Preparations of levothyroxine | Right Decisions

Right Decisions
SPEG (Scottish Paediatric Endocrine Group)
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Management of congenital hypothyroidism
Preparations of levothyroxine

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

Written instructions on how to give thyroxine should be available and supplied to the parents.

Levothyroxine tablets

Available as 12.5microgram, 25 microgram, 50 microgram, 75 microgram or 100 microgram strength.
The tablets should be crushed and mixed with a small volume (less than 5ml) of liquid (formula, expressed breast milk or boiled and cooled water).
If necessary, a tablet cutter for halving tablets should be supplied to the family.
The first dose should be given by parents under the supervision of a nurse of pharmacist.

SPEG does not recommend using any of the liquid forms of thyroxine which are available including syrups, solutions and suspensions.

Tablets have been used extensively and successfully in the management of congenital hypothyroidism and therefore SPEG recommends the use of tablets, in accordance with European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology guidelines (ESPE) (1). Tablets are also much cheaper to use than other preparations.