Liothyronine Sodium

$20.00

Chemical Information and Compositions of Liothyronine Sodium

For researchers, biochemists, and wholesale distributors, the molecular structure of liothyronine sodium is a classic example of targeted hormonal design based on the amino acid tyrosine. Understanding its composition is vital for analytical testing, formulation, and predicting its biological behavior.

Official Chemical Nomenclature

  • Chemical Name: L-3-[3,5-Diiodo-4-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)phenyl]-2-alanine sodium salt
  • Chemical Formula: C15H11I3NNaO4
  • Molecular Weight: 672.96 g/mol
  • CAS Number: 55-06-1

Structural Composition Breakdown

liothyronine sodium is a synthetic, crystalline, water-soluble salt of the naturally occurring L-isomer of triiodothyronine. Its structural architecture is what dictates its profound receptor affinity and biological potency:

  1. The Tyrosine Backbone: At its core, the molecule is built upon the amino acid L-tyrosine. This allows it to be recognized by the same transport mechanisms and nuclear receptors that process endogenous thyroid hormones.
  2. The Three Iodine Atoms: The defining feature of T3 is the presence of three covalently bonded iodine atoms. Two are located at the 3 and 5 positions of the inner phenyl ring, and one is located at the 3′ position of the outer phenyl ring. (T4, by contrast, has four iodine atoms). It is this specific 3′,5-diiodo configuration that gives liothyronine sodium its immensely high binding affinity for the thyroid hormone receptor (TR), roughly 10 to 15 times greater than that of T4.
  3. The L-Isomer: The molecule is strictly the L-enantiomer (levorotatory). The D-isomer (dextrothyroxine) possesses significantly less metabolic activity and was historically used for its cholesterol-lowering effects before being discontinued due to cardiac risks. Only L-liothyronine is used for hormone replacement.
  4. The Sodium Salt: The base liothyronine molecule is highly lipophilic and poorly suited for stable, uniform oral tablet compression. By converting it into the sodium salt, the molecule gains the necessary stability and slight hydrophilicity required for pharmaceutical tableting and predictable gastrointestinal absorption.

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • State at Room Temperature: Solid (Crystalline or Fine Powder)
  • Color: Light tan to slightly yellow-brown (due to the presence of iodine and sensitivity to oxidation/light).
  • Solubility: Very slightly soluble in water; soluble in alkaline solutions and alcohols; practically insoluble in chloroform and ether.
  • Melting Point: Decomposes at high temperatures; does not have a distinct melting point, requiring careful handling during API synthesis.

Pharmacokinetics

  • Route of Administration: Oral
  • Absorption: Approximately 95% absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Unlike T4, which is heavily protein-bound and slowly absorbed, liothyronine sodium is absorbed rapidly, leading to a fast onset of action. Food can slightly delay absorption but does not significantly reduce it.
  • Half-Life: The biological half-life of liothyronine sodium is approximately 1 to 2.5 days (roughly 25-60 hours). This is significantly shorter than T4 (which has a half-life of 6-7 days). The shorter half-life allows for rapid titration of doses but necessitates careful, consistent daily dosing to avoid peaks and troughs in metabolic rate.
  • Protein Binding: Unlike T4 (which is 99.9% protein-bound), T3 is only about 99.5% bound to thyroid-binding globulin (TBG), transthyretin, and albumin. This higher “free” fraction contributes to its rapid tissue penetration and immediate physiological effects.
  • Metabolism: The primary metabolic pathway is sequential deiodination. T3 is deiodinated to T2 (diiodothyronine, which is largely inert) and further to monoiodotyrosine and tyrosine. It is also metabolized via conjugation (glucuronidation and sulfation) in the liver, with enterohepatic recirculation occurring.

Formulation Details: The Micro-Dose Pill

When you source wholesale liothyronine sodium, you are dealing with one of the most extreme micro-dose formulations in commercial pharmacology.

  • Standard clinical pills contain 5mcg, 25mcg, or 50mcg of the active API.
  • 25mcg equals 0.025 milligrams.
  • To put this in perspective, a standard tablet might weigh 150mg total, but only 0.025mg of that weight is the active liothyronine sodium. The API makes up only 0.016% of the total pill mass.

Standard excipients used to dilute and bind the API include:

  • Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC): Filler and binder.
  • Lactose Monohydrate: Diluent.
  • Croscarmellose Sodium: Disintegrant.
  • Magnesium Stearate: Lubricant.

The geometric dilution required to ensure that every single pill contains exactly 25mcg—without “hot spots” that could trigger a cardiac arrhythmia, or “dead spots” that provide zero metabolic effect—is the most critical manufacturing challenge for wholesale liothyronine sodium.

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