Levothyroxine treatment for congenital hypothyroidism based on thyroid function: a 10-year clinical retrospective study

Abstract

Objective To explore the appropriate dosage of levothyroxine treatment for congenital hypothyroidism patients with different thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Methods A total of 116 patients, who were regularly followed-up in our endocrine clinic from January 2010 to December 2020, were divided into four groups based on their thyroid function (group A: TSH ≥ 100 mIU/L, group B: TSH ≥ 20, and < 100, group C: TSH > 4.6 mIU/L and < 20 mIU/L with free thyroxine (FT4) < 6.6 pmol/L, and group D: TSH > 4.6 mIU/L and < 20 mIU/L with FT4 > 6.6 pmol/L). The initial dosage of levothyroxine was individualized for each patient based on their TSH level and then adjusted according to their thyroid function at every follow-up time point. The levothyroxine dosage at each time point was compared between the groups, and thyroid function and physical and neurological development after treatment were also compared. Results After individualized dosage adjustment, all patients achieved normal thyroid function. Although there were statistical differences in neurological development between the four groups (p < 0.05), development was within the normal range for all groups. Conclusion An individualized levothyroxine dosage can provide the same therapeutic effect compared to the recommended dosage. This strategy may also reduce the risk of a drug overdose.