Effect of Levocarnitine Supplementation for the Management of Fatigue in Levothyroxine-Treated Hypothyroid Patients
Effect of Levocarnitine Supplementation for the Management of Fatigue in Levothyroxine-Treated Hypothyroid Patients
It has been observed that despite administration of apparently adequate thyroid hormone
 replacement in hypothyroid patients, many of them experience persistent fatigue and
 fatigue-related symptoms. Carnitine transports long chain fatty acids into the mitochondria
 whereupon the high energy source (ATP) becomes synthesized. Levocarnitine administration
 reduced fatigue related symptoms in hypothyroid patients receiving thyroid hormone
 replacement. The present study deals with alleviation of fatigue in hypothyroid patients by
 carnitine supplementation.
It has been well-established now-a-days that, some chronic diseases impose generalized
 weakness, lethargy, lassitude amounting from degrees mild, moderate to a severe one to total
 incapacitation on the part of the patients. Hypothyroid patients instate of receiving
 adequate thyroid hormone replacement, experience fatigue-related symptoms. Carnitine is a
 non-essential amino acid synthesized endogenously from essential amino acids- lysine and
 methionine with in the body involved in long chain fatty acid transportation to the
 mitochondrial membrane. Carnitine- transportation system is essential for production of
 energy at cellular level. Thyroid hormone plays an important role in carnitine-dependent long
 chain fatty acid transport and oxidation. Some available reports suggest that, Levocarnitine
 supplementation produced potentially favourable effects on fatigue-related symptoms in
 hypothyroid patients although still awaits confirmation. The present study is an attempt to
 investigate into the effects of Levocarnitine supplementation on fatigue in patients with
 hypothyroidism.
Inclusion Criteria:

 i. Clinical diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism patients with fatigue symptoms ii. Age :
 From 20 to 50 years iii. Levothyroxine treatment: receiving for at least 6 months iv. Serum
 free thyroxine level: 0.80-1.80 ng/dl v. Serum Thyroid-stimulating hormone level: 0.35-5.50
 µIU/ml ( µIU = micro international unit)

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 Exclusion Criteria:

 i. Patients with Hypothyroidism 20 years and 50 years ii. Acute or chronic liver diseases
 iii. Anaemia iv. Clinical diagnosis of Diabetes mellitus. v. Cardiovascular disease ( such
 as heart failure, arrhythmia and uncontrolled hypertension ) vi. Patients with
 psychological disorders (such as depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism or
 fatigue disorder due to other systemic diseases) vii. Patients having serious infections or
 terminal illness (such as tuberculosis, HIV or malignant tumor ) viii. Autoimmune diseases
 ( such as rheumatoid arthritis, Systemic lupus erythematosus or multiple sclerosis) ix.
 Patients with impaired renal function x. Pregnant or planned to be pregnant xi. Nursing
 mothers

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