Subclinical Hypothyroidism

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is subclinical hypothyroidism?

• Subclinical hypothyroidism is a condition where the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood is slightly higher than normal. This hormone is produced by the brain, in the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. TSH controls how the thyroid gland works by telling it how much thyroid hormones to make. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ that is located in the front part of your neck. Thyroid hormones help control body functions such as heart rate, growth, and body temperature. The thyroid hormones also control how your body uses energy, and affect weight gain and loss.
  
  
• There are two forms of thyroid hormones in the blood, T3 and T4. When these hormones become low, the brain releases more TSH to tell the thyroid to make more hormones. If the thyroid hormone levels are too high, the brain slows down making TSH. With subclinical hypothyroidism, the TSH is slightly higher than normal while the thyroid hormone levels are normal.

What causes or increases my risk of having subclinical hypothyroidism?

• Autoimmune disease: The immune system is the part of your body that fights infection. A problem with the immune system may make your body attack even its own cells. The most common autoimmune disease that may cause this condition is Hashimoto disease.
  
  
• Family history: Having a family member with thyroid disease or autoimmune disease may increase your risk.
  
  
• Medicines: Taking medicines to treat hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone), or not having enough thyroid hormone medicines to treat hypothyroidism.
  
  
• Treatments: Radiation therapy used to treat cancers of the head and neck can cause problems with the thyroid gland. Surgery done to remove all or part of the thyroid gland make you more likely to develop this thyroid problem.
  
  
• Other diseases: These include having diabetes (high blood sugar) or conditions affecting the pituitary, hypothalamus, or thyroid gland.

What are the signs and symptoms of subclinical hypothyroidism? You may have no signs and symptoms, or you may have general symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism. These may include depression, weight gain, dry or flaky skin, body weakness, or feeling cold easily. You may have more signs and symptoms over time if your condition worsens.

How is subclinical hypothyroidism diagnosed? You may need any of the following:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. These tests tell your caregiver what the levels of TSH and thyroid hormones are in your blood. This information may also be used to see how well any treatments are working.
  
  
• Thyroid scan: This test shows caregivers how well your thyroid is working. Radioactive dye is put into your IV or is given to you to drink. The working part of the thyroid gland absorbs (soaks up) the dye. Two to 48 hours later, caregivers put a machine called a scintillator over your neck. The machine takes pictures showing the areas of your thyroid that absorbed the dye.
  
  
• Thyroid ultrasound: This is a test using sound waves to look at your thyroid gland. Pictures of your thyroid gland show up on a TV-like screen.

How is subclinical hypothyroidism treated? Treatment depends on the amounts of TSH and thyroid hormones in your body. Caregivers need to consider your health, age, and your signs and symptoms. Thyroid medicines may be given if your thyroid hormone levels become lower than normal. Other medicine may be given to control signs and symptoms that may be present. If another disease or condition is found, it will also be treated.

Where can I find more information?

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  PO Box 11210
  Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
  Phone: 1-913-906-6000
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• American Thyroid Association
  6066 Leesburg Pike, Suite 550
  Falls Church, VA 22041
  Phone: 1-703-998-8890
  Phone: 1-800-849-7643
  Web Address: www.thyroid.org
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Link to this page

Printable Version

Email Page