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Ravensberg J, Poortvliet RKE, Du Puy R, Rodondi N, Blum M, Kearney P, McCarthy VJC, Quinn T, Dekkers O, Jukema W, Mooijaart S, Gussekloo J. Patient-Reported Satisfaction with Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy for Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Older Adults: A Pooled Analysis of Individual Participant Data from Two Randomized Controlled Trials. Thyroid 2024; 34:702-712. [PMID: 38661527 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2023.0624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Background: The benefit of levothyroxine treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is subject to debate. This study compared treatment satisfaction between older adults with SCH using levothyroxine or placebo. Methods: We analyzed pooled individual participant data from two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials investigating the effects of levothyroxine treatment in older adults with SCH. Community-dwelling participants aged ≥65 years, with SCH (persistent thyrotropin levels 4.60-19.99 mIU/L for >3 months and normal free T4 level), were included. Intervention dose titration until thyrotropin levels normalized, with a mock dose adjustment of placebo. Treatment satisfaction was determined during the final study visit using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM), encompassing perceived effectiveness, side effects, convenience, and global satisfaction, along with the participants' desire to continue study medication after the trial. Results: We included 536 participants. At baseline, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 74.9 (69.7-81.4) years, and 292 (55%) were women. The median (IQR) thyrotropin levels were 5.80 (5.10-7.00) mIU/L at baseline in both groups; at final visit, 4.97 (3.90-6.35) mIU/L in the placebo and 3.24 (2.49-4.41) mIU/L in the levothyroxine group. After treatment, the groups did not differ significantly in global satisfaction (mean difference [CI] -1.1 [-4.5 to 2.1], p = 0.48), nor in any other domain of treatment satisfaction. These results held true regardless of baseline thyrotropin levels or symptom burden. No major differences were found in the numbers of participants who wished to continue medication after the trial (levothyroxine 35% vs. placebo 27%), did not wish to continue (levothyroxine 27% vs. placebo 30%), or did not know (levothyroxine 37% vs. placebo 42%) (p = 0.14). In a subpopulation with high symptom burden from hypothyroid symptoms at baseline, those using levothyroxine more often desired to continue the medication after the trial than those using placebo (mean difference [CI]: -21.1% [-35.6% to -6.5%]). Conclusion: These pooled data from two RCTs showed no major differences in treatment satisfaction between older adults receiving levothyroxine or placebo. This finding has important implications for decision-making regarding initiating levothyroxine treatment for SCH. Our findings generally support refraining from routinely prescribing levothyroxine in older adults with SCH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janneke Ravensberg
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- LUMC Center for Medicine for Older People, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Rosalinde K E Poortvliet
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- LUMC Center for Medicine for Older People, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Robert Du Puy
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Nicolas Rodondi
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Blum
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Vera J C McCarthy
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Terry Quinn
- The Academic Section of Geriatric Medicine, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Olaf Dekkers
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Wouter Jukema
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Simon Mooijaart
- LUMC Center for Medicine for Older People, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jacobijn Gussekloo
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- LUMC Center for Medicine for Older People, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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van Heemst D. The ageing thyroid: implications for longevity and patient care. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2024; 20:5-15. [PMID: 37923847 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00911-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones have vital roles in development, growth and energy metabolism. Within the past two decades, disturbances in thyroid hormone action have been implicated in ageing and the development of age-related diseases. This Review will consider results from biomedical studies that have identified the importance of precise temporospatial regulation of thyroid hormone action for local tissue maintenance and repair. Age-related disturbances in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis are thought to be important drivers of age-related disease. In most iodine-proficient human populations without thyroid disease, the mean, median and 97.5 centile for circulating concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone are progressively higher in adults over 80 years of age compared with middle-aged (50-59 years) and younger (20-29 years) adults. This trend has been shown to extend into advanced ages (over 100 years). Here, potential causes and consequences of the altered thyroid status observed in old age and its association with longevity will be discussed. In about 5-20% of adults at least 65 years of age, thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations are elevated but circulating concentrations of thyroid hormone are within the population reference range, a condition referred to as subclinical hypothyroidism. Results from randomized clinical trials that have tested the clinical benefit of thyroid hormone replacement therapy in older adults with mild subclinical hypothyroidism will be discussed, as well as the implications of these findings for screening and treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana van Heemst
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.
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Urgatz B, Razvi S. Subclinical hypothyroidism, outcomes and management guidelines: a narrative review and update of recent literature. Curr Med Res Opin 2023; 39:351-365. [PMID: 36632720 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2023.2165811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is diagnosed when serum thyroid stimulation hormone (thyrotropin; TSH) levels are above the reference range, accompanied by levels of free thyroxine within its reference range. The management of SCH remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge despite many years of research relating to its epidemiology, aetiology, effectiveness of treatment and safety. European Thyroid Association (ETA) guidelines for the management of SCH were published almost a decade ago. This narrative review summarizes the clinical literature relating to SCH and outcomes since the publication of these guidelines. Clinical evidence emerging during the previous decade generally supports the view that SCH is associated with adverse outcomes to an extent that is intermediate between euthyroidism and overt hypothyroidism although evidence that treatment with thyroid hormone replacement is beneficial is lacking. Accordingly, the rationale for the recommendations for intervention in the ETA guidelines based on the age of the patient, level of serum TSH, symptoms and comorbidities remains valid today.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Salman Razvi
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
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The Relationship between Gastrointestinal Health, Micronutrient Concentrations, and Autoimmunity: A Focus on the Thyroid. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14173572. [PMID: 36079838 PMCID: PMC9460308 DOI: 10.3390/nu14173572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, there is a lack of understanding of why many patients with thyroid dysfunction remain symptomatic despite being biochemically euthyroid. Gastrointestinal (GI) health is imperative for absorption of thyroid-specific nutrients as well as thyroid function directly. This comprehensive narrative review describes the impact of what the authors have conceptualized as the “nutrient–GI–thyroid axis”. Compelling evidence reveals how gastrointestinal health could be seen as the epicenter of thyroid-related care given that: (1) GI conditions can lower thyroid-specific nutrients; (2) GI care can improve status of thyroid-specific nutrients; (3) GI conditions are at least 45 times more common than hypothyroidism; (4) GI care can resolve symptoms thought to be from thyroid dysfunction; and (5) GI health can affect thyroid autoimmunity. A new appreciation for GI health could be the missing link to better nutrient status, thyroid status, and clinical care for those with thyroid dysfunction.
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