Background/Objectives: Levothyroxine (L-T4) replacement therapy is essential following total thyroidectomy. While liquid L-T4 formulations exhibit superior pharmacokinetic properties compared to tablets, their specific metabolic impact—particularly on insulin resistance—remains unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the short-term effects of liquid versus tablet L-T4 replacement therapy on insulin resistance indices in recently thyroidectomized women and to identify baseline predictors of metabolic response. Methods: A post hoc analysis included 130 women randomized to receive either liquid or tablet L-T4 after total thyroidectomy. Metabolic parameters—including the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides-glucose (TyG) index, and triglycerides-to-HDL cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio—were assessed at baseline and after two months. Results: Both L-T4 formulations significantly improved insulin resistance indices over two months. Liquid L-T4 induced a more pronounced reduction in HOMA-IR (treatment effect p = 0.022) and fasting insulin levels (treatment effect p = 0.017) compared to the tablet formulation. No significant between-group differences were observed for TyG index or TG/HDL-C ratio. Changes in insulin resistance markers were independent of body mass index variations and were predicted by baseline metabolic parameters including insulin, glucose, and lipid levels. Conclusions: L-T4 replacement therapy improves insulin resistance markers shortly after thyroidectomy, with the liquid formulation exerting a greater effect on hepatic insulin sensitivity. These findings support the individualized selection of L-T4 formulations to optimize both endocrine and metabolic outcomes post-thyroidectomy.

Comparative Study Between the Short-Term Effects of Replacement Therapy with Liquid and Tablet Formulations of Levothyroxine on Insulin Resistance Markers in Recently Thyroidectomized Female Patients / Baratta, Francesco; Moscucci, Federica; Bocale, Raffaella; Savoia, Carmine; Cocomello, Nicholas; Lospinuso, Ilaria; Ettorre, Evaristo; Desideri, Giovambattista; Pontecorvi, Alfredo. - In: METABOLITES. - ISSN 2218-1989. - 15:8(2025), pp. 1-11. [10.3390/metabo15080547]

Comparative Study Between the Short-Term Effects of Replacement Therapy with Liquid and Tablet Formulations of Levothyroxine on Insulin Resistance Markers in Recently Thyroidectomized Female Patients

Baratta, Francesco
;
Moscucci, Federica;Savoia, Carmine;Cocomello, Nicholas;Lospinuso, Ilaria;Ettorre, Evaristo;Desideri, Giovambattista;Pontecorvi, Alfredo
2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Levothyroxine (L-T4) replacement therapy is essential following total thyroidectomy. While liquid L-T4 formulations exhibit superior pharmacokinetic properties compared to tablets, their specific metabolic impact—particularly on insulin resistance—remains unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the short-term effects of liquid versus tablet L-T4 replacement therapy on insulin resistance indices in recently thyroidectomized women and to identify baseline predictors of metabolic response. Methods: A post hoc analysis included 130 women randomized to receive either liquid or tablet L-T4 after total thyroidectomy. Metabolic parameters—including the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides-glucose (TyG) index, and triglycerides-to-HDL cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio—were assessed at baseline and after two months. Results: Both L-T4 formulations significantly improved insulin resistance indices over two months. Liquid L-T4 induced a more pronounced reduction in HOMA-IR (treatment effect p = 0.022) and fasting insulin levels (treatment effect p = 0.017) compared to the tablet formulation. No significant between-group differences were observed for TyG index or TG/HDL-C ratio. Changes in insulin resistance markers were independent of body mass index variations and were predicted by baseline metabolic parameters including insulin, glucose, and lipid levels. Conclusions: L-T4 replacement therapy improves insulin resistance markers shortly after thyroidectomy, with the liquid formulation exerting a greater effect on hepatic insulin sensitivity. These findings support the individualized selection of L-T4 formulations to optimize both endocrine and metabolic outcomes post-thyroidectomy.
2025
HOMA-IR; TyG index; insulin resistance; levothyroxine; metabolic syndrome; thyroidectomy
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Comparative Study Between the Short-Term Effects of Replacement Therapy with Liquid and Tablet Formulations of Levothyroxine on Insulin Resistance Markers in Recently Thyroidectomized Female Patients / Baratta, Francesco; Moscucci, Federica; Bocale, Raffaella; Savoia, Carmine; Cocomello, Nicholas; Lospinuso, Ilaria; Ettorre, Evaristo; Desideri, Giovambattista; Pontecorvi, Alfredo. - In: METABOLITES. - ISSN 2218-1989. - 15:8(2025), pp. 1-11. [10.3390/metabo15080547]
File allegati a questo prodotto
File Dimensione Formato  
Baratta_Comparative-Study_2025.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione editoriale (versione pubblicata con il layout dell'editore)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 1.19 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.19 MB Adobe PDF

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1744802
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 0
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 0
social impact