A Randomized Controlled Trial of Thyroid Hormone Supplementation in Hemodialysis Patients

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Thyroid; Functional Disturbance, Hypothyroidism, Hemodialysis

In brief

Hypothyroidism, defined by elevated thyrotropin (TSH) levels, is a common endocrine complication in chronic kidney disease patients, and prior evidence shows that higher TSH levels, even within the normal laboratory range, are strongly associated with impaired quality of life and cardiovascular disease in this population. Levothyroxine is one of the most frequently prescribed medications in chronic kidney disease, yet its efficacy and safety in these patients have not been well-studied. Hence, this study will investigate 1) whether levothyroxine improves patient-centered (e.g., health-related quality of life, physical performance, strength) and 2) cardiovascular (e.g., coronary artery calcification, endothelial function, systolic function) outcomes in dialysis patients, and 3) if thyroid hormone replacement exerts classic metabolic effects (i.e., changes in body fat and resting energy expenditure) in this population.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03977207

Run by

University of California, Irvine

People needed

336

Starts

2020-07-20

Expected to finish

2025-11-30

Last updated by the study team

2025-09-08

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 75. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 18-75 years old
• Received hemodialysis at least four weeks
• Have two consecutive thyrotropin (TSH) levels >3.0-10.0mIU/L during the screening period
• Have normal free thyroxine (FT4) levels
• Have ability to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if…

• Active treatment with thyroid hormone supplementation or anti-thyroid medications
• Active receipt of dialysis
• Prior kidney transplantation
• Life expectancy less than six months
• Active malignancy or prior thyroid malignancy
• Active pregnancy or planning a pregnancy
• Active coronary ischemia or atrial fibrillation (evaluated by EKG)
• Active congestive heart failure exacerbation
• Osteoporosis
• Weight in excess of 450 lbs.
• Hyperthyroidism as determined by TSH <0.5mIU/L during the screening period, anti-thyroid medication use, or hyperthyroidism diagnosis

Where it is running

• University of California Irvine — Orange, California, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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