Professional golfer Azahara Muñoz and endocrinologist Dr. Kenilia Ventura were recently featured on The Balancing Act®, a morning show created and produced by BrandStar, which airs weekdays at 7:30 a.m. ET on Lifetime TV®. Hosted by Montel Williams and Olga Villaverde, the program highlighted Muñoz’s personal story including her experience of living with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder that causes hypothyroidism. The 15-minute segment also informed viewers of the importance of proper thyroid function, including its critical role during pregnancy, factors that can interfere with the absorption of medication, and new approaches to treatment options for patients who experience symptoms even despite normal thyroid function.

Villaverde interviewed Muñoz and Dr. Ventura for the segment as they outlined the challenges Muñoz faced early on, such as fatigue, dizziness and hair loss, and the treatment that finally worked to control her symptoms. They emphasized the importance of listening to your body when symptoms persist and working with a trusted health care professional to receive proper treatment.

“I think it is so important to trust your body,” said Muñoz. “If you are being treated for hypothyroidism and still feeling achy or tired, then you should go back to your doctor and find a solution that works best for you.” 

During the segment, Dr. Ventura described how the thyroid gland plays a critical role in virtually every single organ in the human body, especially during pregnancy. She explained how a mother’s thyroid function affects the development of their baby’s brain and central nervous system.

“During the first three months of pregnancy, babies depend on 100% of their mother’s thyroid supplements to be able to develop properly,” said Dr. Ventura. “So, when I met Aza – who was pregnant at the time – we talked about her persisting symptoms, her clinical history, and what medications could be used safely while pregnant and beyond.”

Dr. Ventura talked about the treatment she prescribed to Muñoz called Tirosint®-SOL. Dr. Ventura explained why she typically prescribes Tirosint-SOL to patients who experience symptoms despite normal thyroid function or even those who have a lot of fluctuating levels and have required multiple dose adjustments in the past. She also discussed how Tirosint-SOL is a medication that pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding can use.

“Studies have found Tirosint-SOL’s concentrations to be very consistent because it is a liquid likely to be absorbed much faster than conventional tablet formulations,” added Dr. Ventura. “It is not affected by medications that can change the acidity of the stomach, and only contains three ingredients, so it’s less likely to have an issue with allergies or intolerances.”

Muñoz described how she felt when Dr. Ventura prescribed the three-ingredient levothyroxine solution to her, and how it helped her get back in full swing on and off the golf course.

“I really care what I put into my body. I’m quite healthy; I eat healthy, I exercise, and this is a medication that I’m going to have to take for the rest of my life,” added Muñoz. “It’s nice to know that I’m taking the purest option available, and I’ve been feeling super great since I’ve been taking it.”

Watch The Balancing Act with Aza Muñoz and Dr. Kenilia Ventura to learn more about Muñoz’s story. For more information about The Balancing Act, please visit thebalancingact.com.

About IBSA Pharma Inc.
IBSA Pharma Inc. is part of IBSA Group, which is headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland. The company is a world leader in the treatment of thyroid and musculoskeletal diseases and has a diversified product portfolio of prescription drugs. With products on five continents and over 90 countries, IBSA has a commitment to scientific research and improving the health of patients.

For more information about IBSA, visit ibsagroup.com.

About The Balancing Act®
The Balancing Act® is a morning show created and produced by BrandStar that offers sensible solutions and essential information in a fun, entertaining format, providing resources to help people do life better. The Balancing Act features everything from delicious recipes, style makeovers and dream getaways to parenting tips and the latest news in health and wealth. Tune in to The Balancing Act weekdays at 7:30 a.m. (ET/PT) on Lifetime®, and find all previously aired episodes on TheBalancingAct.com.

About BrandStar
We’re matchmakers, connecting People to Brands to Do Life Better. BrandStar has unparalleled experience in creating customized educational content for brands with laser-targeted extensive distribution through their multi-channel network ecosystem and methodology. From original television programming on Lifetime, BrandStar.tv, social media, digital marketing, to media management and PR, BrandStar helps brands connect with the right consumer, at the right time, with the right message, through all the right channels.

Contact:
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: NOT FOR THE TREATMENT OF OBESITY OR FOR WEIGHT LOSS.

  • See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning
  • Thyroid hormones, including TIROSINT-SOL, should not be used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss.
  • Doses beyond the range of daily hormonal requirements may produce serious or even life-threatening manifestations of toxicity

CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • Hypersensitivity to glycerol
  • Uncorrected adrenal insufficiency

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Cardiac adverse reactions in the elderly and in patients with underlying cardiovascular disease: Initiate TIROSINT-SOL at less than the full replacement dose because of the increased risk of cardiac adverse reactions, including atrial fibrillation
  • Myxedema coma: Do not use oral thyroid hormone drug products to treat myxedema coma
  • Acute adrenal crisis in patients with concomitant adrenal insufficiency: Treat with replacement glucocorticoids prior to initiation of TIROSINT-SOL treatment
  • Prevention of hyperthyroidism or incomplete treatment of hypothyroidism: Proper dose titration and careful monitoring is critical to prevent the persistence of hypothyroidism or the development of hyperthyroidism
  • Worsening of diabetic control: Therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus may worsen glycemic control and result in increased antidiabetic agent or insulin requirements. Carefully monitor glycemic control after starting, changing, or discontinuing thyroid hormone therapy
  • Decreased bone mineral density associated with thyroid hormone over-replacement. Over-replacement can increase bone reabsorption and decrease bone mineral density. Give the lowest effective dose

Limitations of Use

  • Not indicated for suppression of benign thyroid nodules and nontoxic diffuse goiter in iodine-sufficient patients
  • Not indicated for treatment of transient hypothyroidism during the recovery phase of subacute thyroiditis

Adverse Reactions

Common adverse reactions with TIROSINT-SOL are primarily those of hyperthyroidism due to therapeutic overdosage including arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, dyspnea, muscle spasm, headache, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, tremors, muscle weakness, increased appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, heat intolerance, menstrual irregularities, and skin rash.