Improving T4 uptake stability in dosage

[diogenes]

This upcoming research topic is gathering papers for inclusion in the general title as above. Not published yet in Frontiers in Thyroid Endocrinology but should be later on this year.

Research Topic

Levothyroxine Therapy in Patients with Hypothyroidism: Volume II

The aim of this Research Topic is to investigate the use of the Levothyroxine (L-T4) therapy in different subjects, from children to the elderly, from pregnant women to thyroidectomized patients. We would like also to focus attention on the new L-T4 formulations, particularly on their use and their pharmacokinetics.

Levothyroxine is used worldwide for the treatment of hypothyroidism, traditionally in tablet form. Unfortunately, several issues often arise in the management of patients that are not able to absorb this drug, often leading physicians to increase their L-T4 daily dose. Malabsorption issues can be related to several factors: 1) gastric, or enteric disorders of autoimmune origins (such as celiac disease, autoimmune atrophic gastritis); 2) bariatric surgery; 3) interfering factors, such as the concomitant use of other drugs (such as proton-pump inhibitors); 4) food and beverages (such as coffee and fiber); 5) improper habits in the ingestion of the drug. Most of the malabsorption issues are related to L-T4 tablet formulations. Therefore, new L-T4 formulations were made to overcome these issues, such as the liquid preparation and the soft gel capsule.

Different studies demonstrate that the new formulations yield better results in the management of hypothyroid or thyroidectomized patients, with or without malabsorption or drug interference issues.

Further studies are needed to better understand this clinical topic, which will be useful for better management of the patients and for their well-being.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Thank you - it reads as if it could be very interesting.

Can't help being frustrated/annoyed/angered by the lack of soft gel (Tirosint) and single dose liquid (Tirosint Sol) in the UK. Despite being available in many EEA countries.

We need the manufacturer (IBSA for these two examples), or an importer, to go through approval for it to reach the market here. Approval elsewhere counts for nothing these days.