title: [Subclinical hypothyroidism--a condition that must be treated?].
abstract: Subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as serum thyrotropin above the upper reference limit with normal estimates of free thyroxin in serum, has a prevalence in Denmark of 2%. Several investigations have shown that patients with subclinical hypothyroidism have subtle symptoms and signs of mild thyroid failure. Whether these patients require treatment or not is a controversial issue due to a lack of convincing evidence regarding the beneficial effects of hormone replacement, especially in patients with serum TSH <10 mU/L. However, when it comes to treatment of pregnant or fertile women planning pregnancy, no doubt prevails, as normal thyroid function is important for optimal pregnancy outcome.
authors.affiliation: Arhus Universitetshospital, Aalborg Sygehus, Medicinsk Endokrinologisk Afdeling. karmisholt@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Jesper Scott
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Karmisholt
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laurberg
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D013972:Thyrotropin