ePrints

Use of Thyroid Hormones in Hypothyroid and Euthyroid Patients: A THESIS questionnaire survey of members of the Irish Endocrine Society

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Petros PerrosORCiD

Downloads

• Published version [.pdf]

Licence

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

Abstract

© 2022, The Author(s). Background: Replacement of thyroid hormones (TH) with Levothyroxine (LT4) is the treatment of choice for hypothyroidism, however, there are aspects of treatment where uncertainties exist and practice varies. Factors influencing initiation and choice of TH replacement may impact patient satisfaction, safety, and health care costs. Methods: The aim of the study was to examine the attitudes of Irish endocrinologists regarding the treatment of hypothyroid and euthyroid patients with TH. Members of the Irish Endocrine Society (IES) were invited to participate in an online survey. Results: Forty-eight invitations were sent, and 39 (81.3%) participants responded. All respondents favoured LT4 tablet therapy for treatment of hypothyroidism, but 20.5% prescribed combination therapy (LT4 and liothyronine), and 13% regularly used desiccated thyroid extract. A significant proportion (51%) might prescribe TH in euthyroid patients; 41% for thyroid auto-antibody positive women seeking pregnancy, 18% for goitre and 5% for unexplained fatigue. Many (38%) consider combination therapy in patients with persistent symptoms. Respondents reported seeing LT4 treated patients with persistent symptomatology more frequently and perceive psychosocial factors and comorbidities to be the most common reasons for such symptoms. Conclusion: LT4 tablets are the treatment of choice for hypothyroidism in Ireland. Approximately a third of Irish endocrinologists either regularly use, or would consider, liothyronine for hypothyroid patients. A significant proportion would give TH to euthyroid individuals in specific circumstances. The prescription of TH amongst Irish endocrinologists was generally in keeping with recommended practice, and areas where practice deviated from guidance were typically where evidence was conflicting or insufficient.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Mustafa M, Ali E, McGowan A, McCabe L, Hegedus L, Attanasio R, Nagy EV, Papini E, Perros P, Moran C

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Irish Journal of Medical Science

Year: 2023

Volume: 192

Pages: 2179-2187

Print publication date: 01/10/2023

Online publication date: 08/12/2022

Acceptance date: 21/11/2022

Date deposited: 23/06/2023

ISSN (print): 0021-1265

ISSN (electronic): 1863-4362

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH

URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-022-03235-z

DOI: 10.1007/s11845-022-03235-z

PubMed id: 36482281

Altmetrics

Funding

Share