title: Oral L-thyroxine liquid versus tablet in patients with hypothyroidism without malabsorption: a prospective study.
abstract: No consistent data are present in literature about the effectiveness of levothyroxine (L-T4) liquid formulation in patients without malabsorption. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of L-T4 liquid formulation, with L-T4 tablets, in hypothyroid patients without malabsorption or drug interference. One hundred and fifty two patients were recruited. Patients were switched from the L-T4 therapy in tablets, to liquid L-T4 at the same dosage, 30 min before breakfast. Serum thyrotropic hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) were re-evaluated after 1-3 months (first control) and 5-7 months (second control) from the switch. TSH values significantly declined with respect to the basal value after the switch to liquid L-T4 both at the first control (P < 0.05) and at the second control (P < 0.01); FT4 and FT3 levels were not significantly changed. We show that liquid L-T4 is more effective than L-T4 tablet in controlling TSH levels in hypothyroid patients without malabsorption, gastric disorders, or drug interference.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Poupak
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fallahi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia Martina
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126, Pisa, Italy. alessandro.antonelli@med.unipi.it.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antonelli
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004339:Drug Compounding; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012996:Solutions; D013607:Tablets; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D013607:Tablets; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine
keywords: Autoimmune thyroiditis; Hypothyroidism; Liquid L-T4; TSH; Thyroxine absorption