Objective Effects of Dextrothyroxine Therapy

Abstract

Treatment of 70 patients for 1 year with the dextro isomer of thyroxine in daily doses of 4-8 mg produced an average serum cholesterol drop of over 25%. No calorigenic effect was noted. Angina usually improved and never prevented use of the drug. Tuberous and tendon xanthomas were measurably reduced in size or disappeared. After a 25% fall in cholesterol, further drop occurred with addition of 1.5 g of nicotinic acid daily. Anticoagulant effect of warfarin sodium was regularly potentiated. This may be a useful effect but requires care to avoid bleeding. Liver function remained normal.