SUB CLINICAL HVPOTHYROIDISM

SHOULD IT BE TREATED?

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate benefits of treatment in cases of sub clinical hypothyroidism. Setting & Duration:
Mayo Hospital Lahore from May 2001 to May 2002. Method: Twenty patients with abnormal thyroid
function test when T3, T4 were normal and TSH was raised were selected. Ten patients were put on
thyroxine treatment and ten patients were given the placebo treatment. The patients were followed up at
1,2,3,6,9,12 months period. Results: The patients on thyroxine treatment improved clinically. Laboratory
parameters also showed improvement. Conclusions: The patients got better on small doses of thyroxine otherwise they
will progress to overt hypothyroidism.