Could a tiny dose of thyroid hormone heal fatty liver disease?

NCT ID NCT05526144

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a low dose of the thyroid hormone Synthroid can help treat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a serious liver condition common in Veterans. About 128 overweight or obese Veterans with NASH will take either Synthroid or a placebo daily for one year. The goal is to see if the hormone improves liver fat breakdown and reduces liver damage and scarring.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Synthroid (levothyroxine, a thyroid hormone)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could provide a new, well-tolerated treatment option for NASH, potentially slowing or reversing liver damage in Veterans.
What could go wrong: This is an early phase 2 trial with only 128 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The treatment may not improve liver health, and there are risks from thyroid hormone dosing, though doses are low and monitored.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cirrhosis of liver fibrotic liver disease metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

LIVER FIBROSIS NONALCOHOLIC STEATOHEPATITIS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Harry S. Truman Memorial, Columbia, MO
RECRUITING

Columbia, Missouri, 65201-5275, United States

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