levothyroxine + propylthiouracil

This combination refers to the use of two distinct thyroid-regulating medications, levothyroxine and propylthiouracil, as part of a clinical management strategy for thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy. Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4), which acts as an agonist at thyroid hormone receptors to treat hypothyroidism. Propylthiouracil is an antithyroid agent that inhibits the enzyme thyroid peroxidase, thereby reducing the synthesis of thyroid hormones, and also blocks the peripheral conversion of T4 to the more active triiodothyronine (T3). In the specific context of the Ospedale V. Fazzi trial (NCT00412828), these medications were titrated to achieve a euthyroid state in pregnant patients to evaluate whether universal screening for thyroid dysfunction improves pregnancy outcomes compared to a case-finding strategy.

Other names

levothyroxine and propylthiouracillevothyroxine + propylthiouracile