Table 2.
LT4 formulations preferred by respondents in different clinical scenarios
| Tablets, n (%) | Soft-gel capsules, n (%) | Liquid solution, n (%) | Branded tablets, n (%) | “I expect no major changes with the different formulations”, n (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interfering drugs may influence the stability of therapy. Which LT4 preparation is in your experience less likely to be subject to variable absorption? | 34 (4.3) | 255 (32) | 397 (49.8) | 0 (0) | 111 (13.9) |
| Which of the following preparations of LT4 would you prescribe in case of a first diagnosis of hypothyroidism, when the patient self-reports intolerance to various foods raising the possibility of celiac disease, malabsorption, lactose intolerance or intolerance to excipients? | 9 (1.1) | 246 (30.9) | 524 (65.7) | 0 (0) | 18 (2.3) |
| Which of the following preparations of LT4 would you prescribe for a patient established on generic LT4 who has unexplained poor biochemical control of hypothyroidism? | 0 (0) | 229 (29.7) | 364 (45.7) | 179 (22.5) | 25 (3.1) |
| Which of the following preparations of LT4 would you prescribe for a patient with poor biochemical control who is unable (due to busy lifestyle) to take LT4 fasting and separate from food/drink? | 3 (0.4) | 255 (32) | 533 (66.9) | 0 (0) | 6 (0.7) |
| Which of the following preparations of LT4 would you prescribe for a patient established on generic T4 who has good biochemical control of hypothyroidism but continues to have symptoms? | 0 (0) | 154 (19.3) | 188 (23.6) | 54 (6.8) | 401 (50.3) |
LT4, levothyroxine.