Liotrix

Liotrix

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Thyroid hormone. A mixture of liothyronine sodium and levothyroxine sodium in a ratio of 1:4 in terms of weight; used for replacement therapy in conditions in which there is deficient production of thyroid hormones, administered orally.

Code Liotrix as hormonal in papillary, follicular or oncocytic thyroid carcinoma. Do not code if it is medullary or anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.
Rationale:
In papillary, follicular and oncocytic carcinoma Liotrix has a dual role: 1. Suppression of TSH: This would be considered cancer directed therapy since the tumor cells of the above mentioned morphologies express TSH receptor. TSH is a trophic hormone that can promote tumor growth. 2. Hormonal replacement therapy to treat post-surgical or post-radiation hypothyroidism.

C-cells in medullary carcinoma do not express TSH receptor, thus, TSH suppression would not be indicated. However, replacement hormonal therapy with thyroid hormones (such as Liotrix) post surgery is given to treat the post-surgical hypothyroidism. In operable thyroid anaplastic carcinoma the goal of thyroid hormone therapy is hormone replacement.

Please see remarks for additional information