Hemodialysis clinical trials at University of California Health

Hypothyroidism, defined by elevated thyrotropin (TSH) levels, is a common endocrine complication in chronic kidney disease patients, and prior evidence shows that higher TSH levels, even within the normal laboratory range, are strongly associated with impaired quality of life and cardiovascular disease in this population. Levothyroxine is one of the most frequently prescribed medications in chronic kidney disease, yet its efficacy and safety in these patients have not been well-studied. Hence, this study will investigate 1) whether levothyroxine improves patient-centered (e.g., health-related quality of life, physical performance, strength) and 2) cardiovascular (e.g., coronary artery calcification, endothelial function, systolic function) outcomes in dialysis patients, and 3) if thyroid hormone replacement exerts classic metabolic effects (i.e., changes in body fat and resting energy expenditure) in this population.

This is a pilot study enrolling adult hemodialysis patients with diabetes recruited from the University of California Irvine Medical Center (UCIMC) who will undergo simultaneous measurement of glucose levels using 1) continuous glucose monitor (CGM) measured by a Dexcom G6 device vs. 2) "gold-standard" blood glucose levels using capillary fingerstick or venous blood glucose measurements obtained on a point of care (POC) blood glucose meter. The study will assess Dexcom G6 accuracy by comparing glucose levels on the CGM device vs. blood glucose measurements in the study population.