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Use of Thyroid Hormones in Hypothyroid and Euthyroid Patients: A 2020 THESIS Questionnaire Survey of Members of the Swedish Endocrine Society

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Petros PerrosORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

Abstract

Copyright © 2021 Planck, Lantz, Perros, Papini, Attanasio, Nagy and Hegedüs.Background: The standard treatment of hypothyroidism is levothyroxine (LT-4). However, there are several controversies regarding treatment of hypothyroid patients. Aim: To investigate the Swedish endocrinologists’ use of thyroid hormones in hypothyroid and euthyroid individuals. Methods: Physician members of the Swedish Endocrine Society (SEF) were invited by e-mail to participate in an online survey investigating this topic. Results: Out of the eligible 411 members, 116 (28.2%) responded. The majority (98.9%) stated that L-T4 is the treatment of choice. However, around 50% also prescribed liothyronine (L-T3) or a combination of L-T4+L-T3 in their practice. Combination therapy was mostly (78.5%) used in patients with persistent hypothyroid symptoms despite biochemical euthyroidism on L-T4 treatment. Most respondents prescribed L-T4 tablets and did not expect any major changes with alternative formulations such as soft-gel capsules or liquid formulations in situations influencing the bioavailability of L-T4. In euthyroid patients, 49.5% replied that treatment with thyroid hormones was never indicated, while 47.3% would consider L-T4 for euthyroid infertile women with high thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody levels. Conclusion: The treatment of choice for hypothyroidism in Sweden is L-T4 tablets. Combination therapy with L-T4+L-T3 tablets was considered for patients with persistent symptoms despite biochemical euthyroidism. Soft-gel capsules and liquid solutions of L-T4 were infrequently prescribed. Swedish endocrinologists’ deviation from endocrine society guidelines merits further study.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Planck T, Lantz M, Perros P, Papini E, Attanasio R, Nagy EV, Hegedus L

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Frontiers in Endocrinology

Year: 2021

Volume: 12

Print publication date: 06/12/2021

Online publication date: 06/12/2021

Acceptance date: 15/11/2021

Date deposited: 14/01/2022

ISSN (electronic): 1664-2392

Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.

URL: https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.795111

DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.795111

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