Thyroid Hormone Supplementation for Hemodialysis Patients

This study is looking at whether a thyroid hormone supplement called Levothyroxine Sodium can improve the health and well-being of people on hemodialysis who have mild hypothyroidism (elevated TSH levels). Hypothyroidism, where your thyroid gland doesn't make enough hormones, is common in people with chronic kidney disease and can affect quality of life. We want to see if Levothyroxine Sodium can improve how you feel physically. To join, you must be 18-75 years old, have been on hemodialysis for at least four weeks, and have specific elevated TSH levels with normal free thyroxine (FT4) levels. The study is currently unclear about its recruitment status and plans to enroll 336 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive a specific treatment. It will compare Levothyroxine Sodium to a placebo (an inactive pill) to see the effects.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your health-related quality of life will be measured at the start of the study, then again at 12 weeks and 24 weeks.

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NCT03977207

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Thyroid Hormone Supplementation in Hemodialysis Patients

Recruiting
NAAges 18–75InterventionalTreatment
University of California, Irvine
~336 participants
Updated 2025-09-08 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Levothyroxine SodiumPlacebos

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) - Short Form 36 Physical Component Score
Measured over Week 0 (pre-trial/baseline)
+4 more outcomes measured
Thyroid; Functional Disturbance
Hypothyroidism
Hemodialysis
1 sites across 1 states
California1

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age 18-75 years old
Received hemodialysis at least four weeks
Have two consecutive thyrotropin (TSH) levels \>3.0-10.0mIU/L during the screening period
Have normal free thyroxine (FT4) levels
Have ability to provide written informed consent

Exclusion

Active treatment with thyroid hormone supplementation or anti-thyroid medications
Active receipt of dialysis
Prior kidney transplantation
Life expectancy less than six months
Active malignancy or prior thyroid malignancy
Active pregnancy or planning a pregnancy
Active coronary ischemia or atrial fibrillation (evaluated by EKG)
Active congestive heart failure exacerbation
Osteoporosis
Weight in excess of 450 lbs.
Hyperthyroidism as determined by TSH \<0.5mIU/L during the screening period, anti-thyroid medication use, or hyperthyroidism diagnosis
  • Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) - Short Form 36 Physical Component ScoreWeek 0 (pre-trial/baseline)

    We will assess HRQOL using the Short Form 36, which consists of 36 questions grouped into eight subscales (score 0-100 for each subscale; higher scores indicate better states of health) that will be used to derive a summary Physical Component Score.

  • Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) - Short Form 36 Physical Component ScoreWeek 12

    We will assess HRQOL using the Short Form 36, which consists of 36 questions grouped into eight subscales (score 0-100 for each subscale; higher scores indicate better states of health) that will be used to derive a summary Physical Component Score.

  • Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) - Short Form 36 Physical Component ScoreWeek 24

    We will assess HRQOL using the Short Form 36, which consists of 36 questions grouped into eight subscales (score 0-100 for each subscale; higher scores indicate better states of health) that will be used to derive a summary Physical Component Score.

  • Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC) - Volume ScoreWeek 0 (pre-trial/baseline)

    We will assess CAC Volume Score using a 256-multidetector CT test. Volume score will be calculated by multiplying the number of voxels with calcification by the volume of each voxel for each calcified lesion, and summing individual lesion scores from the four main coronary arteries (left main, left anterior descending, circumflex, and right coronary artery).

  • Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC) - Volume ScoreWeek 24

    We will assess CAC Volume Score using a 256-multidetector CT test. Volume score will be calculated by multiplying the number of voxels with calcification by the volume of each voxel for each calcified lesion, and summing individual lesion scores from the four main coronary arteries (left main, left anterior descending, circumflex, and right coronary artery).