The Association Between Hypothyroidism and Cognitive Function Change in Women across the Menopause Transition: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation
Authors' conclusion
We observed no difference in cognitive decline between women with LT4-treated hypothyroidism and women without thyroid disease.
Study context
- Population
- Diverse midlife women across the menopause transition, 5 ethnic/racial groups, 7 US sites (Study of Women's Health Across the Nation)
- Participants
- 2,033 women
- Exposure
- Levothyroxine (LT4)-treated hypothyroidism vs control women without thyroid disease
- LT4-treated hypothyroidismn = 227
- Outcome
- Cognitive function trajectories (processing speed, working memory, episodic memory: immediate and delayed recall) over up to 9 assessments
Methodological detailsmultivariable generalized linear mixed models
- Multivariable generalized linear mixed models
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Rate of cognitive decline (any measure) · over time
- No significant differences in rate of cognitive decline (any measure) between hypothyroidism and control groups, with or without covariate adjustment
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Mean
| Outcome | LT4-treated hypothyroidism | Control | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing speed score at baselineHigher with LT4-treated | 56.5 | 54.4 | P = 0.006 |
| Working memory score at baselineHigher with LT4-treated | 6.8 | 6.4 | P = 0.018 |
Sensitivity analyses: abnormal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, minimized practice effects
- Results similar for LT4-treated women with abnormal TSH or after minimizing practice effects
Original publication
The Association Between Hypothyroidism and Cognitive Function Change in Women across the Menopause Transition: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation. Thyroid. Published 3 September 2024. doi:10.
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