Alternative uses for Synthroid?

Hi AllNurses,

I just had my second day of clinicals on the med surg unit and my patient had been in for 11 days. Pt was admitted to have a rectal mass removed, and received a new ileostomy. The surgical wound became infected by a leaking ostomy appliance, so pt was being treated for that. I'm now working on the care plan, and I am perplexed by the order for IV Synthroid. I did not see anything in his history indicating hypothyroid, nor that he was on Synthroid prior to this hospitalization. Are there unlabeled uses for Synthroid that might be related to this condition? A little more on pt's diagnoses... pt is recovering from post-op pneumonia, is bipolar and autistic. Labs normal except for the hematology labs being slightly below normal. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Last edit by CareGiving on Feb 8, '11
Did you check the thyroid function labs?

Oddly, I could not find thyroid function labs in the chart anywhere, and I scoured the Labs tab and the pt's history!

Is the pt overweight? I read an article recently about using it for weight loss. If this is for the pt you are caring for, you should ask the nurse you are working with because he/she will have all of the information or just ask the doctor, I used to be petrified of doctors but if you are giving a med or if the pt you are caring for is receiving it, they should answer your questions.

Thanks for your reply, PacificNWNurse. No, the pt wasn't overweight at all, and was in quite good health prior to this hospital visit. I definitely understand the importance of knowing why a patient is receiving a med if I am giving it. I was not passing meds that day, and it was a question I didn't get to ask while I was at the hospital and now I'm home and kicking myself for it!

Increasing the level of thyroid hormone can increase peristalsis without causing diarrhea. Since your patient had a rectal mass, it is possible the physician is prophylaxing for future bowel issues.

I can't seem to think of any reason why iv synthroid was ordered except as an error. Weight would not be a good indication unless low levels of thryoid hormone are the cause. Besides, an acute care setting (I am assuming it is a hospital) would not be the place to implement weight loss. In regards to increasing peristalsis I would be concerned if it was used for this. Over abundance of thyroid hormone would increase overall metabolism.HR and BP would increase also. It would be an increase in risk for stroke. Without knowing a persons baseline thyroid levels I would be concerned to order synthryoid even if for issues mentioned.

Bipolar patients get prescribed synthyroid... Hth

I think Bipolar patients are prescribe synthroid because Lithium blocks a step of thyroid hormone synthesis.

IV Synthroid? I wasn't aware it was given IV. Where have I been????

Quote from PacificNWNurseStephIs the pt overweight? I read an article recently about using it for weight loss. If this is for the pt you are caring for, you should ask the nurse you are working with because he/she will have all of the information or just ask the doctor, I used to be petrified of doctors but if you are giving a med or if the pt you are caring for is receiving it, they should answer your questions.

Quote from countryboyIncreasing the level of thyroid hormone can increase peristalsis without causing diarrhea. Since your patient had a rectal mass, it is possible the physician is prophylaxing for future bowel issues.

people who are bipolar and take lithium often have thyroid problems because of the lithium. Therefore they can get hypothyroid and need a replacement which is why synthroid may have been ordered