Treatment of Hypothyroidism by Age and Sex in the United States: A NHANES and Optum Claims Data Analysis
Authors' conclusion
This study provides important updates regarding treatment of OHT and highlights treatment disparities, especially among men and women of reproductive age, using both total and insured population estimates.
Study context
- Population
- US adults with overt hypothyroidism (TSH > 4.0 mIU/L and FT4 < 0.8 ng/dL or evidence of overt HT (OHT) treatment)
- Exposure
- NHANES vs Optum Claims data (OCD)
- Outcome
- Treatment rates of overt hypothyroidism (levothyroxine or liothyronine)
Methodological detailsNHANES (2009-2012) and Optum Claims data (2012-2019), stratified by age group and sex
- NHANES (2009-2012) and Optum Claims data (2012-2019)
- Stratified by age group and sex
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Treatment rate of OHT
OCD
> 80%
- Overall receiving treatment
- > 72%
- OCD: treatment similar across age group and sex
- > 78% treated
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
NHANES treatment rate by age, females vs males
- Age 18-44, females vs males
- 47.3% vs 39.9%
- Age 45-59, females vs males
- 76.8% vs 51.1%
- Age ≥ 60, females vs males
- 91.9% vs 65.6%
- Treatment rates increased with advancing age, consistently higher in females
NHANES treatment rate, not privately/Medicare insured
- Overall
- 50%
- Age ≥ 60 (highest)
- > 75%
NHANES treatment rate, reproductive-aged women
- All
- < 50%
- Uninsured
- 22%
Original publication
Treatment of Hypothyroidism by Age and Sex in the United States: A NHANES and Optum Claims Data Analysis. Endocr Pract. Published 10 December 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →