Let's Talk: Subclinical Hypothyroidism

About 10% of adults are treated for subclinical hypothyroidism, which is to say that symptoms are nonspecific or maybe absent entirely, and laboratory results do not meet diagnostic criteria and about 60% of those actively prescribed thyroid hormone therapy meet criteria for subclinical hypothyroidism. Once thyroid hormone replacement is started though, nine of ten people will continue thyroid hormones indefinitely. The benefit of thyroid hormones when one has overt hypothyroidism is clear, but what benefit or risk is there when maybe you have subclinical hypothyroidism or no abnormality whatsoever in your thyroid labs? Let's talk.