| Abstract | CONTEXT: Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have an increased risk of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine whether levothyroxine (l-T(4)) treatment prevents the clinical manifestation of AIT in euthyroid subjects with T1D. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a prospective, randomized, open, controlled clinical trial at six tertiary care centers for pediatric endocrinology and diabetes. PATIENTS: Of 611 children and adolescents with T1D, 89 individuals (14.5%) were identified with positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), or both. Of these, 30 patients (age, 13.3 +/- 2.1 yr) met the inclusion criteria and were randomized to receive l-T(4) (n = 16 patients) or no treatment (n = 14 patients). INTERVENTION: l-T(4) (1.3 microg/kg daily) was given for 24 months in the treatment group, followed by an additional observation period of 6 months in both groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Thyroid gland volume (as determined by ultrasound), serum levels of TSH, thyroid hormones, TPOAb, and TgAb were assessed every 6 months for 30 months. RESULTS: Mean thyroid volume decreased in the treatment group after 24 months (-0.60 sd score) and increased in the observation group (+ 1.11 sd score; P = 0.0218). Serum thyrotropin, free T(4), TPOAb, and TgAb levels were not significantly different in both groups during the entire study period. Hypothyroidism developed in three individuals treated with l-T(4) and in four untreated patients (conversion rate, 9.3% per year). CONCLUSIONS: In this study in euthyroid patients with AIT and T1D, l-T(4) treatment reduced thyroid volume but had no effect on thyroid function and serum autoantibody levels. |
| Authors | Beate Karges, Rainer Muche, Ina Knerr, Waldemar Ertelt, Thomas Wiesel, Regine Hub, Andreas Neu, Albrecht Klinghammer, Julia Aufschild, Andrea Rapp, Andreas Schirbel, Bernhard O Boehm, Klaus M Debatin, Eberhard Heinze, Wolfram Karges
(Affiliation: Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Children's Hospital, University of Ulm, Eythstrasse 24, D-89075 Ulm, Germany. beate.karges at uniklinik-ulm.de)
|
| Journal | The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
(J Clin Endocrinol Metab)
Vol. 92
Issue 5
Pg. 1647-52
(May 2007)
ISSN: 0021-972X United States |
| PMID | 17299067
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
| Chemical References |
- Autoantibodies
- Thyroid Hormones
- Thyroxine
- Thyrotropin
- Thyroglobulin
- Iodide Peroxidase
|
| Topics |
- Adolescent
- Autoantibodies
(analysis)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Diabetes Complications
(drug therapy)
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
(drug therapy)
- Female
- Humans
- Infant
- Iodide Peroxidase
(immunology)
- Male
- Prospective Studies
- Thyroglobulin
(immunology)
- Thyroid Gland
(pathology)
- Thyroid Hormones
(blood)
- Thyroiditis, Autoimmune
(complications, drug therapy, pathology)
- Thyrotropin
(blood)
- Thyroxine
(therapeutic use)
|
