Combined therapy with levothyroxine and liothyronine for hypothyroidism

Fischman, Alexandra; Dom�nguez, Jos� Miguel

doi:10.5867/medwave.2018.08.7375

Living FRIendly Summaries of the Body of Evidence using Epistemonikos (FRISBEE)

Medwave 2018;18(8):e7375 doi: 10.5867/medwave.2018.08.7375

Combined therapy with levothyroxine and liothyronine for hypothyroidism

Alexandra Fischman, Jos� Miguel Dom�nguez

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Key Words: hypothyroidism, combination therapy, addition of LT3, Epistemonikos, GRADE.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
The usual supplementation for hypothyroidism is based on monotherapy with levothyroxine. However, some patients persist with symptoms attributable to the deficit of
thyroid hormone. It has been suggested that the a combined treatment with liothyronine and levothyroxine would provide a greater benefit.

METHODS
We searched in Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies, conducted a meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
We identified three systematic reviews including twelve primary studies overall, all of which were randomized trials. We concluded that the addition of liothyronine to the treatment of hypothyroidism has minimal or no effect on fatigue and quality of life. It probably does not improve mood, pain or function cognitive, and it would not reduce body weight.

Problem

Hypothyroidism is a common disease, characterized by a deficiency of endogenous thyroid hormone, which affects 0.5 to 4.1% of the world population [1]. The standard treatment of hypothyroidism, regardless its etiology, is monotherapy with levothyroxine (LT4), the synthetic form of thyroxine, adjusted for the concentration of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Despite achieving normal TSH, approximately 5-10% of patients report residual symptoms of hypothyroidism [2].

The active thyroid hormone is triiodothyronine (T3). Eighty percent comes from the peripheral conversion of thyroxine (T4) to T3, mainly in the liver, and the remaining 20% is produced by the thyroid gland together with T4 [3], in a T3: T4 ratio of 1:5 [1]. Considering physiology, a treatment relying exclusively on LT4 would be deficient since optimum levels of T3 are not reached. Supplementation with T3 may be necessary in patients with hypothyroidism treated exclusively with LT4.

The objective of this summary was to evaluate the effects of the combination of LT4 and liothyronine (LT3) as a treatment for hypothyroidism.

Methods

We searched in Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others, to identify systematic reviews and their included primary studies. We extracted data from the identified reviews and reanalyzed data from primary studies included in those reviews. With this information, we generated a structured summary denominated FRISBEE (Friendly Summary of Body of Evidence using Epistemonikos) using a pre-established format, which includes key messages, a summary of the body of evidence (presented as an evidence matrix in Epistemonikos), meta-analysis of the total of studies when it is possible, a summary of findings table following the GRADE approach and a table of other considerations for decision-making.

Key messages

The addition of LT3 to the treatment of hypothyroidism results in minimal or no difference in fatigue and quality of life.
The addition of LT3 to the treatment of hypothyroidism probably results in minimal or no difference in mood, pain, cognitive function and adverse effects.
The addition of LT3 to the treatment of hypothyroidism could result in minimal or no difference in body weight, but the certainty of the evidence is low.

About the body of evidence for this question

What is the evidence. See evidence matrix in Epistemonikos later	We found three systematic reviews [3], [4], [5] that included 12 primary studies reported in 13 references [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], all corresponding to randomized trials.
What types of patients were included*	All trials included patients with hypothyroidism in previous treatment with LT4 with stabilized thyroid hormone levels prior to the intervention, most of them for more than two months. One trial [8] did not mention the time with stable thyroid hormone levels. Another trial [13] included patients with an indeterminate long time of previous hormonal stabilization. Regarding the etiology of hypothyroidism, three trials [14], [16], [17] exclusively included patients with hypothyroidism due to chronic thyroiditis, while in the rest of the trials patients with hypothyroidism of different etiologies were included: chronic thyroiditis, post-thyroidectomy (for cancer) and post-radiation [5]. Regarding the gender of the included patients, two trials [8], [10] included only women and one trial [6] conducted separate analyses: one with the total population and another excluding the male population [7]. In the rest of the trials, both women and men were included, the former constituting the vast majority of patients, except in one of the trials [17]. The age of the patients ranged between 18 and 76 years.
What types of interventions were included*	All trials evaluated the combined treatment with LT4 + LT3 as an intervention. Regarding the dose used in the intervention, seven trials [6], [8], [9], [11], [12], [14], [17] used the usual dose of LT4 minus 50 ug/day; one trial [16] used the usual dose minus 25 ug/day, and another [13] used the daily dose minus a 5%. In the remaining three trials [10], [15], [18] an arbitrary dose of LT4 (75 ug/day, ≥50 ug day and 80 ug/day respectively) was used. The doses of LT3 varied. The time of treatment ranged between 5 and 16 weeks. All trials compared the intervention against the standard treatment (LT4). Nine trials [6], [8], [9], [11], [12], [13], [14], [16], [17] administered the usual dose, in two trials [10], [18] 100 ug/day and in one trial [15] ≥100ug/day.
What types of outcomes were measured	The trials evaluated multiple outcomes, which were grouped by the systematic reviews as follows: Mood Quality of life (Measured in the following scales: General Health Questionnaire-28, Short Form-36 Health Survey, Thyroid Symptom Questionnaire, Letter Number Sequencing-working memory test). Cognitive function (measured in the following scales: Symbol Digit Modalities, Digit Span Sub-Test of the Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale III, Trial Making Test-B) Physical symptoms: pain and fatigue. Changes in weightAdverse effects. Thyroid hormone levels Patient preferences The average follow-up of the trials was 12 weeks, with a range between 5 and 39 weeks.

* The information about primary studies is extracted from the systematic reviews identified, unless otherwise specified.

Summary of findings

The information on the effects of the combined treatment of hypothyroidism with LT3 + LT4 versus monotherapy with LT4 in hypothyroidism is based on 12 randomized controlled trials.

Four trials assessed pain (936 patients) [12], [14], [15], [17], seven trials assessed quality of life (1068 patients) [9], [10], [12], [13], [14], [15], [17], 11 evaluated mood (1563 patients) [6], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], six assessed fatigue (350 patients) [6], [10], [11], [13], [16], [17] and 11 evaluated adverse effects (1247 patients) [6], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17]. None of the systematic reviews presented data that could be re-analyzed and incorporated into a meta-analysis for body weight and cognitive function outcomes, so a narrative summary was prepared based on the results as reported by the reviews.

The summary of findings is as follows:

The use of LT3 + LT4 compared to monotherapy with LT4 in hypothyroidism results in little or no difference in fatigue. The certainty of the evidence is high.
The use of LT3 + LT4 compared to monotherapy with LT4 in hypothyroidism probably results in little or no difference in mood. The certainty of the evidence is moderate.
The use of LT3 + LT4 compared to monotherapy with LT4 in hypothyroidism results in little or no difference in quality of life. The certainty of the evidence is high.
The use of LT3 + LT4 compared to monotherapy with LT4 in hypothyroidism probably results in little or no difference in pain. The certainty of the evidence is moderate.
The use of LT3 + LT4 compared to monotherapy with LT4 in hypothyroidism could result in little or no difference in body weight, but the certainty of the evidence is low.
The use of LT3 + LT4 compared to monotherapy with LT4 in hypothyroidism probably results in little or no difference in cognitive function. The certainty of the evidence is moderate.
The use of LT3 + LT4 compared to monotherapy with LT4 in hypothyroidism probably results in little or no difference in adverse effects. The certainty of the evidence is moderate.

Follow the link to access the interactive version of this table (Interactive Summary of Findings – iSoF)

Other considerations for decision-making

To whom this evidence does and does not apply

Based on the patients included in the trials, the results of this summary apply to adult patients with acquired hypothyroidism.
In this summary, systematic reviews including trials of patients with hypothyroidism of various etiologies were used, so it is reasonable to extrapolate these results to all patients with acquired hypothyroidism.
The evidence presented in this summary should not be extrapolated to pediatric population or to pregnant women with hypothyroidism, considering that the requirements and potential risks in these groups vary, and that they were not evaluated in the included trials.

About the outcomes included in this summary

The selected outcomes are those considered critical for decision-making according to the opinion of the authors of this summary, matching in general with those evaluated by the systematic reviews identified.

Balance between benefits and risks, and certainty of the evidence

The combination therapy of LT3 + LT4 for hypothyroidism showed no advantages compared to standard treatment, with high and moderate certainty of evidence in its majority. The exception was the outcome of body weight, where there could be uncertainty. On the other hand, combination therapy would not have associated major risks.
The balance between benefits and risks is probably neutral.

Resource considerations

Considering that the combination therapy did not show benefits, the balance between cost and benefit is negative.

What would patients and their doctors think about this intervention

Faced with the evidence presented in this summary, the vast majority of patients should reject the use of this intervention, as the clinicians should as well.
However, there may be underrepresented conditions in the trials, in which there is a biological basis for expecting an effect, in which clinicians could lean towards the treatment. For example, some patients with hypothyroidism secondary to thyroidectomy for cancer.

Differences between this summary and other sources

The conclusions of this summary agree with those of the systematic reviews identified, as long as the combination therapy would have no advantages compared to the standard treatment, and therefore monotherapy with LT4 should remain the treatment of choice for hypothyroidism.
Two of the three systematic reviews included suggest that a subgroup of patients with hypothyroidism secondary to thyroidectomy due to cancer could benefit from combination therapy with LT3 and LT4 [4], [5].
The results of this summary also partially agree with those of the main international clinical guidelines; both the European Thyroid Association [19] and the American Thyroid Association [20] state there is not enough evidence to support that combination therapy is superior to monotherapy with LT4, and therefore the latter should be maintained as the standard treatment of hypothyroidism. The difference between these guidelines is that the first mentioned that in patients with hypothyroidism treated with LT4 in which there are residual symptoms despite the normalization of serum TSH levels, an experimental treatment with LT3 + LT4 could be considered, which should be suspended if after three months no improvement is observed. The American Thyroid Association, on the other hand, concludes that the available evidence does not support this suggestion.

Could this evidence change in the future?

It is unlikely that future research modify the conclusions of this summary, because the certainty of the existing evidence is high or moderate in its majority.
One trial that was not included in the cited systematic reviews was identified [21].
An ongoing systematic review [22] was identified in the PROSPERO database.
Four ongoing trials were identified [23], [24], [25], [26] in the International Register of Clinical Trials of the World Health Organization.

How we conducted this summary

Using automated and collaborative means, we compiled all the relevant evidence for the question of interest and we present it as a matrix of evidence.

Follow the link to access the interactive version: Combination therapy with thyroxine-triiodothyronine versus thyroxine monotherapy for hypothyroidism

Notes

The upper portion of the matrix of evidence will display a warning of “new evidence” if new systematic reviews are published after the publication of this summary. Even though the project considers the periodical update of these summaries, users are invited to comment in Medwave or to contact the authors through email if they find new evidence and the summary should be updated earlier.

After creating an account in Epistemonikos, users will be able to save the matrixes and to receive automated notifications any time new evidence potentially relevant for the question appears.

This article is part of the Epistemonikos Evidence Synthesis project. It is elaborated with a pre-established methodology, following rigorous methodological standards and internal peer review process. Each of these articles corresponds to a summary, denominated FRISBEE (Friendly Summary of Body of Evidence using Epistemonikos), whose main objective is to synthesize the body of evidence for a specific question, with a friendly format to clinical professionals. Its main resources are based on the evidence matrix of Epistemonikos and analysis of results using GRADE methodology. Further details of the methods for developing this FRISBEE are described here (http://dx.doi.org/10.5867/medwave.2014.06.5997)

Epistemonikos foundation is a non-for-profit organization aiming to bring information closer to health decision-makers with technology. Its main development is Epistemonikos database (www.epistemonikos.org).

Potential conflicts of interest

The authors do not have relevant interests to declare.

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