Transient high thyroid stimulating hormone and hypothyroidism incidence during follow up of subclinical hypothyroidism

Abstract

Objectives. Given the high prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), defined as high thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and normal free thyroxine (FT4), and uncertainty on treatment, one of the major challenges in clinical practice is whether to initiate the treatment for SCH or to keep the patients under surveillance. There is no published study that has identified predictors of short-term changes in thyroid status amongst patients with mild elevation of TSH (4.5–10 mIU/L).

Keywords

• subclinical
• hypothyroidism
• transient
• predictors
• euthyroid
• cohort