Patients on amiodarone should have periodic monitoring of which serum level?

Amiodarone is a potent antiarrhythmic medication that is widely used for managing various types of arrhythmias. One of the significant side effects of amiodarone is its impact on the thyroid gland, which can lead to either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism due to the iodine content of the drug.

Periodic monitoring of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels is essential for patients on amiodarone. This monitoring allows healthcare providers to assess the patient's thyroid function and make necessary adjustments to their treatment plan, especially since thyroid dysfunction can lead to serious complications if not detected and managed promptly.

Regular TSH level checks are recommended because both high levels, indicating hyperthyroidism, and low levels, indicating hypothyroidism, can occur in patients taking amiodarone. Early detection can help mitigate the risks associated with thyroid abnormalities.

Monitoring glucose levels, lipid panels, and BUN and creatinine is important in other contexts, but they are not specifically indicated for patients on amiodarone as direct indicators of the medication's potential adverse effects. Therefore, TSH is the critical serum level to monitor in this scenario.