Liothyronine is primarily prescribed for the treatment of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism, also known as an underactive thyroid, is a disorder in which your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough hormones to meet your body’s needs. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck which produces hormones that control how your body uses energy. These important hormones control many of your body’s most important functions including your metabolism, breathing, heart rate, digestion, and mood. When your thyroid slows down, these functions can be negatively affected.
Some symptoms of a slow thyroid include:
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Muscle weakness, stiffness, and/or aches
- Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
- Sudden weight gain (and difficulty losing it)
- High cholesterol
- Slow heart rate
- Dry, thinning hair
- Dry skin
- Swelling of the thyroid gland (called a goiter)
- A puffy face
In addition to its use as a treatment for hypothyroidism, liothyronine is also prescribed for the treatment of an enlarged thyroid gland (commonly known as a goiter). A goiter may or may not cause symptoms. In some cases, this enlarged gland can cause coughing, throat tightness, or difficulty breathing.