Amiodarone and thyroid

Assessment of TSH and TPO-Ab before starting amiodarone (AM) treatment is recommended. The usefulness of periodic TSH measurement every 6 months during AM treatment is limited by the often sudden explosive onset of AIT, and the spontaneous return of a suppressed TSH to normal values in half of the cases. AM-induced hypothyroidism develops rather early after starting treatment, preferentially in iodine-sufficient areas and in females with TPO-Ab; it is due to failure to escape from the Wolff-Chaikoff effect, resulting in preserved radioiodine uptake. AM-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) occurs at any time during treatment, preferentially in iodine-deficient regions and in males. AIT can be classified in type 1 (iodide-induced thyrotoxicosis, best treated by potassium perchlorate in combination with thionamides and discontinuation of AM) and type 2 (destructive thyrotoxicosis, best treated by prednisone; discontinuation of AM may not be necessary). AIT is associated with a higher rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (especially of ventricular arrhythmias). Uncertainty continues to exist with respect to the feasibility of continuation of AM despite AIT, the appropriate methods to distinguish between AIT type 1 and 2 as well as the advantages of AIT classification into subtypes in view of possible mixed cases, and the best policy when AM needs to be restarte

Selenite supplementation in euthyroid subjects with thyroid peroxidase antibodies

Euthyroid thyroid peroxidase (TPO-Ab)-positive subjects are at risk for progression to subclinical and overt autoimmune hypothyroidism. Previous studies have shown a decrease in TPO-Ab and improvement of quality-of-life (QoL) in L-T4-treated hypothyroid patients upon selenium supplementation. To evaluate in euthyroid TPO-Ab-positive women without thyroid medication whether selenite decreases TPO-Ab and improves QoL. Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Euthyroid (TSH 0·5-5·0 mU/l, FT4 10-23 pm) women with TPO-Ab ≥ 100 kU/l were randomized to receive 200 mcg sodium selenite daily (n = 30) or placebo (n = 31) for 6 months. TSH, FT4, TPO-Ab, selenium (Se), selenoprotein P (SePP) and QoL were measured at baseline, 3, 6 and 9 months. There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the Se group and the placebo group. During selenite supplementation, serum Se and SePP did not change in the placebo group, but increased in the Se group. TPO-Ab and TSH did not change significantly in any group. TPO-Ab in the Se group were 895 (130-6800) at baseline, 1360 (60-7050) kU/l at 6 months, in the placebo group 1090 (120-9200) and 1130 (80-9900) kU/l, respectively (median values with range). TSH in the Se group was 2·1 (0·5-4·3) at baseline, 1·7 (0·0-5·3) mU/l at 6 months, in the placebo group 2·4 (0·7-4·4) and 2·5 (0·2-4·3) mU/l, respectively. QoL was not different between the groups. Six months selenite supplementation increased markers of selenium status but had no effect on serum TPO-Ab, TSH or quality-of-life in euthyroid TPO-Ab-positive wome

Treatment of Amiodarone-Induced Thyrotoxicosis Type 2: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Context: Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) type 2 is self-limiting in nature, but most physicians are reluctant to continue amiodarone. When prednisone fails to restore euthyroidism, possibly due to mixed cases of AIT type 1 and 2, perchlorate (ClO4) might be useful because ClO4 reduces the cytotoxic effect of amiodarone on thyrocytes. Objectives: Our objectives were to demonstrate the feasibility of continuation of amiodarone in AIT type 2 and to evaluate the usefulness of ClO4 (given alone or in combination with prednisone) in AIT type 2. Design and Setting: A randomized multicenter study was conducted in 10 Dutch hospitals. Methods: Patients with AIT type 2 were randomized to receive prednisone 30 mg/d (group A, n = 12), sodium perchlorate 500 mg twice daily (group B, n = 14), or prednisone plus perchlorate (group C, n = 10); all patients continued amiodarone and were also treated with methimazole 30 mg/d. Follow-up was 2 yr. Main Outcome Measures: Treatment efficacy (defined as TSH values >= 0.4 mU/liter under continuation of amiodarone) and recurrent thyrotoxicosis were evaluated. Results: Initial therapy was efficacious in 100, 71, and 100% of groups A, B, and C, respectively (P = 0.03). The 29% failures in group B became euthyroid after addition of prednisone. Neither the time to reach TSH of 0.4 mU/liter or higher [8 wk (4-20), 14 wk (4-32), and 12 wk (4-28) in groups A, B, and C respectively] nor the time to reach free T-4 of 25 pmol/liter or below [4 wk (4-20), 12 wk (4-20), and 8 wk (4-20) in groups A, B, and C) were significantly different between groups (values as median with range). Recurrent thyrotoxicosis occurred in 8.3%. Conclusion: Euthyroidism was reached despite continuation of amiodarone in all patients. Prednisone remains the preferred treatment modality of AIT type 2, because perchlorate given alone or in combination with prednisone had no better outcomes. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 97:499-506, 2012

SUGAR-DIP trial:Oral medication strategy versus insulin for diabetes in pregnancy, study protocol for a multicentre, open-label, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial

Introduction In women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) requiring pharmacotherapy, insulin was the established first-line treatment. More recently, oral glucose lowering drugs (OGLDs) have gained popularity as a patient-friendly, less expensive and safe alternative. Monotherapy with metformin or glibenclamide (glyburide) is incorporated in several international guidelines. In women who do not reach sufficient glucose control with OGLD monotherapy, usually insulin is added, either with or without continuation of OGLDs. No reliable data from clinical trials, however, are available on the effectiveness of a treatment strategy using all three agents, metformin, glibenclamide and insulin, in a stepwise approach, compared with insulin-only therapy for improving pregnancy outcomes. In this trial, we aim to assess the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and patient experience of a stepwise combined OGLD treatment protocol, compared with conventional insulin-based therapy for GDM. Methods The SUGAR-DIP trial is an open-label, multicentre randomised controlled non-inferiority trial. Participants are women with GDM who do not reach target glycaemic control with modification of diet, between 16 and 34 weeks of gestation. Participants will be randomised to either treatment with OGLDs, starting with metformin and supplemented as needed with glibenclamide, or randomised to treatment with insulin. In women who do not reach target glycaemic control with combined metformin and glibenclamide, glibenclamide will be substituted with insulin, while continuing metformin. The primary outcome will be the incidence of large-for-gestational-age infants (birth weight >90th percentile). Secondary outcome measures are maternal diabetes-related endpoints, obstetric complications, neonatal complications and cost-effectiveness analysis. Outcomes will be analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Ethics and dissemination The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Utrecht University Medical Centre. Approval by the boards of management for all participating hospitals will be obtained. Trial results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals