Fatigue in treated hypothyroidism is very common, with 89% of respondents fulfilling criteria for abnormal fatigue, and FACIT-F scores comparable or worse than those recorded for many other chronic conditions.
Key Findings
Results
The vast majority of treated hypothyroidism patients surveyed met criteria for abnormal fatigue.
89% of respondents fulfilled criteria for abnormal fatigue on the FACIT-F scale.
The mean fatigue score on the FACIT-F scale was 20.5 (SD: 10.5).
Total survey responses were 1,334, of which 1,251 were complete, unique, and from patients with primary hypothyroidism/Hashimoto thyroiditis taking thyroid hormone replacements.
98% of respondents were women and the mean duration of treatment was 10.8 years (SD: 9.74).
Results
FACIT-F fatigue scores in treated hypothyroidism were comparable or worse than those recorded for many other chronic conditions.
Mean FACIT-F score was 20.5 (SD: 10.5) in this cohort.
The authors state scores are 'comparable or worse than those recorded for many other chronic conditions.'
The FACIT-F scale was distributed via two UK patient support organisations: the British Thyroid Foundation (BTF) and The Thyroid Trust (TTT).
Results
Fatigue scores were not significantly different across demographic or treatment subgroups.
Fatigue scores were not significantly different between respondents of different ages, gender, treatment type, or treatment duration.
This suggests fatigue is pervasive across the treated hypothyroid population regardless of how or how long they are treated.
Results
FACIT-F fatigue scores were positively correlated with self-declared overall health state.
Pearson r = 0.576, P < 0.001 for the correlation between FACIT-F scores and self-declared overall health state.
This indicates that worse fatigue was associated with worse self-reported overall health.
Methods
The survey population was predominantly female with a long average duration of thyroid hormone treatment.
98% of respondents were women.
Mean duration of treatment was 10.8 years (SD: 9.74).
1,251 responses were complete, unique, and from patients with primary hypothyroidism/Hashimoto thyroiditis taking thyroid hormone replacements.
The survey was distributed online by two UK patient support organisations.
Grixti L, Fisher H, Priestley J, McMullan C, Woollven A, Perros P, et al.. (2025). Prevalence and severity of fatigue in treated hypothyroidism: results of a UK survey.. European thyroid journal. https://doi.org/10.1530/ETJ-25-0044