Posted on 04/07/2023 11:15:04 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
As many as 90% of those who take levothyroxine [Synthroid] may have been unnecessarily prescribed the hypothyroidism medication.
Providers diagnose hypothyroidism by first measuring TSH levels in the blood. If the level is elevated, they will conduct a second test examining Free T4 levels. If TSH is high and Free T4 is low, the provider diagnoses the patient with hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine works by supplementing low hormone levels with exogenous T4.
Some patients, however, have mildly elevated TSH and normal Free T4. Providers diagnose this as subclinical hypothyroidism, and sometimes this is also treated with levothyroxine to lower TSH. This practice may do more harm than good. "Study after study has shown that there is greater risk when you overtreat with levothyroxine in patients who may not need it," says El-Khoury.
A 2021 study found that out of the 23 million Americans who are taking levothyroxine, approximately 21 million [~90%] likely don't need the prescription. Because levothyroxine can cause side effects including anxiety, heat intolerance, and diarrhea—and in extreme cases, cardiovascular morbidity and death, especially in those over 80—this finding is alarming, says El-Khoury.
According to El-Khoury, a major reason for inappropriate diagnoses is seasonal variation. Typically, TSH is higher in the winter. Because current screening measures do not consider the natural variation, many patients presenting with hypothyroidism-like symptoms are getting tested at a time when their TSH levels are naturally higher and being prescribed levothyroxine.
El-Khoury hopes to raise awareness about the extent of this problem and encourage providers to re-test their patients at least 3 months later before initiating levothyroxine treatment.
The assay used at Yale defines the normal limit for TSH as between 0.27 and 4.2 mIU/L. However, recent research suggests levothyroxine has no benefit in patients who initiate treatment when their levels are naturally under 7.0 mIU/L.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Levothiroxone is generic synthroid.
Again, thanks.
BKMk
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