What is the half-life of thyroxine (T4)?

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There are no official guidelines to assist in answering this question. I will search for relevant research papers instead.

The FDA Drug Labels for thyroxine (PO) do not address this question.

From the Research

Half-Life of Thyroxine (T4)

  • The half-life of thyroxine (T4) is not explicitly stated in most of the provided studies.
  • However, one study 1 mentions that the plasma half-life of D-thyroxine (DT4) is less than 1 day.
  • Another study 2 mentions that synthetic levothyroxine (L-T4) has a long half-life, which allows for once-daily administration, but does not provide a specific value for the half-life of T4.
  • A study 3 mentions that dose adjustment of levothyroxine should only be considered after 6 to 12 weeks, given the long half-life of levothyroxine, implying that the half-life of T4 is around 6-12 weeks, but this is not a direct measurement of the half-life.
  • A study 4 mentions that the individual thyroxine half-life can be calculated after three weeks of treatment, but does not provide a specific value for the half-life of T4.

Related Information

  • The half-life of triiodothyronine (T3) is mentioned in one study 2 as being short, requiring twice-daily administration.
  • The half-life of D-thyroxine (DT4) is mentioned in one study 1 as being less than 1 day.
  • The studies provide information on the treatment of hypothyroidism with levothyroxine, including the dosage, administration, and monitoring of the treatment, but do not provide a direct answer to the question of the half-life of T4.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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