Background: In this study we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Pycnogenol® supplementation in controlling oxidative stress levels and in reducing the frequency and severity of side effects of levothyroxine (LT4) treatment in patients who had recently started this therapy.
Methods: The registry included 60 females affected by primary hypothyroidism with multi-nodular goiter. LT4 was administered at the dosage of 100 μg/day.The registry study included only subjects under initial treatment, and followed up for a period of at least 30 days. A group took 150 mg Pycnogenol® daily and another served as control.
Results: The global occurrence of symptoms during the 30-day period was significantly lower with the supplement (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Pycnogenol® may represent a useful tool to reduce LT4- related side effects in patients treated with hormone replacement therapy for hypothyroidism.