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Background

Levothyroxine (LT4) is the mainstay of treatment for hypothyroidism. However, a significant proportion of patients with hypothyroidism (up to 15%) experience persistent symptoms that compromise their quality of life, and the reasons for this are not well understood (1). Barriers to optimal thyroid hormone replacement are potential variables to consider. This study aimed to investigate how patients use LT4 in real life, focusing on adherence, timing of intake, and drug interactions. The study also assessed thyroid health, as indicated by serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) to determine whether correct LT4 use is associated with better thyroid health (2).

Methods

This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted in Belgium between November 2018 and June 2019. The study enrolled adults who had been using LT4 for at least 2 years and were 18 years of age or …