A randomized controlled trial assessed the effect of levothyroxine therapy in older adults with subclinical hypothyroidism, finding no clear benefit.
Dr Geoffrey Modest
737 adults > 65 who had persistent subclinical hypothyroidism were randomized to levothyroxine 50 µg a day, or 25 µg if their body weight were <50 kg or had coronary heart disease, with subsequent dose adjustment to achieve a TSH between 0.4 and 4.6 or placebo.( Subclinical hypothyroidism was defined as TSH of 4.60-19.99, with a free thyroxine level within the normal reference range.
Primary outcomes were changes in the Hypothyroid Symptoms score and in the Tiredness score on the thyroid related quality-of-life questionnaire, at one year.
Results:
Mean TSH level decreased from 6.4 to 5.5 in the placebo group as compared to 3.6 in the levothyroxine group. This was achieved within 6-8 weeks after starting the medication. There was no difference in the mean change at one year in the Hypothyroid Symptom score (0.2 for each group). There was no significant difference in the change in the Tiredness score (3.2 in those on levothyroxine, 3.8 in those on placebo). For secondary outcomes and adverse events there was no difference
Commentary:
Subclinical hypothyroidism is common, between 8 and 18% of adults > 65yrs. To me, there is a fundamental contradiction in the term “subclinical hypothyroidism”, since the normal limits of free T4 level reflect the bell-shaped curve of the community lab values, whereas TSH reflects the individual person’s response to their own circulating hormone levels. And patients may not be asymptomatic (ie “subclinical”). Subclinical hypothyroidism, therefore, I think, just reflects a low level of hypothyroidism, such that depression of T4 levels still remains within the community norm, but still, could have effects on that individual’s body.
About half of the patients with subclinical hypothyroidism will progress to overt hypothyroidism with a low serum thyroxine level over 10 to 20 years, with an annual progression rate of 2 to 4%. However, some also have spontaneous recovery, less likely in those that are anti-TPO antibody positive
The median achieved TSH level was 3.6, and some people believe that a more reasonable target is between 0.4 and 2.5 (i.e., it is possible that there would have been a measurable effect if they had achieved the lower and perhaps optimal TSH concentration) Hypothyroid symptom levels at trial entry were also quite low to begin with. The trial was underpowered to detect an effect on cardiovascular events or mortality. They did not measure thyroid antibody levels (which do predict to some extent which patients are more likely to progress to hypothyroidism)
They also did not find any difference in the speed of information processing, which has been found to be slowed in persons with subclinical hypothyroidism. However they did not assess other measures of cognitive function, though these are typically pretty blunt instruments (MMSE, MOCA, etc) and might not pick up very subtle though potentially important changes for the person and family/supports. But treating the subclinical hypothyroidism might still make a real difference for the individual, especially in the long-term (and a 65-year old in otherwise good health has a 20ish year life expectancy)
So, what is one to do with older patients who have subclinical hypothyroidism? The answer is not entirely clear, and this study really only adds the finding that short-term treatment of essentially asymptomatic patients with minimal laboratory abnormalities suggesting hypothyroidism does not seem to be effective. And I am particularly concerned about the potential links with atherosclerosis and cognitive decline. My sense is that it does seem reasonable to treat people with higher TSH levels (e.g.>10) since they have a higher likelihood of progressing to overt hypothyroidism. In those with lower TSH levels, it might be reasonable to check anti-TPO levels and treat those patients. It also might be reasonable to treat those who are more symptomatic than in this trial. But, overall, if one elects not to treat, it does make sense to follow these patients closely to see if they progress to more thyroid dysfunction. But one concern I have is that the usual symptoms of hypothyroidism, on the one hand, are pretty nonspecific, and, on the other hand, in many cases reveal themselves so slowly over time that patients may accommodate to them and not even notice them (though their treatment might still positively affect their quality-of-life).