Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41838451›Full record

SynthesisEndocrine connections2026

Additional treatment strategies for hypothyroidism: a network meta-analysis.

Xingang Lv, Wentao Qin, Jiarui Li, Likun Du

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Endocrine connections, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Xingang LvFirst Clinical Medical College, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
Wentao QinFirst Clinical Medical College, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Jiarui LiFirst Clinical Medical College, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
Likun DuFirst Clinical Medical College, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8378-1564

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Hypothyroidism often impairs quality of life (QoL). This network meta-analysis (NMA) evaluated the efficacy and safety of additional interventions alongside levothyroxine (LT4). Methods: This study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and is registered on PROSPERO (CRD420251085765). PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the treatment of hypothyroidism. A Bayesian NMA was performed, reporting standardized mean differences (SMDs) or risk ratios (RRs) with 95% credible intervals (CrIs). Evidence certainty was assessed using the CINeMA framework. Results: Thirty-five RCTs involving 3,508 patients were included. Compared with placebo, levothyroxine (LT4) + aerobic training (AT) + resistance training (RT) significantly reduced thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels (SMD = -3.97, 95% CrI: -5.76, -2.18, CINeMA: high certainty); LT4 + zinc (Zn) + magnesium (Mg) + vitamin A (VA) raised free thyroxine (FT4) (SMD = 1.95, 95% CrI: 1.37, 2.53, CINeMA: high certainty); and LT4 + Zn increased free triiodothyronine (FT3) (SMD = 1.46, 95% CrI: 0.40, 2.51, CINeMA: low certainty). In addition, LT4 + AT + RT significantly improved QoL score (SMD = 1.62, 95% CrI: 0.78, 2.46) and mental health score (MHS) (SMD = 2.1, 95% CrI: 1.19, 3.01, CINeMA: low certainty) compared with LT4 alone. LT4 + RT significantly improved physical function score (SMD = 1.59, 95% CrI: 0.76, 2.43). Liothyronine (LT3) increased adverse events versus placebo (RR = 15.54, 95% CrI: 2.68, 501.14, CINeMA: very low certainty). Conclusion: The combination of LT4, AT, and RT may be the preferred strategy for reducing TSH, enhancing QoL, and improving MHS. Clinical interventions should be tailored based on individual patient profiles.

Indexed as

combination therapyhypothyroidismnetwork meta-analysistreatment strategiesTSH

Identifiers

PMID41838451
PMCPMC13087882

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.