Duration of thyroxine (levothyroxine) therapy

• 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:

1. Franklyn J. Hypothyroidism. Medicine 2005; 33 (11): 27-29.