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Discontinuation of Low-Dose Levothyroxine in Older Adults With Subclinical Hypothyroidism

21 augusti 2026 uppdaterad av: Spyridoula Maraka

Discontinuation of Low Dose Levothyroxine Therapy for Older Adults With Subclinical Hypothyroidism: a Randomized, Double-blinded, Placebo-controlled Study

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether low-dose levothyroxine can be safely discontinued in adults aged 65 years or older who are taking levothyroxine for subclinical hypothyroidism. The study will also evaluate the cost-effectiveness of discontinuing levothyroxine.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Does discontinuing levothyroxine result in no clinically meaningful worsening of thyroid-related symptoms compared with continuing levothyroxine?
  • What are the effects of discontinuing levothyroxine on quality of life, tiredness, cognition, thyroid hormone levels, lipid levels, weight, and adverse events?
  • Is discontinuing levothyroxine cost-effective compared with continuing treatment?

Researchers will compare participants who discontinue levothyroxine and receive placebo with participants who continue their current dose of levothyroxine to determine the effects of levothyroxine discontinuation.

Participants will:

  • Complete a 2-week run-in period during which they continue their usual levothyroxine and record their medication use.
  • Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either continue their current dose of levothyroxine or receive a matching placebo for 6 months. Participants, their clinicians, and study investigators will not know which treatment they are receiving during the study.
  • Complete study assessments at baseline, approximately 2 months, and 6 months. Assessments will include blood tests, measurements such as body weight, questionnaires about thyroid-related symptoms and quality of life, and assessments of cognition and other health outcomes.

Studieöversikt

Status

Har inte rekryterat ännu

Betingelser

Intervention / Behandling

Studietyp

Interventionell

Inskrivning (Beräknad)

138

Fas

  • Fas 4

Kontakter och platser

Det här avsnittet innehåller kontaktuppgifter för dem som genomför studien och information om var denna studie genomförs.

Studiekontakt

Studera Kontakt Backup

Studieorter

  • Förenta staterna
    • Arkansas
      • Little Rock, Arkansas, Förenta staterna, 72205
        • Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System
        • Kontakt:
        • Kontakt:
        • Huvudutredare:
          • Spyridoula Maraka, M.D., M.S.
    • Florida
      • Gainesville, Florida, Förenta staterna, 32610
        • University of Florida Clinical Research Center
        • Kontakt:
        • Huvudutredare:
          • Naykky Singh Ospina, M.D., M.S.
    • Minnesota
      • Rochester, Minnesota, Förenta staterna, 55905
        • Mayo Clinic
        • Kontakt:
        • Huvudutredare:
          • Juan Pablo Brito Campana, M.B.B.S.

Deltagandekriterier

Forskare letar efter personer som passar en viss beskrivning, så kallade behörighetskriterier. Några exempel på dessa kriterier är en persons allmänna hälsotillstånd eller tidigare behandlingar.

Urvalskriterier

Åldrar som är berättigade till studier

  • Äldre vuxen

Tar emot friska volontärer

Nej

Beskrivning

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Age ≥65 years.
  2. Euthyroid at the time of enrollment, defined as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) levels within the reference range.
  3. Receiving levothyroxine treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism for at least 6 months.
  4. Receiving levothyroxine at a dose ≤50 mcg/day, or ≤25 mcg/day for participants weighing <50 kg.
  5. Receiving outpatient care at the participating study site for at least 12 months.

Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as a TSH level above the normal reference range but <10 mIU/L, with a normal fT4 level, prior to initiation of levothyroxine therapy.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. TSH >10 mIU/L at any time documented in the institutional electronic health record.
  2. Levothyroxine therapy initiated less than 6 months before enrollment.
  3. Abnormal thyroid function at the time of enrollment.
  4. Current use of medications that affect thyroid hormone levels, such as antithyroid medications, amiodarone, or lithium.
  5. History of thyroid cancer or goiter with compressive symptoms.
  6. History of partial or total thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine therapy.
  7. New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV heart failure.
  8. Hospitalization for a major illness or elective surgery within the previous 4 weeks, including acute coronary syndrome, acute myocarditis, pancarditis, or stroke.
  9. Unstable medical condition that, in the investigator's judgment, would jeopardize participant safety or interfere with study participation.
  10. Terminal illness with a life expectancy of less than 6 months.
  11. Lack of decision-making capacity.
  12. Severe dyslipidemia, defined as LDL cholesterol >190 mg/dL.
  13. Untreated depression.
  14. Uncontrolled psychiatric disorder.
  15. Uncontrolled chronic fatigue syndrome.
  16. Uncontrolled pain.

Studieplan

Det här avsnittet ger detaljer om studieplanen, inklusive hur studien är utformad och vad studien mäter.

Hur är studien utformad?

Designdetaljer

  • Primärt syfte: Behandling
  • Tilldelning: Randomiserad
  • Interventionsmodell: Parallellt uppdrag
  • Maskning: Trippel

Vapen och interventioner

Deltagargrupp / Arm
Intervention / Behandling
Aktiv komparator: Levothyroxine Continuation
Participants will continue their pre-study dose of levothyroxine for 6 months using blinded study medication.
Läkemedel: Levothyroxine Pill
Participants assigned to the levothyroxine continuation arm will continue levothyroxine at their pre-study dose (≤50 mcg/day) for 6 months. Levothyroxine will be administered orally once daily as over-encapsulated study medication matched in appearance to placebo to maintain blinding.
Experimentell: Levothyroxine Discontinuation
Participants will discontinue levothyroxine and receive matching placebo for 6 months using blinded study medication.
Läkemedel: Placebo
Participants assigned to the levothyroxine discontinuation arm will discontinue levothyroxine and receive matching placebo orally once daily for 6 months. Placebo will be over-encapsulated and matched in appearance to the active study medication to maintain blinding.

Vad mäter studien?

Primära resultatmått

Resultatmått
Åtgärdsbeskrivning
Tidsram
Mean ThyPRO Hypothyroid Symptoms Scale Score at 6 Months
Tidsram: 6 months
Thyroid-related symptoms will be assessed using the 4-item Thyroid-specific Patient Reported Outcome (ThyPRO) Hypothyroid Symptoms Scale. Scores are transformed to a 0-100 scale, with higher scores indicating more severe hypothyroid symptoms. The mean 6-month score will be compared between the levothyroxine discontinuation (placebo) group and the levothyroxine continuation group. The prespecified noninferiority margin is 9 points.
6 months

Sekundära resultatmått

Resultatmått
Åtgärdsbeskrivning
Tidsram
Mean ThyPRO Hypothyroid Symptoms Scale Score Over Time
Tidsram: Baseline, 2 months, 6 months
Mean score on the 4-item ThyPRO Hypothyroid Symptoms Score. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more severe hypothyroid symptoms. Longitudinal changes will be evaluated between treatment groups.
Baseline, 2 months, 6 months
Mean ThyPRO Tiredness Scale Score
Tidsram: Baseline, 2 month, and 6 months
Tiredness will be assessed using the 7-item ThyPRO Tiredness Scale. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater tiredness. Mean scores and longitudinal changes will be compared between treatment groups.
Baseline, 2 month, and 6 months
Mean Brief Fatigue Inventory Score
Tidsram: Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Fatigue will be assessed during the 9-item Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI). Items are scored from 0 to 10 and the mean item score will be calculated, with higher scores indicating greater fatigue severity or interference. Mean scores and longitudinal changes will be compared between treatment groups.
Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Mean Patient-Generated Index Visual Analogue Scale Score
Tidsram: Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Participant-identified symptoms considered important and related to subclinical hypothyroidism will be assessed using the Patient-Generated Index (PGI) visual analogue scale. Scores range from 0-100, with higher scores indicating less severe symptoms. Mean scores and longitudinal changes will be compared between treatment groups.
Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Mean ThyPRO-39 Quality-of-Life Score
Tidsram: Baseline and 6 months
Thyroid-specific quality of life will be assessed using the 39-item ThyPRO-39 questionnaire. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating worse thyroid-related quality of life. Mean scores will be compared between treatment groups.
Baseline and 6 months
Mean EQ-5D Descriptive Index Score
Tidsram: Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
General health-related quality of life will be assessed using the EQ-5D descriptive index. Scores range from -0.59 to 1.00, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life. Mean scores and longitudinal changes will be compared between treatment groups.
Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Mean EQ Visual Analogue Scale Score
Tidsram: Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Self-rated health will be assessed using the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ VAS). Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better self-rated health. Mean scores and longitudinal changes will be compared between treatment groups.
Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Number of Participants Preferring Study Treatment Versus Pre-Study Treatment
Tidsram: 2 months and 6 months
Participants will report whether they prefer the treatment they are currently receiving during the study or their pre-study levothyroxine treatment. The number and percentage of participants reporting each preference will be summarized by treatment group.
2 months and 6 months
Mean Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status Score
Tidsram: Baseline and 6 months
Cognitive function will be assessed using the Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-M), a 13-item cognitive assessment evaluating orientation, concentration, memory, naming, calculation, comprehension, and reasoning. Total scores range from 0 to 39, with higher scores indicating better cognitive performance. Mean scores will be compared between treatment groups.
Baseline and 6 months
Mean Body Weight
Tidsram: Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Body weight will be measured in kilograms. Mean body weight and change in body weight will be compared between treatment groups.
Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Mean Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Level
Tidsram: Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) will be measured in mIU/L to assess thyroid function. Mean TSH levels and longitudinal changes will be compared between treatment groups.
Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Mean Free Thyroxine Level
Tidsram: Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Serum free thyroxine (free T4) will be measured in ng/dL to assess thyroid function. Mean free T4 levels and longitudinal changes will be compared between treatment groups.
Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Mean Total Cholesterol Level
Tidsram: Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Serum total cholesterol will be measured in mg/dL. Mean levels and longitudinal changes will be compared between treatment groups.
Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Mean Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level
Tidsram: Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol will be measured in mg/dL. Mean levels and longitudinal changes will be compared between treatment groups.
Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Mean High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level
Tidsram: Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol will be measured in mg/dL. Mean levels and longitudinal changes will be compared between treatment groups.
Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Mean Triglyceride Level
Tidsram: Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Serum triglycerides will be measured in mg/dL. Mean levels and longitudinal changes will be compared between treatment groups.
Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months
Incidence of All-Cause Mortality
Tidsram: From enrollment to the end of the study at 6 months
Number and proportion of participants who die from any cause during study participation, assessed through medical record review and/or family report.
From enrollment to the end of the study at 6 months
Incidence of Cardiovascular Events
Tidsram: From enrollment to the end of the study at 6 months
Number and proportion of participants experiencing one or more cardiovascular events, including acute myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, stroke, acute coronary syndrome, or heart failure, assessed through medical record review and participant report.
From enrollment to the end of the study at 6 months
Incidence of Falls and Fractures
Tidsram: From enrollment to the end of the study at 6 months
Number and proportion of participants experiencing one or more falls or fractures, assessed through medical record review and participant report.
From enrollment to the end of the study at 6 months
Incidence of Overt Hypothyroidism
Tidsram: 2 months and 6 months
Number and proportion of participants who develop overt hypothyroidism based on protocol-defined thyroid hormone criteria.
2 months and 6 months
Incidence of Hyperthyroidism
Tidsram: 2 months and 6 months
Number and proportion of participants who develop hyperthyroidism based on protocol-defined thyroid hormone criteria.
2 months and 6 months
Proportion of Participants Maintaining Euthyroid Status After Levothyroxine Discontinuation
Tidsram: 2 months and 6 months
Among participants randomized to levothyroxine discontinuation/placebo, the number and proportion who remain euthyroid based on protocol-defined thyroid hormone criteria will be assessed.
2 months and 6 months
Number of Participants with Adverse Events
Tidsram: From enrollment to 30 days after Month 6
Number and proportion of participants experiencing one or more adverse events during study participation. Adverse events will be assessed and classified according to the protocol-defined criteria for severity, expectedness, and relationship to study intervention.
From enrollment to 30 days after Month 6
Number of Participants with Serious Adverse Events
Tidsram: From enrollment to 30 days after Month 6
Number and proportion of participants experiencing one or more serious adverse events as defined in the study protocol.
From enrollment to 30 days after Month 6

Samarbetspartners och utredare

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Sponsor

Spyridoula Maraka

Utredare

  • Studierektor: Spyridoula Maraka, M.D., M.S., Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System

Studieavstämningsdatum

Dessa datum spårar framstegen för inlämningar av studieposter och sammanfattande resultat till ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieposter och rapporterade resultat granskas av National Library of Medicine (NLM) för att säkerställa att de uppfyller specifika kvalitetskontrollstandarder innan de publiceras på den offentliga webbplatsen.

Studera stora datum

Studiestart (Beräknad)

1 oktober 2027

Primärt slutförande (Beräknad)

1 september 2030

Avslutad studie (Beräknad)

1 september 2031

Studieregistreringsdatum

Först inskickad

11 augusti 2026

Först inskickad som uppfyllde QC-kriterierna

21 augusti 2026

Första postat (Faktisk)

26 augusti 2026

Uppdateringar av studier

Senaste uppdatering publicerad (Faktisk)

26 augusti 2026

Senaste inskickade uppdateringen som uppfyllde QC-kriterierna

21 augusti 2026

Senast verifierad

1 augusti 2026

Mer information

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Nyckelord

Ytterligare relevanta MeSH-villkor

Andra studie-ID-nummer

  • LT4-DISCONTINUE-01

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produkt tillverkad i och exporterad från U.S.A.

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