Levothyroxine for heart transplant recipients

Levothyroxine Supplementation for Heart Transplant Recipients: A Randomized Control Trial

Phase 1 Interventional University of California, San Francisco · NCT06428097

This study is testing if taking levothyroxine can help heart transplant recipients live longer compared to those who receive a placebo.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment97 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco Academic / other
Locations1 site (San Francisco, California)
Trial IDNCT06428097 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the survival benefits of levothyroxine supplementation in heart transplant recipients compared to a placebo. Conducted at the University of California, San Francisco, it is a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized study. Participants will be assigned to receive either levothyroxine or normal saline, with the aim of determining if levothyroxine improves post-operative survival rates. The study is motivated by previous findings that suggest thyroid hormone may enhance organ transplant outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who are listed for heart transplantation and can provide informed consent.

Not a fit: Patients with pre-existing thyroid conditions or those who are allergic to levothyroxine may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve survival rates for heart transplant recipients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous retrospective studies have shown promising results, but this is the first randomized trial to test this hypothesis.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Participants must be listed for heart transplantation
2. Age ≥18 years
3. Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with pre-existing thyroid related condition including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and malignancy
2. Patients with a known allergy or intolerance to levothyroxine
3. Patients participating in another study evaluating an investigational drug within the past 30 days.

Where this trial is running

San Francisco, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Heart Transplant FailureHeart Transplant Infection
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.