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Hypothyroidism Dental Management — NDEB AFK MCQ

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EasyMedical Emergencies in DentistryHypothyroidism Dental ManagementNDEB AFK

A patient with controlled hypothyroidism on levothyroxine replacement presents for routine dental treatment. Which of the following is the correct approach?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: E — Treat normally — controlled hypothyroidism on adequate replacement therapy requires no special dental modifications

Patients with well-controlled hypothyroidism on stable levothyroxine replacement therapy can undergo routine dental treatment without special modifications. Their thyroid function is normalised by the replacement therapy. However, uncontrolled or severely hypothyroid patients may have reduced metabolism of drugs (prolonging anaesthetic/sedative effects), increased sensitivity to CNS depressants, and (rarely) myxoedema coma if severely undertreated. Dental treatment should be deferred in severely uncontrolled hypothyroidism.

Reference: Malamed – Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office, 8th ed., 2022