Thyroxine Titration Study
Information source: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this data on August 23, 2015 Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.
Condition(s) targeted: Hypothyroidism
Intervention: Thyroxine (Drug)
Phase: Phase 4
Status: Active, not recruiting
Sponsored by: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
Summary
The aim of the study is to examine the effects of fine titration of thyroxine dosage on
symptoms of hypothyroidism, wellbeing and quality of life. The hypothesis is that symptoms
of hypothyroidism, wellbeing and quality of life will be improved in thyroxine-treated
subjects when serum thyrotropin (TSH) is suppressed and/or in the lower reference range,
compared to when TSH is in the upper reference range.
Clinical Details
Official title: What is the Optimal Serum TSH Concentration During Thyroxine Treatment for Primary Hypothyroidism? Effects of Fine Titration of Thyroxine Dosage on Wellbeing, Quality of Life and Cognitive Function
Study design: Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double-Blind, Primary Purpose: Treatment
Primary outcome: Visual analog scales assessing wellbeing
Secondary outcome: treatment satisfaction scoretreatment preference quality of life scores cognitive function tests clinical and biochemical markers of thyroid hormone action
Detailed description:
Primary hypothyroidism is a common disorder, affecting 2% of the Australian population. The
standard treatment is with thyroxine (T4), and conventionally, a serum thyrotropin (TSH)
concentration within the laboratory range is taken as indicating adequacy of thyroxine
dosage.
Some patients with hypothyroidism complain of persistently impaired well-being, despite
taking thyroxine in a dose which normalises serum TSH concentrations. It is not clear
whether this is because of comorbidity or because standard thyroxine replacement is in some
way inadequate for some individuals.
The reference range for serum TSH is wide (currently 0. 34-4. 8 mU/L at PathCentre). The
distribution of serum TSH concentrations in the population is skewed, with the mean and
median in the lower reference range at approximately 1. 0 mU/L. This has led some to argue
that a serum TSH in the lower reference range should be the usual therapeutic target.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that some thyroxine-treated patients do feel better if the
thyroxine dose is adjusted so that serum TSH is in the lower reference range rather than the
upper reference range. The National Academy for Clinical Biochemistry of the United States
now recommends, that for thyroxine-treated patients, that serum TSH should be less than 2. 0
mU/L. There is, however, no evidence from properly conducted studies that aiming for a serum
TSH concentration in the lower reference range improves symptoms of hypothyroidism or
general wellbeing, and this proposal has not been generally adopted.
Only one study examining the effects of fine titration of thyroxine dosage on wellbeing has
been published. In this study, patients had significantly improved wellbeing if they took a
dose of thyroxine which was 50 μg greater than their biochemically optimal dose as
determined by a thyrotropin-releasing hormone test. In most cases, serum TSH was suppressed
to below 0. 2 mU/L (the limit of sensitivity of the assay) on the thyroxine doses which
improved wellbeing. This study was open-label and non-randomised, and the results therefore
may have been affected by bias.
A well-designed, double blind study of the effects of fine titration of thyroxine dosage on
symptoms of hypothyroidism, wellbeing and quality of life is required to determine if a
serum TSH in the lower reference range, rather than simply TSH within the reference range,
should indeed be the usual therapeutic target for thyroxine therapy in primary
hypothyroidism. It is also desirable to confirm the findings of Carr et al., that patients
have improved wellbeing if TSH is suppressed to below normal levels.
Eligibility
Minimum age: 18 Years.
Maximum age: N/A.
Gender(s): Both.
Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male or female subjects >18 years of age
- Primary hypothyroidism ≥6 months duration arising from autoimmune hypothyroidism,
thyroidectomy or radioiodine treatment
- Thyroxine dose ≥100 mcg/day
- No change in thyroxine dose in past 2 months
- Serum TSH of 0. 1-4. 8 mU/L
- Adequate contraceptive measures for women of childbearing age
Exclusion Criteria:
- Major systemic illness affecting quality of life or likely to affect participation in
the study
- Treatment with T3 currently or in past 2 months
- History of thyroid cancer requiring suppression of TSH secretion by thyroxine
- Ischaemic heart disease – previous myocardial infarction, angina or coronary artery
revascularisation
- Renal failure: serum creatinine >135 micromol/L
- Known liver disease with alkaline phosphatase or ALT >2x upper limit of reference
range
- Bony fracture in past 3 months or Paget’s disease of bone
- Secondary (central) hypothyroidism or hypopituitarism
Locations and Contacts
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia
Additional Information
Starting date: April 2003
Last updated: June 23, 2005
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