EVALUATION OF TREATMENT OF CENTRAL HYPOTHYROIDISM VERSUS PRIMARY HYPOTHYROIDISM IN RELATION TO LEVOTHYROXINE REPLACEMENT DOSE

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate levothyroxine (LT4) replacement daily doses, considered clinical and biochemical appropriate, in patients with Central Hypothyroidism (CeH) and compare them with those adequate for patients with Primary Hypothyroidism (P-HYPO). Methods: We included 53 patients with CeH and 57 with PH, matched by sex, age, weight and body mass index, followed in a Neuroendocrine Referral Center, in the period of one year. At the time of inclusion, all presented a stable and adequate dose of LT4 for at least three months, considering as adequate the dose associated with normal TSH levels and free T4 in P-HYPO patients, and free T4 levels in CeH patients. Results: The absolute daily dose of LT4 differed significantly between the two groups, 103.0±27.1mcg (CH) and 89.3±32.0mcg (PH) (p=0.017), even after adjusted for age, gender, and free T4 (p=0.04). The LT4 dose adjusted to weight was also higher after adjusted for age, gender and free T4 (p=0.04), with an average of ...