duration of thyroxine (levothyroxine) therapy
Last reviewed 01/2018
- in the case mild hypothyroidism occurring within the first 6 months after
therapy for hyperthyroidism, or if a diagnosis of subacute or silent thyroiditis,
then hypothyroidism in these circumstances may be temporary
- if the symptoms are sufficiently severe to require treatment with T4, consider stopping stopping treatment after 6 months for a period of 6 weeks so that serum TSH can be measured in the absence of T4 therapy (1)
- hypothyroidism diagnosed in other circumstances is always lifelong - therefore withdrawal of T4 therapy is inappropriate
Reference:
- Franklyn J. Hypothyroidism. Medicine 2005; 33 (11): 27-29.