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The New England Journal of Medicine Jun 2017The use of levothyroxine to treat subclinical hypothyroidism is controversial. We aimed to determine whether levothyroxine provided clinical benefits in older persons... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
The use of levothyroxine to treat subclinical hypothyroidism is controversial. We aimed to determine whether levothyroxine provided clinical benefits in older persons with this condition.
METHODS
We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial involving 737 adults who were at least 65 years of age and who had persisting subclinical hypothyroidism (thyrotropin level, 4.60 to 19.99 mIU per liter; free thyroxine level within the reference range). A total of 368 patients were assigned to receive levothyroxine (at a starting dose of 50 μg daily, or 25 μg if the body weight was <50 kg or the patient had coronary heart disease), with dose adjustment according to the thyrotropin level; 369 patients were assigned to receive placebo with mock dose adjustment. The two primary outcomes were the change in the Hypothyroid Symptoms score and Tiredness score on a thyroid-related quality-of-life questionnaire at 1 year (range of each scale is 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more symptoms or tiredness, respectively; minimum clinically important difference, 9 points).
RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 74.4 years, and 396 patients (53.7%) were women. The mean (±SD) thyrotropin level was 6.40±2.01 mIU per liter at baseline; at 1 year, this level had decreased to 5.48 mIU per liter in the placebo group, as compared with 3.63 mIU per liter in the levothyroxine group (P<0.001), at a median dose of 50 μg. We found no differences in the mean change at 1 year in the Hypothyroid Symptoms score (0.2±15.3 in the placebo group and 0.2±14.4 in the levothyroxine group; between-group difference, 0.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.0 to 2.1) or the Tiredness score (3.2±17.7 and 3.8±18.4, respectively; between-group difference, 0.4; 95% CI, -2.1 to 2.9). No beneficial effects of levothyroxine were seen on secondary-outcome measures. There was no significant excess of serious adverse events prespecified as being of special interest.
CONCLUSIONS
Levothyroxine provided no apparent benefits in older persons with subclinical hypothyroidism. (Funded by European Union FP7 and others; TRUST ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01660126 .).
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Double-Blind Method; Fatigue; Female; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Intention to Treat Analysis; Male; Quality of Life; Thyrotropin; Thyroxine; Treatment Failure
PubMed: 28402245
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1603825 -
Medical Archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and... Feb 2022Hypothyroidism occurs as a consequence of chronic autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland, which occurs due to the reduced function in the secretion of hormones FT3...
BACKGROUND
Hypothyroidism occurs as a consequence of chronic autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland, which occurs due to the reduced function in the secretion of hormones FT3 and FT4 and requires replacement therapy for life. CoV-19 infection has shown many complications in all organic systems, during the acute phase of infection and in the post COVID period.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of the study was a) to compare the frequency of patient visits for hypothyroidism and the average dose of levothyroxine in the SANASA polyclinic in the year before COVID pandemic, in the early 2019, with the frequency of patient visits during COVID infection in 2020 and 2021; b) to determine the incidence of hypothyroidism after the COVID 19 infection, the time of onset of hypothyroidism after acute phase of the disease, and the average dose of levothyroxine; and c) to monitor the incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism, which did not require substitution, before and after COVID 19 infection.
METHODS
In the SANASA polyclinic from the 2019 database we found 58 patients, at the age between 18-70 years, 53 women and 2 men with hypothyroidism and 2 female and 1 male patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. In 2020 there were a total of 89 patients, 73 women and 4 men with hypothyroidism, and 9 women and 3 men with subclinical hypothyroidism. In the 2021 there were 101 patients, 86 women and 7 men with hypothyroidism and 7 female and 1 male patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.
RESULTS
There was a significant difference in the number of patients with hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism during 2020 and 2021 in relation to 2019. The average dose of levothyroxine per patient did not differ statistically, comparing all three years, as well as comparing those who were ill, compared to patients who did not have COVID-19. There were diagnoses of post COVID subclinical hypothyroidism in 2020, as in 2021, with an average time of diagnosis of 2 months after infection for clinical hypothyroidism and 8 weeks for subclinical hypothyroidism.
CONCLUSION
CoV-19 infection adversely affects thyroid tissue causing clinical hypothyroidism, requiring levothyroxine substitution as well as subclinical hypothyroidism which should be monitored.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; COVID-19; Female; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Male; Middle Aged; Thyrotropin; Thyroxine; Young Adult
PubMed: 35422565
DOI: 10.5455/medarh.2022.76.12-16 -
Current Opinion in Nephrology and... Nov 2019Hypothyroidism is a highly prevalent endocrine disorder in the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population, yet many cases may remain latent and undiagnosed. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Hypothyroidism is a highly prevalent endocrine disorder in the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population, yet many cases may remain latent and undiagnosed.
RECENT FINDINGS
Epidemiologic data show that there is a nearly five-fold higher prevalence of hypothyroidism in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients vs. those without CKD. Given that the metabolism, degradation, and excretion of thyroid hormone and its metabolites, as well as the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis may be altered in ESRD, certain considerations should be made when interpreting thyroid functional tests in these patients. Growing evidence shows that hypothyroidism and other thyroid functional test derangements are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease, worse patient-centered outcomes, and survival in the advanced CKD population, including those with ESRD. Although limited data examining treatment of hypothyroidism suggests benefit, further studies of the efficacy and safety of thyroid hormone supplementation, including clinical trials and rigorous longitudinal observational studies are needed to inform the management of thyroid dysfunction in CKD.
SUMMARY
Given the high burden of hypothyroidism in ESRD patients, and potential ill effects on their cardiovascular health, patient-centered outcomes, and survival, further research is needed to inform the optimal management of thyroid dysfunction in this population.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Prevalence
PubMed: 31483325
DOI: 10.1097/MNH.0000000000000542 -
American Family Physician Aug 2012Hypothyroidism is a clinical disorder commonly encountered by the primary care physician. Untreated hypothyroidism can contribute to hypertension, dyslipidemia,... (Review)
Review
Hypothyroidism is a clinical disorder commonly encountered by the primary care physician. Untreated hypothyroidism can contribute to hypertension, dyslipidemia, infertility, cognitive impairment, and neuromuscular dysfunction. Data derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey suggest that about one in 300 persons in the United States has hypothyroidism. The prevalence increases with age, and is higher in females than in males. Hypothyroidism may occur as a result of primary gland failure or insufficient thyroid gland stimulation by the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. Autoimmune thyroid disease is the most common etiology of hypothyroidism in the United States. Clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism are nonspecific and may be subtle, especially in older persons. The best laboratory assessment of thyroid function is a serum thyroid-stimulating hormone test. There is no evidence that screening asymptomatic adults improves outcomes. In the majority of patients, alleviation of symptoms can be accomplished through oral administration of synthetic levothyroxine, and most patients will require lifelong therapy. Combination triiodothyronine/thyroxine therapy has no advantages over thyroxine monotherapy and is not recommended. Among patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, those at greater risk of progressing to clinical disease, and who may be considered for therapy, include patients with thyroid-stimulating hormone levels greater than 10 mIU per L and those who have elevated thyroid peroxidase antibody titers.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Male; Thyroid Hormones; Thyroxine
PubMed: 22962987
DOI: No ID Found -
Revista de Neurologia Jul 2022Headache and hypothyroidism are common comorbidities. This is a cross-sectional study of the prevalence of hypothyroidism in headache patients in the largest Mexican...
INTRODUCTION
Headache and hypothyroidism are common comorbidities. This is a cross-sectional study of the prevalence of hypothyroidism in headache patients in the largest Mexican headache registry.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
PREMECEF is an e-database for patients with headaches. Data was recollected from July 2017-April 2019 in three centers of Monterrey, Mexico.
RESULTS
Of 869 patients, 35 (4%) had hypothyroidism. Four had two different headache diagnoses; of the 39 individual diagnoses, 23 were primary, 1 secondary, 13 cranial neuralgias, and 2 unspecified headaches. Hypothyroidism prevalence: 8.3% in unspecified, 6.5% in cranial neuralgias, 3.4% in primary, and 1.9% in secondary headaches; in tension-type headache (TTH) was 3.9%, in migraines 3.2%, in trigeminal neuralgia 6.1%, and in occipital neuralgia 6.3%.
CONCLUSION
This is the first report on the prevalence of hypothyroidism in occipital and trigeminal neuralgia. The prevalence of hypothyroidism in migraine and TTH is higher than the general population.
Topics: Comorbidity; Cranial Nerve Diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; Headache; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Mexico; Migraine Disorders; Neuralgia; Tension-Type Headache; Trigeminal Neuralgia
PubMed: 35765824
DOI: 10.33588/rn.7501.2022054 -
Endocrine May 2024To provide an overview of consequences of undertreatment with levothyroxine (LT4) in the common non-communicable disease, hypothyroidism. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
To provide an overview of consequences of undertreatment with levothyroxine (LT4) in the common non-communicable disease, hypothyroidism.
METHODS
Narrative review of the literature.
RESULTS
Hypothyroidism is globally very prevalent at all age groups and represents a non-communicable disease in which the risks and consequences are preventable. In children and adolescents, the most devastating consequences of undertreatment are poor growth and development. Lack of early treatment in congenital hypothyroidism can lead to permanent damage of brain function. In young to middle-aged adults, consequences are often overlooked, and treatment delayed by many years. The resulting consequences are also at this age group compromised brain and physical functioning but less severe and partly reversible with treatment. The undertreated condition often results in a higher risk of several secondary devastating diseases such as increased cardiovascular disease burden, obesity, hypertension, poor physical capacity, poor quality of life. In young women of fertile age the consequences of undertreatment with LT4 are subnormal fertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, preeclampsia, compromised fetal growth and neurocognitive development. There is a further risk of 30-50% of developing postpartum thyroiditis. In the elderly population care must be given to avoid confusing a slightly high serum TSH as result of physiological age adaptation with a requirement for LT4 treatment in a truly hypothyroid patient.
CONCLUSION
Undertreatment of the preventable non-communicable disease hypothyroidism requires more focus both from caretakers in the healthcare system, but also from the global political systems in order to prevent the personally devastating and socioeconomically challenging consequences.
Topics: Humans; Hypothyroidism; Thyroxine; Female; Pregnancy; Undertreatment
PubMed: 37556077
DOI: 10.1007/s12020-023-03460-1 -
Journal of Neural Transmission (Vienna,... Nov 2020The thyroid gland is among the organs at the greatest risk of cancer from ionizing radiation. Epidemiological evidence from survivors of radiation therapy, atomic... (Review)
Review
The thyroid gland is among the organs at the greatest risk of cancer from ionizing radiation. Epidemiological evidence from survivors of radiation therapy, atomic bombing, and the Chernobyl reactor accident, clearly shows that radiation exposure in childhood can cause thyroid cancer and benign thyroid nodules. Radiation exposure also may induce hypothyroidism and autoimmune reactions against the thyroid, but these effects are less well-documented. The literature includes only a few, methodologically weak animal studies regarding genetic/molecular mechanisms underlying hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity after radiation exposure. Rather, evidence about radiation-induced hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity derives mainly from follow-up studies in patients treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) or iodine-131, and from epidemiological studies in the atomic bombing or nuclear accident survivors. Historically, hypothyroidism after external irradiation of the thyroid in adulthood was considered not to develop below a 10-20 Gy dose threshold. Newer data suggest a 10 Gy threshold after EBRT. By contrast, data from patients after iodine-131 "internal radiation therapy" of Graves´ disease indicate that hypothyroidism rarely occurs below thyroid doses of 50 Gy. Studies in children affected by the Chernobyl accident indicate that the dose threshold for hypothyroidism may be considerably lower, 3-5 Gy, aligning with observations in A-bomb survivors exposed as children. The reasons for these dose differences in radiosensitivity are not fully understood. Other important questions about the development of hypothyroidism after radiation exposure e.g., in utero, about the interaction between autoimmunity and hypofunction, and about the different effects of internal and external irradiation still must be answered.
Topics: Adult; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Iodine Radioisotopes; Thyroid Neoplasms
PubMed: 33034734
DOI: 10.1007/s00702-020-02260-5 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Jun 2017The prevalence of latent/subclinical hypothyroidism is between 3% and 10%, according to epidemiologic studies that have been carried out in the USA, the United Kingdom,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of latent/subclinical hypothyroidism is between 3% and 10%, according to epidemiologic studies that have been carried out in the USA, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. As persons with latent hypo - thyroidism are often asymptomatic, the diagnosis is often made incidentally in routine laboratory testing.
METHODS
This review is based on a selective search in PubMed for publications on the diagnosis and treatment of latent hypothyroidism. All pertinent articles and guidelines published from 1 January 2000 to 31 July 2016 were included.
RESULTS
The diagnosis of latent hypothyroidism is generally assigned after repeated measurement of a TSH concentration above 4.0 mU/L in a person whose fT4 concentration is in the normal range. The most common cause is autoimmune thyroiditis, which can be detected by a test for autoantibodies. L-thyroxin supplementation is a controversial matter: its purpose is to prevent the development of overt hypothyroidism, but there is a danger of overtreatment, which increases the risk of fracture. To date, no benefit of L-thyroxin supplementation has been demonstrated with respect to morbidity and mortality, health-related quality of life, mental health, cognitive function, or reduction of overweight. There is, however, evidence of a beneficial effect on cardiac function in women, and on the vascular system. At present, treatment is generally considered indicated only if the TSH level exceeds 10.0 mU/L.
CONCLUSION
Limited data are available on the relevant clinical endpoints and undesired side effects of supplementation therapy. Physicians should advise patients about the indications for such treatment on an individual basis after due consideration of the risks and benefits.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Pregnancy; Prevalence; Quality of Life; Reference Values; Thyrotropin; Young Adult
PubMed: 28683860
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2017.430 -
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Oct 2023Hypothyroidism (HPT) HPT could be a risk factor for the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition, progressive neurodegeneration in AD may... (Review)
Review
Hypothyroidism (HPT) HPT could be a risk factor for the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition, progressive neurodegeneration in AD may affect the metabolism of thyroid hormones (THs) in the brain causing local brain HPT. Hence, the present review aimed to clarify the potential association between HPT and AD. HPT promotes the progression of AD by inducing the production of amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau protein phosphorylation with the development of synaptic plasticity and memory dysfunction. Besides, the metabolism of THs is dysregulated in AD due to the accumulation of Aβ and tau protein phosphorylation leading to local brain HPT. Additionally, HPT can affect AD neuropathology through various mechanistic pathways including dysregulation of transthyretin, oxidative stress, ER stress, autophagy dysfunction mitochondrial dysfunction, and inhibition of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Taken together there is a potential link between HPT and AD, as HPT adversely impacts AD neuropathology and the reverse is also true.
Topics: Humans; Alzheimer Disease; tau Proteins; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Brain; Hypothyroidism
PubMed: 37540395
DOI: 10.1007/s10571-023-01392-y -
American Family Physician Oct 2005Subclinical thyroid dysfunction is defined as an abnormal serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level (reference range: 0.45 to 4.50 microU per mL) and free thyroxine and... (Review)
Review
Subclinical thyroid dysfunction is defined as an abnormal serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level (reference range: 0.45 to 4.50 microU per mL) and free thyroxine and triiodothyronine levels within their reference ranges. The management of subclinical thyroid dysfunction is controversial. The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism is about 4 to 8.5 percent, and may be as high as 20 percent in women older than 60 years. Subclinical hyperthyroidism is found in approximately 2 percent of the population. Most national organizations recommend against routine screening of asymptomatic patients, but screening is recommended for high-risk populations. There is good evidence that subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with progression to overt disease. Patients with a serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level greater than 10 microU per mL have a higher incidence of elevated serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations; however, evidence is lacking for other associations. There is insufficient evidence that treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism is beneficial. A serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level of less than 0.1 microU per mL is associated with progression to overt hyperthyroidism, atrial fibrillation, reduced bone mineral density, and cardiac dysfunction. There is little evidence that early treatment alters the clinical course.
Topics: Algorithms; Female; Humans; Hyperthyroidism; Hypothyroidism; Mass Screening; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Thyroid Function Tests; Thyrotropin
PubMed: 16273818
DOI: No ID Found