Authors
David J Stott, Nicolas Rodondi, Patricia M Kearney, Ian Ford, Rudi GJ Westendorp, Simon P Mooijaart, Naveed Sattar, Carole E Aubert, Drahomir Aujesky, Douglas C Bauer, Christine Baumgartner, Manuel R Blum, John P Browne, Stephen Byrne, Tinh-Hai Collet, Olaf M Dekkers, Wendy PJ den Elzen, Robert S Du Puy, Graham Ellis, Martin Feller, Carmen Floriani, Kirsty Hendry, Caroline Hurley, J Wouter Jukema, Sharon Kean, Maria Kelly, Danielle Krebs, Peter Langhorne, Gemma McCarthy, Vera McCarthy, Alex McConnachie, Mairi McDade, Martina Messow, Annemarie O’Flynn, David O’Riordan, Rosalinde KE Poortvliet, Terence J Quinn, Audrey Russell, Carol Sinnott, Jan WA Smit, H Anette Van Dorland, Kieran A Walsh, Elaine K Walsh, Torquil Watt, Robbie Wilson, Jacobijn Gussekloo
Publication date
2017/6/29
Journal
New England Journal of Medicine
Volume
376
Issue
26
Pages
2534-2544
Publisher
Massachusetts Medical Society
Description
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 …
Scholar articles
DJ Stott, N Rodondi, PM Kearney, I Ford… - New England Journal of Medicine, 2017