Subcutaneous administration of levothyroxine: a novel approach to refractory hypothyroidism - A review and a case report

Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2021 Oct 29;65(5):664-668. doi: 10.20945/2359-3997000000349. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Abstract

Treatment-refractory hypothyroidism is a common clinical finding. Substantial causes include poor compliance and intake failure as well as gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and short bowel syndromes. Increasing oral dosage of levothyroxine (LT4) is not always effective. Therefore, alternative routes of administration are necessary. In this report, we evaluate alternative treatment modalities for refractory hypothyroidism and present a 28-year-old woman with intestinal drug malabsorption successfully treated by subcutaneous LT4 administration. In this patient, a parenteral form of LT4, 500 μg/5 ml, was administered subcutaneously in a split dosage regimen. Blood hormone levels returned to normal within a few days and remained stable over an 8-month follow-up period.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypothyroidism* / drug therapy
  • Malabsorption Syndromes*
  • Thyroxine

Substances

  • Thyroxine