title: Subclinical hypothyroidism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mild or subclinical hypothyroidism is characterized by normal serum free thyroxine concentrations with elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations. Subclinical hypothyroidism is relatively prevalent in the general population, especially among women and the elderly. The main cause of subclinical hypothyroidism is autoimmune chronic thyroiditis. The present report reviews the most important and recent studies on subclinical hypothyroidism, and discusses the most controversial aspects of this topic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several studies have demonstrated that subclinical hypothyroidism may affect both diastolic and systolic cardiac function. It may also worsen many risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, abnormal endothelial function, and elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Furthermore, a growing body of evidence suggests that subclinical hypothyroidism may cause symptoms or progress to symptomatic overt hypothyroidism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prompt treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnant women is mandatory to decrease risks for pregnancy complications and impaired cognitive development in offspring. Children with subclinical hypothyroidism should be treated to prevent growth retardation. Whether nonpregnant adult patients with subclinical hypothyroidism should be treated, and at what thyroid-stimulating hormone values, is debatable.
authors.forename: Giampaolo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Papi
authors.forename: Ettore Degli
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Uberti
authors.forename: Corrado
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Betterle
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carani
authors.forename: Elizabeth N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.forename: Lewis E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Braverman
authors.forename: Elio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roti
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors