AIMS: To compare the effects of liquid and tablet formulations of levothyroxine (L-T4) in 78 newborns with congenital hypothyroidism (CH). METHODS: 39 patients received liquid L-T4 (group A) and 39 patients received tablets (group B). Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) were measured and L-T4 dose recorded at onset of therapy and during the first year of treatment. Developmental quotient (DQ) was assessed by Griffiths' mental development scales at 12 months of age. RESULTS: Gestational age, birth weight, screening TSH, etiology and severity of CH, age at onset of therapy and median initial L-T4 dose were similar in both groups. fT4 concentration normalized before 10 days of treatment in all patients. Normalization of TSH concentration was achieved after 7-10 days of therapy in 87% of group A patients and in 82% of group B patients. Group A patients had significantly lower TSH values compared with those of group B at 7-10 days (p = 0.05) and 6-8 months (p = 0.043) of treatment, despite similar L-T4 dose and fT4 concentration. Mean DQ scores were within normal range in all patients. CONCLUSION: We confirmed the efficacy and safety of both formulations. The TSH inhibition trend when using liquid L-T4 may be linked to a higher absorption in comparison to the tablets.
AIMS: To compare the effects of liquid and tablet formulations of levothyroxine (L-T4) in 78 newborns with congenital hypothyroidism (CH). METHODS: 39 patients received liquid L-T4 (group A) and 39 patients received tablets (group B). Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) were measured and L-T4 dose recorded at onset of therapy and during the first year of treatment. Developmental quotient (DQ) was assessed by Griffiths' mental development scales at 12 months of age. RESULTS: Gestational age, birth weight, screening TSH, etiology and severity of CH, age at onset of therapy and median initial L-T4 dose were similar in both groups. fT4 concentration normalized before 10 days of treatment in all patients. Normalization of TSH concentration was achieved after 7-10 days of therapy in 87% of group A patients and in 82% of group B patients. Group A patients had significantly lower TSH values compared with those of group B at 7-10 days (p = 0.05) and 6-8 months (p = 0.043) of treatment, despite similar L-T4 dose and fT4 concentration. Mean DQ scores were within normal range in all patients. CONCLUSION: We confirmed the efficacy and safety of both formulations. The TSH inhibition trend when using liquid L-T4 may be linked to a higher absorption in comparison to the tablets.
Authors: Vincenzo Di Donna; Rosa Maria Paragliola; Chiara de Waure; Giampaolo Papi; Alfredo Pontecorvi; Salvatore Maria Corsello Journal: Endocrine Date: 2017-05-02 Impact factor: 3.633
Authors: I Pirola; L Daffini; E Gandossi; D Lombardi; A Formenti; M Castellano; C Cappelli Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2014-05-01 Impact factor: 4.256