INTRAVENOUS LEVOTHYROXINE DURING HEMODIALYSIS IN A PATIENT WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM AND NON-ADHERENCE TO ORAL MEDICATIONS

We describe an unusual and challenging clinical scenario: a patient with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis with severely uncontrolled hypothyroidism and worsening psychosis, who refused both oral and intramuscular levothyroxine, but was successfully treated with intravenous (IV) levothyroxine given on hemodialysis days.

The patient was interviewed and examined on admission and during hospitalization. Thyroid function was assessed through thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), free T4, and triiodothyronine (T3) by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Thyroid function was measured on admission, before and after each hemodialysis session for 1 week, and monthly thereafter.

The patient was a 71-year-old female with schizoaffective disorder, end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis, and uncontrolled Hashimoto thyroiditis due to non-adherence to oral levothyroxine therapy. On admission her TSH was 172.6 mIU/mL, free T4 was 0.59 ng/dL, and total T3 was 52 ng/dL. She presented to the hospital from her nursing home after repeated refusal to go to hemodialysis sessions secondary to worsening psychosis. At the hospital, she agreed to undergo hemodialysis and receive IV medications, but refused oral and intramuscular levothyroxine. After initiation of IV levothyroxine therapy 3 times weekly during hemodialysis, the patient's thyroid function normalized within 19 weeks (TSH was 2.2 mIU/L, free T4 was 1.3 ng/dL, total T3 was 60 ng/dL). The achievement of the euthyroid status and adjustment of the patient's psychiatric medication regimen were followed by a resolution of the patient's psychosis.

This case report demonstrates an unusual approach to the successful control of hypothyroidism, namely administration of IV levothyroxine 3 times weekly during hemodialysis sessions when conventional routes of levothyroxine administration could not be used due to the patient's refusal.