Monitoring of thyroid function tests in hypothyroid patients on levothyroxine

Abstract

The study aims to identify and recommend ways of improving thyroid function monitoring. Over a three month period, eighty-eight patients with clinical and subclinical primary hypothyroidism on long-term levothyroxine therapy were seen by GPs at the Chronic Disease Managment Clinic. The monitoring intervals of thyroid function tests for patients with controlled and uncontrolled primary hypothyroidism were benchmarked with the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists guidelines. The overall average compliance for clinical hypothyroid cases was 69% (n=15) and 40% (n=9) for the subclinical hypothyroid cases. In the clinical hypothyroid cases compliance was 71% (n=15) and 67% (n=14) for controlled and uncontrolled cases, respectively. In the subclinical hypothyroid cases compliance was 43% (n=10) and 35% (n=8) for controlled and uncontrolled cases, respectively. Knowledge of the guidelines amongst GPs should be increased especially when it comes to the management of subclinical hypothyroidism, and in cases of uncontrolled hypothyroidism in general. This is possible through better dissemination, availability and reinforcement of such guidelines.