Cited by 40Bariatric Surgery and OutcomesThyroid Disorders and TreatmentsThyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

Hypothyroidism and levothyroxine therapy following bariatric surgery: a systematic review, meta-analysis, network meta-analysis, and meta-regression

Azran, Carmil, Hanhan-Shamshoum, Nirvana, Irshied, Tujan, Ben-Shushan, Tomer, Dicker, Dror, Dahan, Arik, Matok, Ilan·2021·Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases

Abstract

Background Many health benefits of bariatric surgery are known and well-studied, but there is scarce data on the benefits of bariatric surgery on the thyroid function.Objective We aimed to make a meta-analysis regarding the impact of bariatric surgery on thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, levothyroxine dose, and the status of subclinical hypothyroidism.Setting Systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched up to December 2020 for relevant clinical studies. Random-effects model was used to pool results. Network meta-analysis was performed, incorporating direct and indirect comparisons among different types of bariatric surgery. Meta-regression analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of moderator variables on TSH levels and required levothyroxine dose after surgery. We followed the PRISMA guidelines for data selection and extraction. PROSPERO registry number: CRD42018105739.Results A total of 28 studies involving 1284 patients were included. There was a statistically significant decrease in TSH levels after bariatric surgery (mean difference = -1.66 mU/L, 95%CI [-2.29, -1.03], P < .0001). In meta-regression analysis, we found that the following moderator variables: length of follow-up, mean age, baseline TSH, and preoperative thyroid function, could explain 1%, 43%, 68%, and 88% of the between-study variance, respectively. Furthermore, subclinical hypothyroidism was completely resolved in 87% of patients following bariatric surgery. In addition, there was a statistically significant decrease of levothyroxine dose in frank hypothyroid patients following bariatric surgery (mean difference = -13.20 mcg/d, 95%CI [-19.69, -6.71]). In network meta-analysis, we found that discontinuing or decreasing levothyroxine dose was significant following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, 1 anastomosis gastric bypass, and sleeve gastrectomy, (OR = 31.02, 95%CI [10.34, 93.08]), (OR = 41.73, 95%CI [2.04, 854.69]), (OR = 104.03, 95%CI [35.79, 302.38]), respectively.Conclusions Based on our meta-analysis, bariatric surgery is associated with the resolution of subclinical hypothyroidism, a decrease in TSH levels, and a decrease in levothyroxine dose.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.soard.2021.02.028

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  • Systematic reviews indicate that bariatric surgery is associated with lower TSH and lower daily LT4 needs.

    “Bariatric surgery can impact LT4 pharmacokinetics, and systematic reviews show that it is correlated with a reduction in TSH levels and daily LT4 requirements, 101,102 possibly due to changes in lean body mass.103”
  • Bariatric surgery can affect LT4 pharmacokinetics.

    “Bariatric surgery can impact LT4 pharmacokinetics, and systematic reviews show that it is correlated with a reduction in TSH levels and daily LT4 requirements, 101,102 possibly due to changes in lean body mass.103”

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Authors
Azran, C., Hanhan-Shamshoum, N., Irshied, T., Ben-Shushan, T., Dicker, D., Dahan, A., & Matok, I.
Affiliations
  • Herzliya Medical Center (IL)
  • Hebrew University of Jerusalem (IL)
  • Rabin Medical Center (IL)
  • Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (IL)
Corresponding author
Matok, Ilan
Venue
Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-06
Volume
17
Issue
6
Pages
1206-1217
ISSN
1550-7289 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3134325150
Cited by
40
References
63
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3
FWCI
1.32
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Bariatric Surgery and Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Thyroid Disorders and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
Keywords
bariatric surgery, hypothyroidism
MeSH terms
Network Meta-Analysis, Humans, Hypothyroidism, Obesity, Morbid, Thyroxine, Bariatric Surgery

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