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Levothyroxine administration — GPhC CRA MCQ

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ModerateEndocrine TherapeuticsLevothyroxine administrationGPhC CRA

A patient newly prescribed levothyroxine 50 micrograms daily also takes ferrous sulfate and calcium carbonate. She asks how to take the medicines. What would you advise the patient?

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Correct answer: C — Take levothyroxine on an empty stomach and separate it from iron and calcium

Iron and calcium can reduce levothyroxine absorption. Levothyroxine is usually taken consistently on an empty stomach, with interacting medicines separated by several hours. The patient should follow thyroid function monitoring and report symptoms of under- or over-replacement.

Reference: BNF