This important study from a very reputable source, tells us something that most of my thyroid patients have known for a very long time, and is also discussed on the thyroid internet discussion groups – people do better on the natural thyroid (DTE- desiccated thyroid extract) Hopefully this study from this influential group will change the negative attitude most specialists have to the natural thyroid use. As I have pointed out before, presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton is on the natural thyroid (see my web-site) so she must know something that most endocrinologists don’t

Thyroid. 2018 Jun;28(6):707-721. doi: 10.1089/thy.2017.0681. Epub 2018 Apr 5.

An Online Survey of Hypothyroid Patients Demonstrates Prominent Dissatisfaction.

Peterson SJ¹, Cappola AR², Castro MR³, Dayan CM⁴, Farwell AP⁵, Hennessey JV⁶, Kopp PA⁷, Ross DS⁸, Samuels MH⁹, Sawka AM¹⁰, Taylor PN⁴, Jonklaas J¹¹, Bianco AC¹.

Author information

11 Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rush University Medical Center , Chicago, Illinois.22 Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.33 Division of Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic , Rochester, Minnesota.44 Thyroid Research Group, Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine , Cardiff, United Kingdom .55 Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Boston Medical Center/Boston University , Boston, Massachusetts.66 Division of Endocrinology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center , Boston, Massachusetts.77 Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University , Chicago, Illinois.88 Thyroid Associates, Massachusetts General Hospital , Boston, Massachusetts.99 Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health and Science University , Portland, Oregon.1010 University Health Network and University of Toronto , Toronto, Canada .1111 Division of Endocrinology, Georgetown University , Washington, DC.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Approximately 15% more patients taking levothyroxine (LT4) report impaired quality of life compared to controls. This could be explained by additional diagnoses independently affecting quality of life and complicating assignment of causation. This study sought to investigate the underpinnings of reduced quality of life in hypothyroid patients and to provide data for discussion at a symposium addressing hypothyroidism.

METHODS:

An online survey for hypothyroid patients was posted on the American Thyroid Association Web site and forwarded to multiple groups. Respondents were asked to rank satisfaction with their treatment for hypothyroidism and their treating physician. They also ranked their perception regarding physician knowledge about hypothyroidism treatments, need for new treatments, and life impact of hypothyroidism on a scale of 1-10. Respondents reported the therapy they were taking, categorized as LT4, LT4 and liothyronine (LT4 + LT3), or desiccated thyroid extract (DTE). They also reported sex, age, cause of hypothyroidism, duration of treatment, additional diagnoses, and prevalence of symptoms.

RESULTS:

A total of 12,146 individuals completed the survey. The overall degree of satisfaction was 5 (interquartile range [IQR] = 3-8). Among respondents without self-reported depression, stressors, or medical conditions (n = 3670), individuals taking DTE reported a higher median treatment satisfaction of 7 (IQR = 5-9) compared to other treatments. At the same time, the LT4 treatment group exhibited the lowest satisfaction of 5 (IQR = 3-7), and for the LT4 + LT3 treatment group, satisfaction was 6 (IQR = 3-8). Respondents taking DTE were also less likely to report problems with weight management, fatigue/energy levels, mood, and memory compared to those taking LT4 or LT4 + LT3.

CONCLUSIONS:

A subset of patients with hypothyroidism are not satisfied with their current therapy or their physicians. Higher satisfaction with both treatment and physicians is reported by those patients on DTE. While the study design does not provide a mechanistic explanation for this observation, future studies should investigate whether preference for DTE is related to triiodothyronine levels or other unidentified causes.