Management Practices Among Primary Care Physicians and Thyroid Specialists in the Care of Hypothyroid Patients

Abstract

Prospective studies are not available to address various issues commonly encountered in the management of hypothyroid patients. We have conducted a case-based mail survey of American Thyroid Association(ATA) members and primary care providers (PCP) regarding hypothyroidism management issues. A majority of ATA members and a minority of PCPs used antithyroid antibody testing in the evaluation of hypothyroidism. Approximately 2/3 of all respondents indicated that they would treat patients with mild thyroid failure when antithyroid antibodies are negative; 77% of PCPs and 95% of ATA members recommended treatment when antibodies are positive. For a young patient with mild thyroid failure, 71% of ATA members would initiate a full levothyroxine (LT₄) replacement dose of 1.6 μg/kg per day or slightly lower; PCPs were more likely to start with a low dose and titrate upwards. For a young patient with overt hypothyroidism, 42% of PCPs and 51% of ATA respondents recommended an initial full LT₄ replacement dose. The majority of all respondents would start with a low LT₄ dose and adjust the dose gradually in an elderly patient, regardless of the severity of thyroid hormone deficiency. More than 40% of ATA respondents chose a target thyrotropin (TSH) range of 0.5-2.0 μU/mL for a young patient while 39% favored a goal of 1.0-4.0 μU/mL for an elderly patient. PCPs more often chose a broader TSH goal of 0.5-5.0 μU/mL. In conclusion, the current practice patterns of PCPs and ATA members that were elicited in this survey differ significantly in regard to the evaluation and management of hypothyroidism.