Efficacy of combined levothyroxine and liothyronine as compared with levothyroxine monotherapy in primary hypothyroidism: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the efficacy of combination therapy with levothyroxine and liothyronine in improvement of general health, psychological problems, and metabolic status in primary hypothyroidism.


METHODS
Seventy-one patients diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism were randomly allocated into two study groups: the first group received usual dose of levothyroxine and the second group received combination of levothyroxine and liothyronine for at least 4 months. The main outcomes were psychosocial problems (Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-28), bodyweight, heart rate, blood pressure, and serum lipid levels.


RESULTS
In both groups serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels remained unchanged compared with baseline. Psychosocial scores, body weight, heart rate, blood pressure, and lipid profile in the two groups remained constant. The only exception was a small but significant reduction in anxiety/insomnia in combined treatment group as compared with monotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The data do not support the hypothesis that combined therapy improves the well-being and general health of patients.
Valizadeh
Majid
M
Department of Internal Medicine, Zanjan Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Science, Zanjan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Seyyed-Majidi
Mohammad R
MR
Hajibeigloo
Hasan
H
Momtazi
Saeed
S
Musavinasab
Noreddin
N
Hayatbakhsh
Mohammad R
MR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013974:Thyroxine