Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis under levothyroxine treatment and cognitive function: a case study.

Abstract

Objective: Although overt hypothyroidism has documented detrimental effects on cognition and behavior, it remains controversial whether subclinical hypothyroidism or euthyroid patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) under levothyroxine (LT4) treatment may experience any noticeable decline in cognitive function. Patients: Two otherwise healthy, highly-functioning, first-degree relatives with a recent diagnosis of HT under LT4 treatment were prospectively recruited in a clinical research study setting and followed for a year. Measurements: Thyroid functions tests and a detailed battery of tests assessing global cognitive status, attention, verbal and working memory, visuoperceptual skills, executive functions and mood were performed at baseline and at one year after recruitment. Results: Overall, patients’ performance on the neuropsychological battery was good and in the majority of cognitive functions, their performance could be characterized as exceptional. No noticeable changes in any of the studied parameters were detected. Conclusions: The present case study failed to detect any noticeable changes in the cognitive function of two women with HT under LT4 treatment. The course of cognitive function of the two HT, evaluated by a detailed battery of tests, rather confirms the benign nature of HT.