Abstract

Dr. B.V.S Lakshmi*, Kishan, P.Srikanth, M.Akshita, Peggy Hazel

ABSTRACT

Context: In hypothyroidism because of unknown reasons, large doses of levothyroxine are required to achieve a therapeutic endpoint, preliminary observations indicated that hypoacidic gastric environment is associated with reduction in levothyroxine bioavailability and co-administration of vitamin C might enhance absorption. Aims: We assessed whether this effect would be obtained taking levothyroxine with vitamin C. Settings and design: A hospital based Prospective interventional comparative Study was carried out on 80 patients. Materials and methods: The study population consisted of 80 subjects divided into 4 groups. 20 into Normal untreated Healthy Subjects, 20 into Thyroid Patients treated only with levothyroxine, 20 into 25?g of Levothyroxine+VitaminC [10patients with 500mg and 10 patients with 1000mg],20 into 50?g Levothyroxine+Vitamin C [10patients with 500mg and 10 patients with 1000mg of vitamin C].This study examined the levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone, (TSH). The mean TSH level was significantly higher whereas T3 and T4 were lower in hypothyroid patients than in normal untreated Healthy Subjects. Results: After 12weeks of taking levothyroxine with vitamin C, serum TSH decreased in all patients. mean±SEM for [25?g of levothyroxine TSH was 9.19±1.17?IU/L vs TSH on 500mg vitamin C treatment of 5.65±0.041?IU/L (p