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Endocrine
Published in: Endocrine 1/2017

01-01-2017 | Endocrine Trials

Comparative study between the effects of replacement therapy with liquid and tablet formulations of levothyroxine on mood states, self-perceived psychological well-being and thyroid hormone profile in recently thyroidectomized patients

Authors: Celestino Pio Lombardi, Raffaella Bocale, Angelina Barini, Antonella Barini, Annamaria D’Amore, Mauro Boscherini, Rocco Bellantone

Published in: Endocrine | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Following thyroid surgery, levothyroxine therapy is used to replace deficient thyroid hormones and prevent postoperative thyroid hypofunction. We compared the effects of replacement therapy with either liquid or tablet formulation of levothyroxine on mood states, self-perceived mental well-being and thyroid hormone profile in recently thyroidectomized patients. Profile of mood states, General Heath Questionnaire 12-items and thyroid hormone profile were assessed in recently (5–7 days) thyroidectomized patients at baseline and 2 months after randomization to replacement therapy with either liquid (n = 77) or tablet (n = 78) formulation of levothyroxine. After 2 months under levothyroxine replacement treatment, significant improvements of Positive Affect Scale (p < 0.001) and Negative Affect Scale (p < 0.001) of Profile of mood states, as well as of General Heath Questionnaire 12-items (p < 0.001) were observed in the study population. However, there were greater variations observed in patients assigned to liquid levothyroxine formulation in comparison to those who were assigned to levothyroxine in the form of tablet (time × treatment interaction: Positive Affect Scale of Profile of mood states, p = 0.030; Negative Affect Scale of Profile of mood states, p < 0.0001; General Heath Questionnaire 12-items, p = 0.003). As expected, circulating TSH levels significantly decreased (p <0.001) while FT3 and FT4 levels significantly increased (p < 0.0001 for both) under levothyroxine replacement therapy. These changes were significantly greater in patients treated with liquid levothyroxine formulation (time × treatment interaction: TSH, p = 0.011; FT3, p = 0.016; FT4, p = 0.028). Our data indicate a greater efficacy of liquid formulation of levothyroxine in ameliorating mood states and self-perception of mental well-being and thyroid hormone profile after 2 months of replacement therapy in recently thyroidectomized patients.
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Metadata
Title
Comparative study between the effects of replacement therapy with liquid and tablet formulations of levothyroxine on mood states, self-perceived psychological well-being and thyroid hormone profile in recently thyroidectomized patients
Authors
Celestino Pio Lombardi
Raffaella Bocale
Angelina Barini
Antonella Barini
Annamaria D’Amore
Mauro Boscherini
Rocco Bellantone
Publication date
01-01-2017
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Endocrine / Issue 1/2017
Print ISSN: 1355-008X
Electronic ISSN: 1559-0100
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-016-1003-9

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