Cited by 164Thyroid Disorders and TreatmentsDrug Solubulity and Delivery SystemsThyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

Gastrointestinal malabsorption of thyroxine

Open access
Virili, Camilla, Antonelli, Alessandro, Santaguida, Maria Giulia, Benvenga, Salvatore, Centanni, Marco·2019·Endocrine Reviews

Abstract

Levothyroxine, a largely prescribed drug with a narrow therapeutic index, is often a lifelong treatment. The therapeutic efficacy of T4 may be marred by behavioral, pharmacologic, and pathologic issues acting as interfering factors. Despite a continuous search for an optimal T4 treatment, a significant number of patients fail to show a complete chemical and/or clinical response to this reference dose of T4. Gastrointestinal malabsorption of oral T4 represents an emerging cause of refractory hypothyroidism and may be more frequent than previously reputed. In this review, we examine the pharmacologic features of T4 preparations and their linkage with the intestinal absorption of the hormone. We have stressed the major biochemical and pharmacologic characteristics of T4 and its interaction with the putative transporter at the intestinal level. We have examined the interfering role of nutrients, foods, and drugs on T4 absorption at the gastric and intestinal levels. The impact of gastrointestinal disorders on T4 treatment efficacy has been also analyzed, in keeping with the site of action and the interfering mechanisms. Based on the evidence obtained from the literature, we also propose a schematic diagnostic workup for the most frequent and often hidden gastrointestinal diseases impairing T4 absorption.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1210/er.2018-00168

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251 of 251 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Gastrointestinal malabsorption of oral levothyroxine is an emerging cause of refractory hypothyroidism and, although rare, is likely to be more frequent than previously believed.

    “strointestinal malabsorption of oral levothyroxine is an emerging cause of refractory hypothyroidism and, although rare, is likely to be more frequent than previously believed.158”

    From Hypothyroidism (2024) · cites this paper as [158]

    The Concluding Remarks state that gastrointestinal malabsorption of oral thyroxine is more frequent than previously thought and may account for a significant fraction of refractory hypothyroidism. The paper also describes gastric-related malabsorption as increasingly recognized, but the passages do not establish the claim’s qualifier that it is rare. No page number is available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Levothyroxine absorption takes place primarily in the duodenum and jejunum of the small intestine.

    “Then, levothyroxine absorption takes place primarily in the duodenum and jejunum of the small intestine [1, 2].”

    From Levothyroxine Absorption Test With the Daily Levothyroxine Dose in Patients With “Refractory Hypothyroidism” (2025) · cites this paper as [1]

    In “How oral thyroxine is ingested,” the review says levothyroxine is absorbed throughout the small intestine, including the duodenum and upper jejunoileum. It also reports substantial absorption in the lower jejunoileum, so it does not establish that absorption occurs primarily in the duodenum and jejunum. The supplied passage has no page number. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • The use of calcium salts in the post-operative period in patients with transient or permanent hypocalcemia results in interference with LT4 absorption.

    “Furthermore, the use of calcium salts in the post-operative period in patients with transient or permanent hypocalcemia results in interference with LT4 absorption (13, 14).”

    From ETA guidelines for the use of levothyroxine sodium preparations in monotherapy to optimize the treatment of hypothyroidism (2025) · cites this paper as [14]

    The “Drugs interference at gastric level” section reports that calcium carbonate and other calcium preparations reduce T4 bioavailability or interfere with absorption. It does not establish this effect specifically in postoperative patients with transient or permanent hypocalcemia. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Antacids containing aluminum hydroxide or sucralfate may alternatively act by altering gastric acidity.

    “These latter, however, may alternatively act by altering gastric acidity (14).”

    From ETA guidelines for the use of levothyroxine sodium preparations in monotherapy to optimize the treatment of hypothyroidism (2025) · cites this paper as [14]

    The “Drugs interference” section (page unavailable) links aluminum hydroxide to an increase in gastric pH. It calls sucralfate an antacid but discusses its binding to thyroxine in an acidic medium, not its alteration of gastric acidity. Thus the proposed mechanism is supported for aluminum hydroxide, but not established for sucralfate in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.83)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Several different variations of thyroid pathophysiology have been described in the elderly, including reduced lean body mass, reduced T4 absorption and outer ring deiodination, comorbidities, and drug use.

    “Several different variations of thyroid pathophysiology have been described in the elderly (92, 93). Reduced lean body mass, reduced T4 absorption and outer ring deiodination as well as the presence of comorbidities and the use of drugs are among them (14, 42, 51).”

    From ETA guidelines for the use of levothyroxine sodium preparations in monotherapy to optimize the treatment of hypothyroidism (2025) · cites this paper as [14]

    In “How oral thyroxine is ingested” (page not provided), the paper describes reduced lean body mass in elderly people and reports that T4 tablet absorption may decline with age, while noting that the absorption finding has been questioned. It also discusses conditions and drugs that impair levothyroxine absorption, but does not describe reduced outer-ring deiodination in the elderly. The claim therefore combines supported points with an unsupported one and presents the absorption finding more firmly than the paper does. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. ADVANCE ARTICLE: Endocrine Reviews Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/edrv/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1210/er.2018-00168/5198605 by guest on 04 December 2018 · DOI
  2. Fernandez N, Lopez C, Díez R, Garcia JJ, Diez MJ, Sahagun A, Sierra M. Drug interactions with the dietary fiber Plantago ovata husk. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2012;8(11):1377-1386.
  3. ADVANCE ARTICLE: Endocrine Reviews Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/edrv/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1210/er.2018-00168/5198605 by guest on 04 December 2018 · DOI

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Authors
Virili, C., Antonelli, A., Santaguida, M. G., Benvenga, S., & Centanni, M.
Affiliations
  • Sapienza University of Rome (IT)
  • University of Pisa (IT)
  • University of Messina (IT)
Corresponding author
Centanni, Marco
Venue
Endocrine Reviews
Published
2018-11-23
Volume
40
Issue
1
Pages
118-136
ISSN
  • 0163-769X (ISSN-L)
  • 1945-7189
OpenAlex
W2901745461
Cited by
164
References
251
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 19
FWCI
2.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Endocrine Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • CINECA IRIS Institutial research information system (University of Pisa) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • IRIS Research product catalog (Sapienza University of Rome) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Thyroid Disorders and Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Drug Solubulity and Delivery Systems
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
Keywords
levothyroxine, gastrointestinal malabsorption, thyroid hormone absorption, refractory hypothyroidism, drug interactions, gastrointestinal diseases, diagnostic workup
MeSH terms
Drug Interactions, Pharmaceutical Preparations, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Humans, Hypothyroidism, Thyroxine, Gastrointestinal Absorption

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