Thyroid hormone receptor agonists

Triiodothyronine, also known as T3, is a thyroid hormone. It affects almost every physiological process in the body, including growth and development, metabolism, body temperature, and heart rate.

hormones produced by the thyroid gland

Levothyroxine, also known as -thyroxine, is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4). It is used to treat thyroid hormone deficiency (hypothyroidism), including a severe form known as myxedema coma. It may also be used to treat and prevent certain types of thyroid tumors. It is not indicated for weight loss. Levothyroxine is taken orally (by mouth) or given by intravenous injection. Levothyroxine has a half-life of 7.5 days when taken daily, so about six weeks is required for it to reach a steady level in the blood.

Liothyronine is a manufactured form of the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3). It is most commonly used to treat hypothyroidism and myxedema coma. It can be taken by mouth or by injection into a vein.

Dextrothyroxine (trade name Choloxin) is a dextrorotary isomer of thyroxine. It saw research as a cholesterol-lowering drug but was pulled due to cardiac side-effects. It increases hepatic lipase which in turn improves utilization of triglycerides and decreases levels of lipoprotein(a) in blood serum.

Tiratricol (also known as TRIAC or triiodothyroacetic acid) is a thyroid hormone analogue. Triiodothyroacetic acid is also a physiologic thyroid hormone that is present in the normal organism in low concentrations. Tiratricol is an analogue of a naturally circulating metabolite of the active thyroid hormone T3. MCT8 is a specific thyroid hormone transporter. While T3 and T4 thyroid hormones rely on MCT8 to enter several tissues such as the brain, tiratricol can enter cells independently of MCT8. Once inside cells, tiratricol activates the thyroid hormone receptor in a similar way to endogenous

Liotrix is a 4:1 mixture of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) made synthetically. It is used to replenish thyroid hormones in thyroid deficiency and hypothyroidism. The only brand of liotrix available in the U.S. is Thyrolar, manufactured by Forest Laboratories.

Thyroid gland prepared for medical use