Thyroid Medications and Corticosteroids

Thyroid Agents: - Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl): synthetic T4 — first-line hypothyroidism - Liothyronine (Cytomel): synthetic T3 — rarely used; faster acting - Propylthiouracil (PTU): antithyroid; preferred in first trimester, thyroid storm - Methimazole (Tapazole): antithyroid; preferred outside pregnancy Corticosteroids: - Glucocorticoids: prednisone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone - Mineralocorticoids: fludrocortisone (Florinef) - Key clinical use: anti-inflammatory, immunosuppression, adrenal replacement, pulmonary (betamethasone in preterm labor) On the exam, writers often pair stable-sounding options with unstable data—notice the mismatch before you commit. If the stem names a license or role, reread that line; scope errors are classic trap answers even when the clinical topic is familiar. Run a 60-second scan: breathing work and oxygenation, perfusion and end organs, neuro baseline, likely infection sources, and devices that can fail quietly. When two answers feel partly right, pick the one that reduces imminent harm and matches orders for the role you were given. Train yourself to state the primary risk in one short phrase before you read the options so distractors do not rewrite your priority list. On the exam, writers often pair stable-sounding options with...