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Tablet and oral liquid L-thyroxine formulation in the treatment of naïve hypothyroid patients with Helicobacter pylori infection

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Abstract

To compare the clinical efficacy of tablet and oral liquid L-thyroxine (LT4) formulation in naïve hypothyroid subjects with Helicobacter pylori infection. Forty-seven adult naïve hypothyroid subjects with dyspeptic symptoms were investigated with upper endoscopy and divided into: 28 patients with Helicobacter pylori infection (Group A); 15 patients without gastric alterations (group B); 4 patients with autoimmune gastritis were excluded from the study. Subjects were randomly treated with a same dose of LT4 tablet (TAB) or oral liquid formulation (SOL), for 9 months on group A and 6 months on group B. Helicobacter pylori infection was eradicated after 3 months of LT4 treatment. On group A, after 3 months (before Helicobacter pylori eradication), subjects treated with SOL showed a greater thyroid-stimulating hormone reduction (ΔTSH3–0: TAB = −4.1 ± 4.6 mU/L; SOL = −7.7 ± 2.5 mU/L; p = 0.029) and a greater homogeneity in the thyroid-stimulating hormone values (TSH3mo: TAB = 5.7 ± 4.9 mU/L; SOL = 4.1 ± 2.0 mU/L; p = 0.025), compared to LT4 tablet. At 9 months (after 6 months of Helicobacter pylori eradication) mean thyroid-stimulating hormone values were lower in subjects treated with LT4 tablet (TSH9mo: TAB = 1.8 ± 1.2 mU/L; SOL = 3.2 ± 1.7 mU/L; p = 0.006). On group B no difference were observed, at each time point, in the mean thyroid-stimulating hormone values and thyroid-stimulating hormone variations between two LT4 formulations. LT4 liquid formulation may produce a better clinical response compared to the tablet formulation in hypothyroid subjects with Helicobacter pylori infection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology (DE), Department of Medical & Surgical Sciences, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy

    Danilo Ribichini, Andrea Repaci & Renato Pasquali

  2. Division of Internal Medicine (IM), Department of Medical & Surgical Sciences, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy

    Giulia Fiorini, Valentina Castelli & Dino Vaira

  3. Gastroenterogy & Endoscopy Unit, Versilia Hospital, Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, Lido di Camaiore, Italy

    Luigi Gatta

Authors
  1. Danilo Ribichini
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  2. Giulia Fiorini
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  3. Andrea Repaci
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  4. Valentina Castelli
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Correspondence to Danilo Ribichini or Renato Pasquali.

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Ribichini, D., Fiorini, G., Repaci, A. et al. Tablet and oral liquid L-thyroxine formulation in the treatment of naïve hypothyroid patients with Helicobacter pylori infection. Endocrine 57, 394–401 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-016-1167-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-016-1167-3

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