Levothyroxine therapy for euthyroidism restoration results in clinically insignificant weight and anthropometric changes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors' conclusion
Achieving euthyroidism with levothyroxine produces modest reductions in BW, BMI, FM, and LBM. Effects appear partly influenced by disease severity, with more consistent BW and BMI reductions in overt hypothyroidism.
Study context
- Population
- Hypothyroid adults achieving euthyroidism with levothyroxine; English-language studies in PubMed and Google Scholar up to April 1, 2026
- Participants
- 763 adults23 studies
- Comparison
- Before levothyroxine initiation vs after achievement of euthyroidism
- Outcome
- Mean change from baseline to post-treatment in BW and anthropometric parameters (BMI, waist circumference (WC), FM, LBM)
Methodological detailssubgroup analyses, meta-regression
- Subgroup analyses
- Meta-regression
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Mean change from baseline to post-treatment
Body weight (BW) change
−1.39 kg
95% CI −2.56 to −0.23
Body mass index (BMI) change
−0.39 kg/m²
95% CI −0.68 to −0.11
Fat mass (FM) change
−0.75 kg
95% CI −1.47 to −0.02
Lean body mass (LBM) change
−0.95 kg
95% CI −1.47 to −0.43
Further pooled results
Subgroups by hypothyroidism severity
- Significant reductions in BW and BMI in overt hypothyroidism, but not in SCH
- LBM decreased significantly only in SCH
Meta-regression
- Baseline TSH and study duration not associated with changes in anthropometric outcomes
Original publication
Levothyroxine therapy for euthyroidism restoration results in clinically insignificant weight and anthropometric changes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 18 September 2026. doi:10.
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