Liothyronine
| Evidence Level: L5 | Predicted Indications: 10 |
Table of Contents
Liothyronine: From Hypothyroidism to Renal Hypodysplasia/Aplasia
One-Sentence Summary
Liothyronine (synthetic T3, the active thyroid hormone) is used to treat hypothyroidism and related thyroid conditions. The TxGNN model predicts it may be effective for renal hypodysplasia/aplasia, but this is a model prediction only, with no clinical trials and no relevant publications supporting it.
Quick Overview
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Original Indication | Hypothyroidism (the data compiled for this report contain no approved indication text; this is taken from the knowledge-graph indication list, which also includes myxoedema, congenital hypothyroidism, goitre and thyroid cancers) |
| Predicted New Indication | Renal hypodysplasia/aplasia |
| TxGNN Prediction Score | 99.95% |
| Evidence Level | L5 |
| UK Market Status | Marketed |
| Number of Marketing Authorisations | 3 |
| Recommended Decision | Hold |
Why is This Prediction Reasonable?
Detailed mechanism of action data is not available for this report. Based on known pharmacology, liothyronine is a thyroid hormone replacement that acts on thyroid hormone receptors. Its efficacy in hypothyroidism is established, and thyroid hormone contributes to normal growth and organ development in general.
The link to the predicted indication is weak. Renal hypodysplasia/aplasia is a congenital structural malformation of the kidneys. There is no evidence that postnatal liothyronine can reverse or prevent it. The high score (99.95%) most likely reflects shared associations within the knowledge graph (for example with Potter sequence and bilateral renal agenesis) rather than a therapeutic rationale.
The other top-ranked predictions show the same pattern. Bilateral renal agenesis, Potter sequence, Carney complex, myxoma, angiomyxoma, peripheral dysostosis and hypotrichosis simplex of the scalp have no trials or literature. Nodular goitre is already within the original indications, so it is not true repurposing. Acrodysostosis has 20 retrieved publications, but the ten shown concern hypothyroidism, depression augmentation and thyroid hormone resistance, not acrodysostosis, so they do not support that indication.
Clinical Trial Evidence
Currently no related clinical trials registered.
Literature Evidence
Currently no related literature available for the top predicted indication (renal hypodysplasia/aplasia).
UK Market Information
The data compiled for this report list three valid single-ingredient products. Dosage form and approved indication text were not available. The identifiers shown are the codes in the compiled data, not confirmed MHRA PL numbers.
| Identifier | Product Name | Dosage Form | Approved Indication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0602010Z0BBAAAE | Armour Thyroid Tab 15mg | Tablet (not specified in data) | Not available |
| 0602010Z0BDAAAB | Nature-Throid Tab 65mg (1 grain) | Tablet (not specified in data) | Not available |
| 0602010Z0AAAEAE | Levothyrox/Liothyronine Tab 9.5/2.25mcg | Tablet (not specified in data) | Not available |
Please check the MHRA product database and the BNF (thyroid hormones section) for current UK authorisation status and NICE guidance.
Safety Considerations
- Contraindications (knowledge-graph associations, not label text): hypertension; hypopituitarism and other pituitary hormone deficiencies; hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and Kallmann syndrome; osteoporosis and postmenopausal osteoporosis; diabetes mellitus and diabetic ketoacidosis; coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction; thymus gland disease.
- Drug Interactions: 311 interactions were recorded. The 20 shown are all of Moderate severity. They include antidiabetic agents (acarbose, metformin, pioglitazone, alogliptin, albiglutide, dulaglutide, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, linagliptin, chlorpropamide), proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, rabeprazole, dexlansoprazole), calcium and magnesium salts (calcium phosphate, calcium acetate, magnesium oxide), and sympathomimetics (epinephrine, isometheptene, diethylpropion).
- Considerations specific to this prediction: Carney complex includes cardiac myxomas, so exogenous thyroid hormone could carry cardiac risk there.
Please refer to the SmPC and BNF for full safety information. Report suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Decision: Hold
Rationale: The prediction is based on the model score alone. There are no trials, no relevant literature and no plausible mechanism for a thyroid hormone to correct a congenital structural kidney malformation.
To proceed, the following is needed:
- Mechanism of action data for liothyronine
- Evidence of a biological link between thyroid hormone signalling and the development of the predicted condition
- Preclinical or observational data in the predicted indication
- Label-based warnings and contraindications from the SmPC and BNF
- Approved indication text and dosage forms for the UK products
Disclaimer
This content is for research purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical validation is required before any clinical application.