Treatment of hypothyroidism in The Netherlands. Results of a survey of Dutch internists.

The results of a survey on the treatment of hypothyroidism by Dutch internists, working in different types of hospitals, are described. Except in cases of cardiac complications or long-standing disease at old age most patients were treated in the out-patient clinic. About 50% of the internists chose 25 micrograms of levothyroxine as the initial dose for uncomplicated hypothyroidism. A lower dose (12.5 micrograms) was chosen by one-third of the internists working in teaching hospitals and general hospitals, while 36% of the internists working in university hospitals start with 50 micrograms of levothyroxine. For all variants of the basic case of uncomplicated hypothyroidism the dose was even lower. Adjustment of the dose was usually made at fixed intervals combined with measurement of plasma thyroid hormone levels and clinical parameters. The final substitution dose was generally based on the TSH levels. Anticoagulant drugs were seldom used except in cases of cardiac complications.