Treatment for primary hypothyroidism: current approaches and future possibilities

Abstract

Primary hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disease. Although the diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism is often considered simple, there are large numbers of people with this condition who are suboptimally treated. Even in those people with hypothyroidism who are biochemically euthyroid on levothyroxine replacement there is a significant proportion who report poorer quality of life. This review explores the historical and current treatment options for hypothyroidism, reasons for and potential solutions to suboptimal treatment, and future possibilities in the treatment of hypothyroidism.

Keywords:

• primary hypothyroidism
• levothyroxine
• triiodothyronine
• thyroid-stimulating hormone
• thyroid

Acknowledgments

BV was partly supported in this work by the National Institute for Health Research Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.