A 61-year-old woman returns 6 weeks after starting levothyroxine for primary hypothyroidism. She feels slightly better. TSH has decreased from 18

Question

A 61-year-old woman returns 6 weeks after starting levothyroxine for primary hypothyroidism. She feels slightly better. TSH has decreased from 18 mIU/L to 7.5 mIU/L. She takes the medication with breakfast and calcium carbonate. Which of the following would you recommend at the follow-up visit?

Accepted Answer

Take levothyroxine on an empty stomach separated from calcium

Answer

Switch to methimazole

Answer

Add liothyronine as first-line therapy

Answer

Order radioactive iodine uptake

Answer

Stop levothyroxine because TSH improved

Levothyroxine administration — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

A 61-year-old woman returns 6 weeks after starting levothyroxine for primary hypothyroidism. She feels slightly better. TSH has decreased from 18 mIU/L to 7.5 mIU/L. She takes the medication with breakfast and calcium carbonate. Which of the following would you recommend at the follow-up visit?