Serum free triiodothyronine as an adjunctive marker for thyroid hormone status in athyreotic patients on levothyroxine
Authors' conclusion
In our cohort, lower FT3 was associated with selected metabolic markers in LT4-treated athyreotic patients, suggesting that FT3 may provide additional information on peripheral thyroid hormone status in selected patients. Prospective studies with standardized sampling and adjustment for confounding are warranted to establish FT3 as a validated marker or support FT3-guided dosing.
Study context
- Population
- Athyreotic patients taking ≥1.2 μg/kg of levothyroxine (LT4)
- Participants
- 426 patients
- Exposure
- Low free triiodothyronine (FT3) vs normal FT3 in LT4-treated athyreotic patients
- Outcome
- Distribution by FT3 and FT4 status
Methodological detailssingle-centre, propensity-score matched subset (gender as covariate)
- Single-centre
- Propensity-score matched subset (gender as covariate)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Metabolic markers, low vs normal FT3 (156 propensity-score matched patients not on anti-hyperlipidemic drugs)
- Alanine transaminase and BMI significantly elevated with low FT3 vs normal FT3
- Propensity score matching using gender as a covariate
Original publication
Serum free triiodothyronine as an adjunctive marker for thyroid hormone status in athyreotic patients on levothyroxine. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 17 June 2026. doi:10.
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