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Liu H, Lu M, Hu J, Fu G, Feng Q, Sun S, Chen C. Medications and Food Interfering with the Bioavailability of Levothyroxine: A Systematic Review. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2023; 19:503-523. [PMID: 37384019 PMCID: PMC10295503 DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.s414460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Levothyroxine is a common prescribed drug. Many medications and food, however, can interfere with its bioavailability. The aim of this review was to summarize the medications, food and beverages that interact with levothyroxine and to assess their effects, mechanisms and treatments. Methods A systematic review on interfering substances that interact with levothyroxine was performed. Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, the Cochrane library, grey literature from other sources and the lists of references were searched for human studies comparing the levothyroxine efficacy with and without interfering substances. The patient characteristics, drug classes, effects and mechanism were extracted. The NHLBI study quality assessment tools and the JBI critical appraisal checklist were used to assess the quality of included studies. Results A total of 107 articles with 128 studies were included. Drugs interactions were revealed in calcium and iron supplements, proton pump inhibitors, bile acid sequestrants, phosphate binders, sex hormones, anticonvulsants and other drugs. Some food and beverage could also induce malabsorption. Proposed mechanisms included direct complexing, alkalization, alteration of serum thyroxine-binding globulin levels and acceleration of levothyroxine catabolism via deiodination. Dose adjustment, administration separation and discontinuation of interfering substances can eliminate the interactions. Liquid solutions and soft-gel capsules could eliminate the malabsorption due to chelation and alkalization. The qualities of most included studies were moderate. Conclusion Lots of medications and food can impair the bioavailability of levothyroxine. Clinicians, patients and pharmaceutical companies should be aware of the possible interactions. Further well-designed studies are needed to provide more solid evidence on treatment and mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanqing Liu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People’s Republic of China
| | - Man Lu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiawei Hu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guangzhao Fu
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qinyu Feng
- Department of Orthopedics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shengrong Sun
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chuang Chen
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People’s Republic of China
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Ma Z, Wang H, Shan S, Zhu K, Yuan L. Effect of metformin on type 2 diabetes mellitus based on the volume of thyroid nodules tracked by artificial intelligence. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH AND APPLIED SCIENCES 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jrras.2023.100566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
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Liu H, Li W, Zhang W, Sun S, Chen C. Levothyroxine: Conventional and novel drug delivery formulations. Endocr Rev 2022; 44:393-416. [PMID: 36412275 PMCID: PMC10166268 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnac030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Despite the fact that levothyroxine is one of the most prescribed medications in the world, its bioavailability has been reported to be impaired by many factors, including interfering drugs or foods and concomitant diseases, and persistent hypothyroidism with a high dose of levothyroxine is thus elicited. Persistent hypothyroidism can also be induced by noninterchangeability between formulations and poor compliance. To address these issues, some strategies have been developed. Novel formulations (liquid solutions and soft-gel capsules) have been designed to eliminate malabsorption. Some other delivery routes (injections, suppositories, sprays, and sublingual and transdermal administrations) are aimed at circumventing different difficulties in dosing, such as thyroid emergencies and dysphagia. Moreover, nanomaterials have been used to develop delivery systems for the sustained release of levothyroxine to improve patient compliance and reduce costs. Some delivery systems encapsulating nanoparticles show promising release profiles. In this review, we first summarize the medical conditions that interfere with the bioavailability of oral levothyroxine and discuss the underlying mechanisms and treatments. The efficacy of liquid solutions and soft-gel capsules are systematically evaluated. We further summarize the novel delivery routes for levothyroxine and their possible applications. Nanomaterials in the levothyroxine field are then discussed and compared based on their load and release profile. We hope the article provides novel insights into the drug delivery of levothyroxine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanqing Liu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengrong Sun
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuang Chen
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, People's Republic of China
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Effects of Slow-Acting Metformin Treatment on the Hormonal and Morphological Thyroid Profile in Patients with Insulin Resistance. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14101987. [PMID: 36297423 PMCID: PMC9607242 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14101987] [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: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Metformin appears to reduce TSH levels in untreated hypothyroid patients. In contrast, in euthyroid patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metformin is initially devoid of effects on TSH. However, it is followed by a significant reduction in TSH level after twelve months of treatment. Additionally, some evidence suggests that metformin may also improve thyroid morphological abnormalities. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of metformin not only on TSH and thyroid hormone values, but also on thyroid volume and nodules. A total of 50 patients (mean age: 36.9 ± 12.8 years) with insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index ≥2.5) and with thyroid uninodular disease were recruited for this study. They were prescribed slow-acting metformin at a daily dose of 500 mg for six months. Treatment with metformin in euthyroid patients with uninodular thyroid disease and insulin resistance reduces TSH levels, increases FT4 and FT3 values, and decreases thyroid and nodule volumes. These data suggest that metformin may be an effective drug not only for the treatment of T2DM and metabolic syndrome, but also for thyroid disease.
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Krysiak R, Kowalcze K, Okopień B. Differences in levothyroxine action on thyroid autoimmunity and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis activity between metformin- and myo-inositol-treated women with autoimmune subclinical hypothyroidism. J Clin Pharm Ther 2022; 47:1704-1710. [PMID: 35768336 DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.13727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE Insulin resistance impairs the impact of levothyroxine on thyroid autoimmunity and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis activity. Both metformin and myo-inositol were found to improve insulin sensitivity and to reduce thyrotropin levels in individuals with hypothyroidism. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of levothyroxine on thyroid autoimmunity and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis activity between women receiving metformin and myo-inositol. METHODS The study included two groups of women with autoimmune hypothyroidism, treated for at least 6 months with either metformin (group A; n = 25) or myo-inositol (group B; n = 25). Both groups were matched for age, insulin sensitivity, hormone levels and antibody titers. For the following 6 months, all women received levothyroxine. Plasma levels of glucose, insulin, thyrotropin, free thyroid hormones, prolactin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), as well as titers of thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the study. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION At baseline there were not differences between the study groups. Although levothyroxine reduced thyrotropin levels, increased free thyroid hormone levels and decreased antibody titers in both study groups, these effects were more pronounced in group A than group B. Only in group A, levothyroxine increased 25-hydroxyvitamin D, decreased hsCRP and improved insulin sensitivity. The impact of levothyroxine on thyrotropin and free thyroid hormones correlated with treatment-induced changes in insulin sensitivity, antibody titers, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and hsCRP. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION The present study suggests that the impact of levothyroxine on thyroid autoimmunity and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis activity is stronger in women receiving metformin than in women treated with myo-inositol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Krysiak
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Karolina Kowalcze
- Department of Pediatrics in Bytom, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Bogusław Okopień
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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Nagy EV, Perros P, Papini E, Katko M, Hegedüs L. New Formulations of Levothyroxine in the Treatment of Hypothyroidism: Trick or Treat? Thyroid 2021; 31:193-201. [PMID: 33003978 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2020.0515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background: Levothyroxine (LT4) as a medication is used by up to 5.3% of the adult population. For optimal efficacy, the traditional tablet formulation (LT4tab) requires that patients avoid concomitant ingestion with food, drinks, and certain medications, as well as excellent patient compliance. Some comorbidities influence bioavailability of LT4 and may mandate repeated dose adjustments. Summary: New LT4 formulations (soft gel [LT4soft] and liquid [LT4liq]) containing predissolved LT4 are claimed to improve bioavailability, presumably by facilitating absorption. Thus, these formulations may well be more suitable than LT4tab for patients whose daily requirements are subjected to variations in bioavailability. Here, we review the evidence and indications for use of new LT4 formulations and highlight areas of uncertainty that are worthy of further investigation. While bioequivalence is established for LT4soft and LT4liq administered to healthy volunteers compared with LT4tab in pharmacokinetic (PK) studies, therapeutic equivalence of the new formulations seems to be different in several clinical settings. Some evidence suggests that new formulations of LT4 may mitigate against the strict requirements relating to concomitant ingestion with food, drinks, and certain medications, which apply to traditional LT4 tablets. The principal indication is in selected patients with disease fluctuations and intermittent therapies with interfering medications, where the need for frequent dose adjustments and office visits may be diminished. Whether the use of LT4soft or LT4liq in patients with impaired gastric acid secretion results in better control of hypothyroidism than LT4tab remains unclear. Conclusions: The evidence in favor of using LT4soft and LT4liq in clinical practice over LT4tab is weak, and the underlying putative PK mechanisms unclear. Additional studies to investigate these potential benefits, define the cost-effectiveness, and understand the PK mechanisms involved with new LT4 formulations are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Endre V Nagy
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Petros Perros
- Department of Endocrinology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Enrico Papini
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Regina Apostolorum Hospital, Albano, Rome, Italy
| | - Monika Katko
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Laszlo Hegedüs
- Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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Huang B, Yang S, Ye S. Association between Thyroid Function and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Euthyroid Type 2 Diabetes Patients. J Diabetes Res 2020; 2020:6538208. [PMID: 32964054 PMCID: PMC7492895 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6538208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid function and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are both associated with increased risks of adverse clinical outcomes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our study is aimed at evaluating the association between thyroid function and NAFLD in T2DM patients with normal thyroid function (euthyroid) and analyzing the potential effects of metformin on the pathological process. Overall, 369 T2DM patients were enrolled between July 2017 and September 2018 and stratified into NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups. Data on age, gender, body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), metformin use, and basal metabolic rate (BMR) were obtained from participants' records. All patients were tested for biochemical markers, indexes of glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, bone metabolism, and thyroid function at baseline. Multivariate analyses detected increased odds of NAFLD among individuals with T2DM per unit increase in their BMI and free triiodothyronine (FT3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH); the odds ratios (OR) were 1.25, 3.02, and 1.58, respectively (all p < 0.05). Positive correlations were detected between alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and FT3 (r = 0.221, p = 0.010), and negative correlations were noted between TSH and BMR (r = -0.618, p < 0.001) and between BMR and FT3 (r = -0.452, p < 0.001) in T2DM subjects with NAFLD. A significant difference in serum FT3 (t = 2.468, p = 0.0167) and TSH (t = 2.658, p = 0.010) levels was found between obese individuals with NAFLD who used and did not use metformin. The pathological mechanism of T2DM complicated by NAFLD in euthyroid patients may be associated with insulin resistance and a thyroid hormone resistance-like manifestation, i.e., relevant hypothyroidism. Metformin can potentially decrease the double-resistance situation, especially in obese individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Huang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Shengju Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Shandong Ye
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
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Biondi B, Kahaly GJ, Robertson RP. Thyroid Dysfunction and Diabetes Mellitus: Two Closely Associated Disorders. Endocr Rev 2019; 40:789-824. [PMID: 30649221 PMCID: PMC6507635 DOI: 10.1210/er.2018-00163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid dysfunction and diabetes mellitus are closely linked. Several studies have documented the increased prevalence of thyroid disorders in patients with diabetes mellitus and vice versa. This review critically discusses the different underlying mechanisms linking type 1 and 2 diabetes and thyroid dysfunction to demonstrate that the association of these two common disorders is unlikely a simple coincidence. We assess the current state of knowledge on the central and peripheral control of thyroid hormone on food intake and glucose and lipid metabolism in target tissues (such as liver, white and brown adipose tissue, pancreatic β cells, and skeletal muscle) to explain the mechanism linking overt and subclinical hypothyroidism to type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. We also elucidate the common susceptibility genes and the pathogenetic mechanisms contributing to the autoimmune mechanism involved in the onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus and autoimmune thyroid disorders. An untreated thyroid dysfunction can impair the metabolic control of diabetic patients, and this association can have important repercussions on the outcome of both of these disorders. Therefore, we offer recommendations for the diagnosis, management, and screening of thyroid disorders in patients with diabetes mellitus, including the treatment of diabetic patients planning a pregnancy. We also discuss the major causes of failure to achieve an optimal management of thyroid dysfunction in diabetic patients and provide recommendations for assessing and treating these disorders during therapy with antidiabetic drugs. An algorithm for a correct approach of these disorders when linked is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadette Biondi
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - George J Kahaly
- Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | - R Paul Robertson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Meng X, Xu S, Chen G, Derwahl M, Liu C. Metformin and thyroid disease. J Endocrinol 2017; 233:R43-R51. [PMID: 28196954 DOI: 10.1530/joe-16-0450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
An intriguing area of research in thyroidology is the recently discovered association of insulin resistance with thyroid functional and morphological abnormalities. Individuals with hyperinsulinemia have larger thyroid gland and a higher prevalence of thyroid nodules and cancer. Accordingly, patients treated with metformin have a smaller thyroid volume and a lower risk of incident goiter, thyroid nodule and cancer. Multiple studies in vitro and in vivo have demonstrated that metformin can inhibit the growth of thyroid cells and different types of thyroid cancer cells by affecting the insulin/IGF1 and mTOR pathways. Besides, metformin treatment was associated with a decrease in the levels of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in diabetic patients possibly by enhancing the effects of thyroid hormones in the pituitary and activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Based on this evidence, metformin appears to be a promising therapeutic tool in patients with thyroid disease. More clinical studies are necessary to evaluate the clinical significance of metformin for the treatment of thyroid diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shuhang Xu
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineNanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Guofang Chen
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineNanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Michael Derwahl
- Division of EndocrinologyDepartment of Medicine, St. Hedwig Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chao Liu
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineNanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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