Definition

Noun: 1. A synthetic thyroid hormone: Liothyronine is a man-made form of a specific thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine, or T3). It is chemically identical to the T3 hormone naturally produced by the thyroid gland. 2. A medication for thyroid hormone deficiency: It is used to treat conditions like hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and certain types of goiter. It acts more quickly and potently than the more commonly prescribed thyroid hormone, thyroxine (T4).

Usage Examples

• As a medical substance:
  • The doctor prescribed liothyronine to quickly elevate the patient's severely low thyroid hormone levels.
  • This formulation contains liothyronine sodium as its active ingredient.
• In a clinical context:
  • Treatment with liothyronine requires careful monitoring of heart rate and metabolic function.
  • She experienced rapid improvement in her symptoms after starting liothyronine.

Advanced Usage

• "Liothyronine therapy": Refers to the medical treatment regimen using this hormone.
  • The endocrinologist initiated liothyronine therapy for the patient with thyroid cancer after surgery.
• "Liothyronine suppression test": A diagnostic procedure where liothyronine is administered to assess the function of the thyroid gland or pituitary gland.
  • A liothyronine suppression test can help determine if a thyroid nodule is autonomous.

Variants and Related Words

• Triiodothyronine (T3) (n): The full scientific name for the natural hormone that liothyronine replicates. This is the compound it is chemically identical to.
  • The lab results showed a low level of triiodothyronine (T3).
• Cytomel (n): A common brand name for prescription liothyronine.
  • The prescription was written for Cytomel 5 mcg tablets.

Synonyms

• Triiodothyronine (T3): The biological equivalent.
• T3 hormone: A common abbreviated form.

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs)

• Levothyroxine: The synthetic form of thyroxine (T4), the other primary thyroid hormone, which is more commonly prescribed for long-term thyroid replacement.
• Hypothyroidism: The medical condition (underactive thyroid) for which liothyronine is a treatment.
• Hormone replacement: The general therapeutic category this medication belongs to.

Noun

1. thyroid hormone similar to thyroxine but with one less iodine atom per molecule and produced in smaller quantity; exerts the same biological effects as thyroxine but is more potent and briefer