Question:easy
What will you give to treat hypothyroidism in a patient with ischemic heart disease?
What will you give to treat hypothyroidism in a patient with ischemic heart disease?
Show Hint
Start low and go slow to spare the ischaemic myocardium.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Low dose of levothyroxine
- Normal dose of levothyroxine
- Do not give levothyroxine
- Thyroid extract
Show Solution
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
A patient with coronary artery disease who is also hypothyroid presents a balancing problem. The hypothyroid state cannot simply be ignored, because leaving it untreated raises cholesterol and depresses cardiac performance, yet thyroid hormone itself speeds the heart and raises its oxygen requirement. Loading such a heart with a full dose of levothyroxine at once can tip an already compromised coronary supply into angina or even infarction. The accepted strategy, therefore, is to begin replacement gently, using a small starting dose and increasing it in small increments over several weeks while watching for chest pain or rhythm disturbance. This start-low go-slow plan lets the myocardium adapt to the rising metabolic demand. The other choices are inferior, a normal full dose is hazardous, completely withholding hormone fails to treat the disease, and crude thyroid extract delivers an erratic hormone mix. The correct management is a cautious low starting dose of levothyroxine.
\[\boxed{\text{Low dose of levothyroxine}}\]
\[\boxed{\text{Low dose of levothyroxine}}\]
Was this answer helpful?
0
