Estimate starting dose for thyroid hormone replacement.
Full replacement is ~1.6 mcg/kg/day. TSH suppression (post-thyroidectomy for cancer) may need 2.0 mcg/kg/day. Elderly patients and those with coronary disease should start at 25 mcg/day and titrate slowly. TSH is rechecked 6–8 weeks after dose changes. Take on an empty stomach, 30–60 minutes before breakfast.