Juan J Díez1, Pedro Iglesias, Kenneth D Burman. 1. Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Carretera Colmenar km 9, 28034 Madrid, Spain. mibarsd@infomed.es
Abstract
CONTEXT: Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism may revert to normal TSH values. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the time course of the normalization of TSH levels in subclinical hypothyroidism. DESIGN: This was a prospective, observational study with no intervention, with a duration of follow-up of 12-72 months. SETTING: Outpatients visited an endocrinology clinic of a general hospital. PATIENTS: Forty patients (32 women, mean age 62.8 +/- 8.2 yr) with spontaneous subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH > 5 mU/liter and normal free T(4)) participated in the study. Each patient normalized their TSH values without T(4) therapy throughout the follow-up. MEASUREMENTS: TSH and free T(4) levels were evaluated every 6 months. RESULTS: Normalization occurred at a median time of 18 months (range, 6-60 months). Fifteen patients normalized their TSH levels during the first year of follow-up and 27 during the first 2 yr. Ten patients normalized their TSH values at the fourth or fifth year. Only four patients reverted to TSH values less than 2 mU/liter. Final TSH levels achieved by the patients were significantly correlated with the time elapsed until normalizing these levels (r = 0.367; P = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: There is no clear pattern of TSH normalization, although most patients normalize their TSH values early in the follow-up. The final TSH reached seems to be related to the time of normalization.
CONTEXT: Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism may revert to normal TSH values. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the time course of the normalization of TSH levels in subclinical hypothyroidism. DESIGN: This was a prospective, observational study with no intervention, with a duration of follow-up of 12-72 months. SETTING: Outpatients visited an endocrinology clinic of a general hospital. PATIENTS: Forty patients (32 women, mean age 62.8 +/- 8.2 yr) with spontaneous subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH > 5 mU/liter and normal free T(4)) participated in the study. Each patient normalized their TSH values without T(4) therapy throughout the follow-up. MEASUREMENTS: TSH and free T(4) levels were evaluated every 6 months. RESULTS: Normalization occurred at a median time of 18 months (range, 6-60 months). Fifteen patients normalized their TSH levels during the first year of follow-up and 27 during the first 2 yr. Ten patients normalized their TSH values at the fourth or fifth year. Only four patients reverted to TSH values less than 2 mU/liter. Final TSH levels achieved by the patients were significantly correlated with the time elapsed until normalizing these levels (r = 0.367; P = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: There is no clear pattern of TSH normalization, although most patients normalize their TSH values early in the follow-up. The final TSH reached seems to be related to the time of normalization.
Authors: Daisy M Wopereis; Robert S Du Puy; Diana van Heemst; John P Walsh; Alexandra Bremner; Stephan J L Bakker; Douglas C Bauer; Anne R Cappola; Graziano Ceresini; Jean Degryse; Robin P F Dullaart; Martin Feller; Luigi Ferrucci; Carmen Floriani; Oscar H Franco; Massimo Iacoviello; Georgio Iervasi; Misa Imaizumi; J Wouter Jukema; Kay-Tee Khaw; Robert N Luben; Sabrina Molinaro; Matthias Nauck; Kushang V Patel; Robin P Peeters; Bruce M Psaty; Salman Razvi; Roger K Schindhelm; Natasja M van Schoor; David J Stott; Bert Vaes; Mark P J Vanderpump; Henry Völzke; Rudi G J Westendorp; Nicolas Rodondi; Christa M Cobbaert; Jacobijn Gussekloo; Wendy P J den Elzen Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2018-10-01 Impact factor: 5.958
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Authors: T Arrigo; M Wasniewska; G Crisafulli; F Lombardo; M F Messina; I Rulli; G Salzano; M Valenzise; G Zirilli; F De Luca Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2008-01 Impact factor: 4.256