):

Structure

  • L-Thyroxine, also known as levothyroxine, is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) with a tyrosine backbone and four iodine atoms.

  • Chemical Formula: C₁₈H₁₉I₄NO₄

    formula of L-Thyroxine
Structure of L-Thyroxine
Structure of L-Thyroxine

Mode of Action

  • Thyroid Hormone Replacement: Mimics endogenous thyroxine, binding to thyroid hormone receptors in the nucleus of target cells.

  • Metabolic Regulation: Enhances basal metabolic rate by increasing oxygen consumption and heat production.

  • Growth and Development: Essential for normal growth, neurological development, and differentiation in various tissues.

  • Cardiovascular Effects: Increases heart rate, cardiac contractility, and enhances cardiac output.

Uses

  • Hypothyroidism: Replaces deficient thyroid hormones to restore normal metabolic function.

  • Myxedema Coma: Emergency treatment of severe hypothyroidism with life-threatening symptoms.

  • Goiter: Manages thyroid enlargement by providing negative feedback on thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion.

  • Thyroid Cancer: As part of adjuvant therapy to suppress TSH and inhibit tumor growth.

  • Scholarly Use: Employed in studies investigating thyroid hormone physiology and metabolism.


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