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Santos Monteiro S, Santos TS, Lopes AM, Oliveira JC, Freitas C, Couto Carvalho A. Levothyroxine malabsorption or pseudomalabsorption? A question in the management of refractory hypothyroidism. Endocr Connect 2022; 11:EC-22-0355. [PMID: 36318199 PMCID: PMC9716372 DOI: 10.1530/ec-22-0355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The levothyroxine absorption test (LT4AT) is an important tool for distinguishing hypothyroidism due to malabsorption from 'pseudomalabsorption' conditions. Our aim was to review our institution's LT4AT results and assess its role in the management of patients with refractory hypothyroidism. METHODS We performed a retrospective study of all patients evaluated for refractory hypothyroidism who underwent LT4AT in our tertiary center between 2014 and 2020. Its results and the impact on thyroid function management during follow-up were assessed. RESULTS Ten female patients were included with a mean age of 40 years (min-max: 26-62). Mean weight was 72 kg (min-max: 43-88) and baseline LT4 dosage ranged from 2.5 to 5.3 µg/kg/day. The most common causes of hypothyroidism were postsurgical in 50% (n = 5) and autoimmune in 20% (n = 2). During LT4AT, normal LT4 absorption was found in all but one individual (mean FT4 increase of 231%, min-max: 85-668). The only patient with objective LT4 absorption impairment (maximal increase of 48% by hour 5) presented also Helicobacter pylori gastritis and prior history of 'intestinal surgery' during childhood. No adverse events were reported during any of the LT4ATs. During follow-up (median 11.5 months (IQR 23)), three patients obtained euthyroidism and six had improved their hypothyroidism state. CONCLUSIONS The LT4AT is an effective and safe way to assess refractory hypothyroidism and provides valuable information to distinguish LT4 malabsorption from 'pseudomalabsorption'. Our data suggest that most patients with suspicious LT4 malabsorption perform normally during LT4AT. This test provides relevant information for better management of patients with refractory hypothyroidism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia Santos Monteiro
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. Department of Medicine, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence should be addressed to S Santos Monteiro:
| | - Tiago Silva Santos
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. Department of Medicine, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence should be addressed to S Santos Monteiro:
| | - Ana Martins Lopes
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. Department of Medicine, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar Porto, Portugal
| | - José Carlos Oliveira
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar Porto, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Freitas
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. Department of Medicine, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar Porto, Portugal
| | - André Couto Carvalho
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. Department of Medicine, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar Porto, Portugal
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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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Razvi S, Mrabeti S, Luster M. Managing symptoms in hypothyroid patients on adequate levothyroxine: a narrative review. Endocr Connect 2020; 9:R241-R250. [PMID: 33112818 PMCID: PMC7774765 DOI: 10.1530/ec-20-0205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The current standard of care for hypothyroidism is levothyroxine (LT4) monotherapy to reduce levels of thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone, TSH) within its reference range and amelioration of any symptoms. A substantial minority continues to report hypothyroid-like symptoms despite optimized TSH, however. These symptoms are not specific to thyroid dysfunction and are frequent among the euthyroid population, creating a therapeutic dilemma for the treating clinician as well as the patient. We present a concise, narrative review of the clinical research and evidence-based guidance on the management of this challenging population. The clinician may endeavor to ensure that the serum TSH is within the target range. However, the symptomatic patient may turn to alternative non-evidence-based therapies in the hope of obtaining relief. Accordingly, it is important for the clinician to check for conditions unrelated to the thyroid that could account for the ongoing symptoms such as other autoimmune conditions, anemia or mental health disorders. Systematic and thorough investigation of the potential causes of persistent symptoms while receiving LT4 therapy will resolve the problem for most patients. There may be some patients that may benefit from additional treatment with liothyronine (LT3), although it is unclear as yet as to which patient group may benefit the most from combined LT4 + LT3 therapy. In the future, personalized treatment with LT4 + LT3 may be of benefit for some patients with persistent symptoms of hypothyroidism such as those with polymorphisms in the deiodinase enzyme 2 (DIO2). For now, this remains a subject for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salman Razvi
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
- Correspondence should be addressed to S Razvi:
| | - Sanaa Mrabeti
- Medical Affairs EMEA, Merck Serono Middle East FZ-LLC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Markus Luster
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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Elbasan O, Gogas Yavuz D. REFRACTORY HYPOTHYROIDISM TO LEVOTHYROXINE TREATMENT: FIVE CASES OF PSEUDOMALABSORPTION. ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUCHAREST, ROMANIA : 2005) 2020; 16:339-345. [PMID: 33363657 PMCID: PMC7748222 DOI: 10.4183/aeb.2020.339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT A persistently elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level is a common clinical problem in primary hypothyroidism patients treated with levothyroxine (LT4). "Pseudomalabsorption", which is characterized by poor adherence,should be considered in cases of refractory hypothyroidism after excluding other causes, such as malabsorption. OBJECTIVE We reviewed the features of the patients with persistently elevated TSH despite high-dose LT4 therapy. DESIGN Symptom evaluation, medications, comorbid diseases and physical examination features of five patients who applied to our outpatient clinic between 2016-2019 and diagnosed with LT4 pseudomalabsorption were retrospectively analyzed. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The LT4 loading test was performed with an oral dose of 1,000 µg LT4. Demographic parameters, BMI, thyroid function tests, laboratory parameters for malabsorption were recorded. RESULTS We observed at least two-fold increase of free thyroxine levels during the test, which was considered pseudomalabsorption. Euthyroidism was achieved in two patients by increasing the LT4 dosage and in one patient with a change in the preparation. TSH decreased significantly after being informed about compliance in one patient. Another one was given LT4 twice weekly, but TSH remained elevated because of nonadherence. CONCLUSION The LT4 loading/absorption test is a valuable tool to confirm the diagnosis of pseudomalabsorption. Informing patients, changing the preparation, increasing the dose, supervised intake of daily/weekly LT4 forms are treatment options for managing these cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. Elbasan
- Marmara University School of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Istanbul, Turkey
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Ghosh S, Pramanik S, Biswas K, Bhattacharjee K, Sarkar R, Chowdhury S, Mukhopadhyay P. Levothyroxine Absorption Test to Differentiate Pseudomalabsorption from True Malabsorption. Eur Thyroid J 2020; 9:19-24. [PMID: 32071898 PMCID: PMC7024890 DOI: 10.1159/000504218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The levothyroxine absorption test for evaluation of pseudomalabsorption in patients with primary hypothyroid is not standardised. An individual in whom a workup for malabsorption is warranted remains undefined. METHODS Twenty-five euthyroid, 25 newly diagnosed hypothyroid, 25 treated hypothyroid with normalised TSH, and 25 hypothyroid subjects with elevated TSH despite adequate dose of levothyroxine for more than 6 months, and 10 euthyroid subjects with true malabsorption were administered levothyroxine (10 μg/kg or maximum 600 μg) to study its absorption profile by measuring free T4 level at hourly intervals for 5 h. Results : Free T4 peaked at 3 h with marginal insignificant decline at 4 h in all groups. The increments of free T4 (between baseline and 3 h) of the four groups (except malabsorption) were not statistically different. The mean increment of free T4 in true malabsorption was 0.39 ng/dL (95% CI: 0.29-0.52) and it was 0.78 ng/dL (95% CI: 0.73-0.85) (10.4 pmol/L) for other groups combined together. The cut off of free T4 increment at 3 h from baseline above 0.40 ng/dL had a sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 80% (AUC 0.904, p < 0.001) to exclude true malabsorption. CONCLUSION Subjects with elevated TSH on adequate dose of LT4 can be reliably diagnosed to be non-adherent to treatment with levothyroxine absorption test. The incremental value above 0.40 ng/dL (5.14 pmol/L) at 3 h may be useful to identify individuals where workup of malabsorption is unwarranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujoy Ghosh
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, I.P.G.M.E&R, Kolkata, India
| | - Subhodip Pramanik
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, I.P.G.M.E&R, Kolkata, India
| | - Kaushik Biswas
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, I.P.G.M.E&R, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Rajib Sarkar
- School of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Pradip Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, I.P.G.M.E&R, Kolkata, India
- *Assoc. Prof. Pradip Mukhopadhyay, MD, DM, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, I.P.G.M.E&R, 244 AJC Bose Road, Kolkata 700020 (India), E-Mail
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Gonzales KM, Stan MN, Morris JC, Bernet V, Castro MR. The Levothyroxine Absorption Test: A Four-Year Experience (2015-2018) at The Mayo Clinic. Thyroid 2019; 29:1734-1742. [PMID: 31680654 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2019.0256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Background: Levothyroxine (LT4) is the mainstay of therapy for hypothyroidism. Yet, despite physician efforts at dose titration, some patients remain hypothyroid on LT4 doses in excess of weight-based calculations, a condition known as refractory hypothyroidism. The LT4 absorption test (LT4AT) has been proposed to have utility in these patients by enabling distinction of LT4 malabsorption from pseudomalabsorption, a condition of intentional nonadherence. Given its rare use in clinical practice, we reviewed our institution's experience with the LT4AT to assess its impact on management of refractory hypothyroidism. Methods: We reviewed the charts of 16 patients diagnosed with refractory hypothyroidism and who had completed the LT4AT between January 2015 to January 2019. The primary aim was to determine the utility of this test in distinguishing LT4 malabsorption from pseudomalabsorption. Secondary aims were to determine whether the results of this test impacted physicians' management decisions, as well as to report on clinical outcomes at follow-up. Our LT4AT is a six-hour test wherein patients receive a weight-based dose of LT4 followed by serial measurements of total thyroxine (TT4) and thyrotropin (TSH). Percentage absorption is calculated using the following formula, with normal absorption being ≥60%: [Formula: see text] Results: Percentage absorption was calculated in 13 of 16 patients due to lack of TT4 data for 3 patients. Absorption was impaired in one patient (% absorbed = 0), who had known causes of malabsorption. The remaining 12 patients had normal absorption by hour 4 of the test (% absorption 60-158) in conjunction with upward TT4 trends. Clinical follow-up ranged from 1 to 32 months (median 6.5 months), with 11 patients having follow-up data. Six of these had normal or suppressed TSH values at most recent follow-up, and four had improved but persistent TSH elevations. The one said patient with malabsorption improved with intravenous LT4. Conclusions: The LT4AT can provide valuable information for distinguishing malabsorption from pseudomalabsorption. Our findings support the combined use of calculated percentage absorptions with TT4 trends for at least a four-hour time frame when making determinations regarding absorption.
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Yildirim Simsir I, Soyaltin UE, Ozgen AG. Levothyroxine absorption test results in patients with TSH elevation resistant to treatment. Endocrine 2019; 64:118-121. [PMID: 30868414 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-019-01889-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Persistent elevation of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is common in endocrinology practice in patients undergoing replacement or suppression therapy with levothyroxine sodium (LT4). After examining the causes of this condition, LT4 absorption test is recommended. In this report, we wanted to share our results of LT4 absorption test in patients with elevated TSH levels. MATERIALS-METHODS The files of patients who presented to our clinic between 2015 and 2018, whose TSH elevation continued despite high-dose LT4 therapy, and who underwent absorption test were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS Levothyroxine sodium absorption test was applied to five patients. Absorption test revealed LT4 malabsorption in two patients and pseudomalabsorption in the other three patients. DISCUSSION When all published pseudomalabsorption cases were considered, it has been stated that at least 2.5 times increase in basal fT4 level may exclude malabsorption. The formula we used has been implemented by Cleveland Clinic since 2014. CONCLUSION In cases where TSH normalization is not achieved despite high doses of LT4 therapy, LT4 absorption test is an easy test for administration and interpretation and prevents unnecessary medical treatments and examinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilgin Yildirim Simsir
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism Disorders, Ege University Medical Faculty, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Utku Erdem Soyaltin
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism Disorders, Ege University Medical Faculty, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Gokhan Ozgen
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism Disorders, Ege University Medical Faculty, Izmir, Turkey
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