Levothyroxine is a very commonly prescribed medication, particularly in older adults aged 50-70 years of age. Use has also increased over the past two decades, possibly due to more active management of subclinical hypothyroidism. Some evidence suggests that subclinical hypothyroidism is often transient, with little benefit from ongoing treatment. The authors of this study investigated a stepwise reduction in levothyroxine dosing with monitoring of TSH (thyrotropin) in a population of older adults on stable levothyroxine dose and a TSH < 10mIU/L. Approximately a quarter of the participants were able to discontinue levothyroxine whilst maintaining normal thyroid function.

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