This CE activity was originally published in The Rx Consultant. If you received credit for it previously, you cannot receive credit for it again.About 12% of the US population has some form of thyroid disease, and more than half of them are unaware of their condition. Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid condition. It affects about 2% of women and 0.1-0.2% of men; however, in adults over 60 years old, 6% of women and 2.5% of men have the condition.
Hypothyroidism is a chronic disease that requires lifelong treatment; fortunately, it can be easily managed with thyroid hormone replacement medication. The recommended treatment is levothyroxine, which was the most frequently prescribed drug in the US in 2019. Other thyroid hormone replacement medications are available in various products and strengths, which can be cause of confusion for healthcare providers and patients. Choosing the correct product and dose requires a full understanding of the disease and the treatments. Healthcare providers should be able to provide evidence-based recommendations, taking into consideration a patient's age, concurrent medical conditions, and other medications. This issue will review the pathophysiology and clinical features of hypothyroidism, as well as drug therapy considerations. Treatment strategies for older adults, children, and pregnant women are summarized. Subclinical hypothyroidism is also discussed.
Fee
CE Hours
CE Units
Activity Type
- Knowledge
Target Audience(s)
- Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Registered Nurses
Accreditation(s)
CE activities for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians:
This continuing education (CE) activity meets the requirements of all state boards of pharmacy for approved continuing education hours. CE credit is automatically reported to CPE Monitor.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for formally approved continuing education (CE) hours, and CE hours of pharmacotherapeutics.
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) for acceptable, accredited CE.
- The ANCC requires all advanced practice nursing certificants (CNSs and NPs) to complete 25 CE hours of pharmacotherapeutics as a portion of the required 75 continuing education hours.
- Pharmacology CE is recommended by the AANPCP and will be required for Certificants renewing certification starting January 2017.
- Most State Boards of Nursing require a minimum number of pharmacy contact hours to renew an advanced practice license.
Requirements for CE Credit
Objectives
- Describe the pathophysiology of hypothyroidism; list common signs and symptoms.
- Discuss thyroid hormone replacement products, their advantages and disadvantages, and their interchangeability.
- Describe the risks of thyroid hormone replacement therapy and recommended monitoring parameters. Discuss the current recommendations for special populations (eg, subclinical hypothyroidism, pregnancy, congenital hypothyroidism).
- Counsel a patient who requires thyroid hormone replacement on proper administration, and potential drug interactions.
Speaker(s)/Author(s)
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Michelle K. Lee Chu
Brief Bio : Michelle K. Lee Chu, PharmD, CDE, BCACP; Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist, University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, CA. |
Activity Number
0428-0000-19-013-H01-P