Discontinuation of Levothyroxine in Adults Aged 60 Years or Older

What percentage of adults aged 60 years or older can successfully discontinue levothyroxine treatment?In this open-label, single-group, prospective study of stepwise dose reduction among adults aged 60 years or older, 26% (95/370) discontinued levothyroxine while maintaining a thyrotropin (TSH) level of less than 10 mIU/L and a free thyroxine level within the reference range. Among the 88 participants taking a 50-µg/d dose or lower of levothyroxine, 56 (64%) successfully discontinued this treatment.Evaluation of the need to continue treatment with levothyroxine should be considered in adults aged 60 years or older, particularly in those taking a 50-µg/d dose or lower.

Corresponding Author: Rosalinde K. E. Poortvliet, MD, PhD, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Postal Zone V0-P, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands (r.k.e.poortvliet@lumc.nl).

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