From the FDA Drug Label
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Thyroid hormones enhance oxygen consumption by most tissues of the body and increase the basal metabolic rate and the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. During periods of illness or stress, this conversion is often inhibited and can be diverted to the inactive reverse T 3 (rT 3) moiety Therefore, correction of the hypothyroid condition in patients with myxedema coma is facilitated by the parenteral administration of triiodothyronine (T 3). The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
T3 (liothyronine) should not be taken immediately after dental surgery, and it is recommended to wait until any bleeding has stopped completely and you can safely swallow medication, typically 24-48 hours post-procedure. This approach prioritizes minimizing potential complications and ensuring the patient's safety during the post-surgical period. According to the most recent and highest quality study available, 1, the focus should be on establishing a diagnosis of overt hypothyroidism and optimizing levothyroxine doses before considering any adjustments to thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
Key Considerations
- The decision to resume T3 medication should be based on the patient's ability to safely swallow oral medications, which is typically 24-48 hours after dental surgery.
- It is essential to inform the dentist about all medications, including T3, before any dental procedure to ensure appropriate care.
- If a patient experiences severe pain, excessive bleeding, or signs of infection after dental surgery, they should seek immediate dental or medical attention, regardless of their medication schedule.
- T3 itself does not increase bleeding risk or interfere with dental healing, but proper medication administration is crucial for the patient's overall health.
Clinical Guidance
- The study 1 emphasizes the importance of shared decision-making between the patient and clinician regarding the use of liothyronine, especially in cases where patients have persistent symptoms despite adequate treatment with levothyroxine.
- Clinicians should not feel obliged to start or continue liothyronine medication if they judge it not to be in the patient's best interest, highlighting the need for personalized care in thyroid management.
- Other studies, such as 2, discuss the potential benefits of combination therapy with LT4 and LT3 for some hypothyroid patients who remain symptomatic despite normal serum thyrotropin levels, but this does not directly impact the management of T3 after dental surgery.