When is an injectable suitable?

If a patient has difficulties swallowing or has gastrointestinal issues (e.g. malabsorption) that affect oral medication absorption, the injectable form of levothyroxine may be used instead.

Injectable levothyroxine may be administered in emergency situations where rapid correction of severe hypothyroidism is necessary. Intravenous administration allows for quicker absorption and onset of action compared to oral ingestion.

Patients who have undergone certain types of surgeries or are critically ill may have impaired gastrointestinal function, making it difficult to absorb oral medications effectively.

In such cases, injectable levothyroxine may be used until the patient's ability to take oral medications is restored.

In some cases, patients in the hospital may have restrictions on oral intake due to procedures, surgery, or medical conditions.

Injectable levothyroxine allows healthcare providers to closely monitor and control the dosage and administration of the medication. This can be particularly useful if there are concerns about patient's ability to swallow.