Levothyroxine administration — GPhC CRA MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardEndocrine TherapeuticsLevothyroxine administrationGPhC CRA

A woman taking levothyroxine confirms a six-week pregnancy. She feels well and asks whether to stop treatment until her first routine scan. What should the pharmacist advise?

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

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Continue levothyroxine and arrange early thyroid-function and dose review

Continue levothyroxine and arrange early thyroid-function and dose review: Adequate maternal thyroxine is important for pregnancy and fetal development; treatment should continue with early monitoring and prescriber-led dose adjustment. Stop levothyroxine until the pregnancy reaches the second trimester: Early pregnancy is particularly dependent on adequate maternal thyroid hormone. Reduce levothyroxine by half until the first routine antenatal scan: Levothyroxine is required in pregnancy and arbitrary reduction risks maternal and fetal hypothyroidism. Replace levothyroxine with an iodine supplement during early pregnancy: Iodine does not replace thyroid hormone and unmonitored supplementation may be harmful. Continue the current dose and defer thyroid testing until after delivery: Dose needs can change early and require prompt, repeated monitoring.

Reference: BNF: levothyroxine sodium: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/levothyroxine-sodium/; Levothyroxine tablets UK summary of product characteristics: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5682/smpc