EFFECTIVE COMPLEX OF PLANT EXTRACTS IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM

Abstract

To date, no multicenter randomized studies have been conducted to confirm the benefits of prescribing levothyroxine to patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). Therefore, levothyroxine is typically prescribed based on the belief that hormone replacement therapy, first, reduces the risk of adverse cardiovascular events and, second, prevents the progression of SCH to overt hypothyroidism. Since there are no clear guidelines for treating this intermediate condition, the scientific literature increasingly features analyses of various plant-based remedies to support such patients. Based on this, a pilot study was designed using the Ukrainian dietary supplement “ThyroComplex” (produced by Medico Global LLC), which contains extracts of Potentilla alba, Rhodiola rosea, and Feijoa, along with small amounts of vitamins B1, B2, and B6.

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of “ThyroComplex” in patients aged 18 to 65 with subclinical hypothyroidism in an open-label pilot study lasting three months.

Materials and Methods. The study included 27 patients with SCH (16 women and 11 men), with a mean age of 42 ± 8 years. Over the course of three months, all patients received “ThyroComplex” at a dose of one capsule twice daily after meals, with water. The following parameters were measured: serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), thyroglobulin (Tg), anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (anti-Tg), and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO). Thyroid panel hormone levels were determined using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) on the Cobas Pro analyzer (e801 module) with kits from Roche Diagnostics (Switzerland). Subjective data (well-being, sleep, appetite, work capacity, etc.) were recorded using the questionnaire «Well-being. Activity. Mood». Statistical analysis of the study results was performed using parametric statistical methods using Microsoft Excel and STATISTICA 6.0 software from Statsoft (USA).

Results. After three months of treatment with “ThyroComplex,” the following trends were observed: A non-significant but notable decrease in TSH levels from 4.76 ± 0.41 to 3.23 ± 0.36 µIU/mL (p<0.1); A significant increase in fT3 from 2.65 ± 0.12 to 3.32 ± 0.13 pg/mL (p<0.05); A substantial increase in fT4 from 0.89 ± 0.04 to 1.10 ± 0.03 ng/dL (p<0.05); A significant reduction in anti-TPO antibodies from 223.80 ± 18.2 to 125.16 ± 15.4 IU/mL (p<0.05); No significant changes were noted in Tg or anti-Tg levels (p>0.1). Regarding subjective assessments, there was a trend toward improvement (p<0.1) in well-being (from 3.2 ± 0.15 to 3.8 ± 0.16) and activity (from 3.6 ± 0.12 to 4.1 ± 0.14). A significant improvement in mood was observed — from 3.9 ± 0.25 to 5.3 ± 0.34 (p<0.05), reaching the normal range of 5.0–5.5 according to the scale «Well-being. Activity. Mood».

Conclusions. A three-month course of using the dietary supplement “ThyroComplex” in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism contributed to a noticeable normalization of thyroid panel indicators. Namely, there was a tendency to reduce the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, a significant increase in the level of free thyroxine and triiodothyronine, a decrease in the anti-TPO antibody levels. Biochemical changes were accompanied by a tendency to improve in the categories of well-being, activity, and a probable improvement in the mood category according to the questionnaire «Well-being. Activity. Mood». The results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of the dietary supplement “ThyroComplex” in people with thyroid dysfunction and the prospects for its preventive and therapeutic use.