Levothyroxine to increase live births in euthyroid women with thyroid antibodies trying to conceive: the TABLET RCT
Authors: Dhillon-Smith Rima K , Middleton Lee J , Sunner Kirandeep K , Cheed Versha , Baker Krys , Farrell-Carver Samantha , Bender-Atik Ruth , Agrawal Rina , Bhatia Kalsang , Edi-Osagie Edmond , Ghobara Tarek , Gupta Pratima , Jurkovic Davor , Khalaf Yacoub , MacLean Marjory , McCabe Chris , Mulbagal Khashia , Nunes Natalie , Overton Caroline , Quenby Siobhan , Rai Rajendra , Raine-Fenning Nick , Robinson Lynne , Ross Jackie , Sizer Andrew , Small Rachel , Tan Alex , Underwood Martyn , Kilby Mark D , Boelaert Kristien , Daniels Jane , Thangaratinam Shakila , Chan Shiao-Yng , Coomarasamy Arri 
Published: October 2019

Background

Thyroid autoantibodies, specifically thyroid peroxidase antibodies, have been associated with miscarriage and pre-term birth in women with a normal thyroid function. Small randomised controlled trials have found that treatment with levothyroxine may reduce such adverse outcomes in pregnancy.

Objectives

The Thyroid AntiBodies and LEvoThyroxine (TABLET) trial was conducted to explore the effects of levothyroxine in euthyroid women with thyroid peroxidase antibodies. A concurrent mechanistic study was conducted to examine the effect of levothyroxine on immune responses.

Design

This was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study.

Setting

The TABLET trial was conducted in 49 hospitals across the UK between 2011 and 2016.

Participants

Euthyroid women who tested positive for thyroid peroxidase antibodies, were aged between 16 and 41 years and were trying to conceive either naturally or through assisted conception were eligible.

Intervention

Participants were randomised to levothyroxine at a dose of 50 µg daily or placebo. The intervention was commenced preconception and continued until the end of a pregnancy. Women were given a 12-month period to conceive from randomisation.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was live birth at ≥ 34 completed weeks of gestation. The secondary outcomes included miscarriage at < 24 weeks; clinical pregnancy at 7 weeks; ongoing pregnancy at 12 weeks; gestation at delivery; birthweight; appearance, pulse, grimace, activity and respiration (Apgar) scores; congenital abnormalities; and neonatal survival at 28 days of life.

Methods

Participants were randomised in a 1 : 1 ratio. Minimisation was implemented for age (< 35 or ≥ 35 years), number of previous miscarriages (0, 1 or 2, ≥ 3), infertility treatment (yes/no) and baseline thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration (≤ 2.5 or > 2.5 mlU/l) to achieve balanced trial arms. Women were followed up every 3 months while trying to conceive to check thyroid function and general well-being, and, once pregnant, were seen each trimester: 6–8 weeks, 16–18 weeks and 28 weeks. Any abnormal thyroid results were managed in line with clinical guidance at the time.

Results

Of the 19,556 women screened, 1420 women were eligible and 952 were randomised to receive levothyroxine (n = 476) or placebo (n = 476). Six women from each arm either were lost to follow-up or withdrew from the trial. A total 540 women became pregnant: 266 in the levothyroxine arm and 274 in the placebo arm. The live birth rate was 37% (176/470) in the levothyroxine group and 38% (178/470) in the placebo group, translating to a relative risk of 0.97 (95% confidence interval 0.83 to 1.14; p = 0.74) and an absolute risk difference of –0.4% (95% confidence interval –6.6% to 5.8%). A subset of 49 trial participants (26 in the levothyroxine arm and 23 in the placebo arm) were recruited to assess changes in their serum chemocytokine concentrations. Treatment with levothyroxine resulted in some changes in chemocytokine concentrations in the non-pregnant state and in early pregnancy, but these had no association with clinical outcome.

Conclusions

Levothyroxine therapy in a dose of 50 µg per day does not improve live birth rate in euthyroid women with thyroid peroxidase antibodies.

Limitations

Titration of the levothyroxine dose based on thyroid-stimulating hormone/thyroid peroxidase concentrations was not explored.

Future work

Future research could explore the efficacy of levothyroxine administered for the treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN15948785 and EudraCT 2011-000719-19.

Funding

This project was funded by the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation programme, a Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research partnership.