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A Lifestyle (Dietary) Intervention Reduces Tiredness in Children with Subclinical Hypothyroidism, a Randomized Controlled Trial

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  • Ellen van der Gaag

    (Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Group Twente, 7609 PP Almelo, The Netherlands
    Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS), University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands)

  • Job van der Palen

    (Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS), University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands)

  • Pim Schaap

    (Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Group Twente, 7609 PP Almelo, The Netherlands)

  • Mirthe van Voorthuizen

    (Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Group Twente, 7609 PP Almelo, The Netherlands)

  • Thalia Hummel

    (Department of Pediatrics, Medical Centre Twente, 7512 KZ Enschede, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Purpose : Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) in children and adults is a subject for discussion in terms of whether to treat it or not with respect to the short-term clinical implications and consequences of SH and in the long term. If treatment with thyroxine supplementation is not indicated, no other treatment is available. We investigated whether a lifestyle (dietary) intervention improves or normalizes SH or decreases the presence of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and/or tiredness. Methods : We randomized children aged 1–12 years with SH to the control group (standard care = no treatment) or intervention group (dietary intervention). The dietary intervention consisted of green vegetables, beef, whole milk and butter for 6 months. The rest of the diet remained unchanged. We measured TSH, FreeT4, Lipid profile, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Pediatric Quality of Life (PedQL) multidimensional fatigue scale scores. Results : In total, 62 children were included. After 6 months, TSH decreased in both groups without a significant difference between the groups ( p = 0.98). PedQL fatigue scores for sleep ( p = 0.032) and total fatigue scores ( p = 0.039) improved significantly in the intervention group, compared to the control group. No unfavorable effects occurred in the lipid profile or BMI. Conclusion : The lifestyle (dietary) intervention did not normalize SH and TSH levels, but it significantly reduced tiredness. These results suggest that children’s well-being can be improved without medication.

Suggested Citation

  • Ellen van der Gaag & Job van der Palen & Pim Schaap & Mirthe van Voorthuizen & Thalia Hummel, 2020. "A Lifestyle (Dietary) Intervention Reduces Tiredness in Children with Subclinical Hypothyroidism, a Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:10:p:3689-:d:362178
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    Cited by:

    1. Aristides I. Ferreira & Amalia R. Pérez-Nebra & Eva Ellen Costa & Maria Luisa A. Aguiar & Adriane Zambonato & Carla G. Costa & João G. Modesto & Paula da Costa Ferreira, 2021. "Presenteeism and Productivity: The Role of Biomarkers and Hormones," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-10, May.

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