National Organizations Do Not Endorse New Approach for Treatment of Hypothyroidism
The 2013 guidelines issued by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Thyroid Association reiterated their long standing opinion that only a single hormone, T4 (Synthroid, levothyroxine) is advised for treatment of hypothyroidism. These key organizations representing the nation's endocrinologists state there is no good evidence supporting use of treatments of hypothyroidism incorporating T3 (liothyronine, Cytomel). This recommendation persists despite findings from the recent WATTS study. This research uncovered a genetic alteration present in about 16% of the population that would make the addition of T3 to conventional T4 therapy of hypothyroidism necessary to achieve full relief of symptoms. In rejecting the idea of combination thyroid hormone therapy these policy making organizations also dismissed the findings of another major study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1999, showing the addition of this key thyroid hormone, T3, to...