Subclinical hypothyroidism is usually referred to as the state where in the patient does not show the symptoms of hypothyroidism. These specific patients even have an average amount of circulating hormones of thyroid. The only deviation in these patients is the increased level of TSH in their blood. This means that the pituitary glands are working hard to preserve the circulation level of thyroid hormones normal and that the thyroid glands needs additional stimulation by the pituitary glands to create sufficient hormones. Most if these patients can be likely to develop the obvious hypothyroidism, particularly if the TSH level has increased above the normal level.
As there are some debates, most of the endocrinologists are the specialized personals that treat such patients, particularly if the patients have higher levels of blood cholesterol. With the replacement of thyroid hormone the unusual cholesterol levels are likely to improve. However, if the cholesterol levels are normal it is even sensible to follow these patients without any treatment and repeat the thyroid hormone and blood TSH levels in 4 to 6 months in order to be sure that hypothyroidism is clear. These two approaches are sensible and thus patients should be motivated to get some advice from their physicians about the specific preferences and concerns.
Causes of subclinical hypothyroidism
Subclinical hypothyroidism is usually caused by similar disorders of thyroid glands as those which cause obvious hypothyroidism. Chronic Autoimmune Thyroiditis is one of the main causes of subclinical hypothyroidism. It is usually associated with the enhanced titers of antithyroid antibodies like antithyroglobulin antibodies and antithyroid microsomal antibodies. This type of disorder is assumed when the enlargement of thyroids is observed however antithyroid antibodies may even be related with the atrophy of hypothyroidism and thyroid. Gravis disease treatment is another regular cause of hypothyroidism.
After the treatment of radioactive iodine one can expect to have the condition of thyroid failure. However, hypothyroidism usually occurs in five to twenty-five percent of patients who are treated with antithyroid drugs or surgery. Amiodarone and lithium are the two medications which are the less common causes of hypothyroidism. Pituitary failure is said to be the main cause of secondary hypothyroidism however as in this conditions the TSH levels are usually lower than normal. This particular condition cannot be diagnosed with certainty until the levels of thyroid hormones fall down below the normal.
Treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism
The treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism is same to that of the obvious hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine is said to be the main agent rather than the treatment which contains T3 or Tri-iodothyeonine as it has a just a short life and so it needs multiple doses daily in order to maintain the blood levels to be normal. However, Levothyroxine normally has just half life and is partly changed to Tri-iodothyeonine in the human body which results in continuous physiologic blood levels of both T3 and T4 with just one dose. A daily dosage of levothyroxine up to 25 to 50 nano has to be given to those patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. This first dosage must be maintained for at least 6 to 8 weeks before the measurement of TSH levels is repeated to direct the adjustments of levothyroxine dosage. The main objective is to maintain the levels of TSH to be normal, however the dosages must be increased if the levels of TSH remain normal and must be reduced if the levels or TSH go below normal.
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