Metformin and low levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Small cross-sectional studies have suggested that metformin, a first-line oral hypoglycemic agent, may lower thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Our objective was to determine whether the use of metformin monotherapy, when compared with sulfonylurea monotherapy, is associated with an increased risk of low TSH levels (<0.4 mIU/L) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

Using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, we identified patients who began receiving metformin or sulfonylurea monotherapy between Jan. 1, 1988, and Dec. 31, 2012. We assembled 2 subcohorts of patients with treated hypothyroidism or euthyroidism, and followed them until Mar. 31, 2013. We used Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the association of low TSH levels with metf

SUBMITTER: Fournier JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4203599 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature