Levothyroxine Shows No Symptomatic Benefits in Older Adults with Hypothyroidism

​A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial revealed that levothyroxine produced no symptomatic benefits compared to a placebo for treating older adults with subclinical hypothyroidism, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on April 3, 2017. The trial included adults age 65 years or older with persistent subclinical hypothyroidism that was measured at least two times within a three-month to three-year period; adults who were currently taking levothyroxine or other antithyroid drugs, or who were diagnosed with dementia, a coronary syndrome, or terminal illness were excluded from participation. The authors of the study screened 2,647 individuals, and measured two primary outcomes: hypothyroid symptoms score and tiredness score.