Review for 10.1186/s12876-016-0439-y (2016)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Reversible normalisation of serum TSH levels in patients with autoimmune atrophic 
gastritis who received L -T4 in tablet form after switching  to an oral liquid formulation: a case 
series.  
 
 
Version: 0 Date: 16 Nov 2015  
 
 
Reviewer: Anushka Baruah  
 
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
While there may potentially be a relationship between liquid formulation of thyroxine and better 
absorption with resultant clinical response in patients with atrophic gastritis, a longe r follow up 
time in terms of response to therapy with both tablet and liquid thyroxine in these patients would 
have helped strengthen your case report's conclusions. Additionally, the table does not specify 
how soon after switching back to oral formulation  of thyroxine did the patients demonstrate an 
increase in TSH levels again. In order to show a significant difference in successful treatment 
between the two forms of thyroxine in this subset of patients, it is pertinent to clarify how soon 
after making th e switch back to thyroxine tablets did the patients re -demonstrate worsening TSH 
levels.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supporte d by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an  
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please spe cify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
Not relevant to this manuscript  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please comp lete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from 
an organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of t his 
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose  
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently apply ing for any patents relating to the content of the  
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds  or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other fina ncial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
 
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests.  
 
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