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Search for other papers by Isabel M Abreu in
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Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Centro Hospitalar S. João, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, Porto, Portugal
Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Search for other papers by Bernardo de Sousa Pinto in
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Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Centro Hospitalar S. João, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, Porto, Portugal
Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Previous studies suggested that subclinical hypothyroidism has a detrimental effect on cardiovascular risk factors, and that its effective treatment may have a beneficial impact on overall health. The main purpose of this review and meta-analysis was to assess whether subclinical hypothyroidism treatment is of clinical relevance, based on cardiovascular risk parameters correction. A systemic research of the literature using MEDLINE tool was performed to identify the relevant studies. Only placebo-controlled randomized control trials were included. A quantitative analysis was also performed. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials assess the different impact of levothyroxine vs placebo treatment. A significant decrease in serum thyroid-stimulating hormone and total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was obtained with levothyroxine therapy (66, 9 and 14%, respectively) and, although modest, this could be significant in terms of reduction of the incidence of coronary artery disease. Other significant results of lipid parameters were not obtained. This systematic review provides a strong evidence-based data in favour of specific changes and beneficial effects of levothyroxine treatment.
