Original Articles
Exploring the Efficacy of Once and Twice Weekly Thyroxine Dosing: A Promising Approach for Hypothyroidism Management
Abdulwahid M. Salih, Aso S. Muhialdeen, Mohsin M. Ahmed, Hardi M. Zahir, Yadgar A. Saeed, Saeed H. Ali, Hiwa O. Baba, Shaho F. Ahmed and 5 more
IntroductionHypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder, in which the management involves daily intake of thyroxine. However, adherence to a daily medication regimen poses a substantial challenge for many patients. The current study aims to assess the efficacy of once and twice-weekly thyroxine regimen for the management of hypothyroidism.
MethodsThis was a single-center cohort study involving hypothyroid patients that was conducted over three years. In this study, standard daily, once and twice-weekly thyroxine dosing regimens were used to treat the patients. The effectiveness of the three dosage regimens was ascertained by whether the patients achieved a euthyroid state after six months of therapy.
ResultsIn total, 328 hypothyroid cases due to thyroiditis were included in this study. The average age of the cases was 42.7 years (14-92). Before thyroxine therapy, in the standard daily regimen group, the median level of TSH was 15.4 μIU/mL (IQR 23.1), in the once-weekly regimen group, the level was 9.2 μIU/mL (IQR 6.8), and in the twice-weekly regimen group, the level was 9.1 μIU/mL (IQR 7.3). After thyroxine intake and upon follow-up after 6 months, the TSH level decreased to 4.0 μIU/mL (IQR 3.7), 4.5 μIU/mL (IQR 4.9) and 4.2 μIU/mL (IQR 5.1) in the standard daily, once- and twice-weekly regimen groups, respectively.
ConclusionOnce and twice weekly thyroxine shows promise as strategies for managing hypothyroidism. However, variability in patients in response to weekly thyroxine needs to be taken into account.
Keywords Hypothyroidism
· Thyroxine
· Levothyroxine
· Management
· Weekly
· Thyroiditis
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