María Álvarez Casaño1, Juan Pedro López Siguero2. 1. Residencia de Pediatría, Hospital Materno Infantil de Málaga, Málaga, España. Electronic address: mariaac22@hotmail.com. 2. FEA Hospital Materno Infantil de Málaga, Málaga, España.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as elevation of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, with normal thyroid hormone levels and negative autoimmunity, in asymptomatic patients with no findings on examination. Because of the unwarranted increase in thyroid function tests in asymptomatic children, the main objective of this review was to analyze the course of these patients. Analysis of associated costs was a secondary objective. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A longitudinal, observational, retrospective study of patients referred to the endocrinology department of a tertiary hospital for high TSH levels (TSH 5-20mIU/L). Clinical and laboratory variables, number of visits until discharge, need for treatment, monitoring time, and economic variables were collected. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 155 patients with a mean age of 7.8years ±3.6SD. Referrals to endocrinology accounted for 4% of first office visits. Baseline mean TSH level was 7.8mU/L (5.03-15.8mU/L). TSH levels normalized after the first repeated measurement during the subsequent month in 60% of cases. A total of 83.6% of patients were discharged within a maximum of 3years, with a mean follow-up of 8.14 ±6.8months and 2.4visits/patient. Average cost per patient was €251.27 (range €143.49-444.21). CONCLUSION: It is essential not to alarm the family when subclinical hypothyroidism is detected, because this is a biochemical situation which normalizes in most cases. This fact, together with the mean cost of specialized care, suggests that the first step should be repeated TSH measurements in primary care.
INTRODUCTION: Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as elevation of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, with normal thyroid hormone levels and negative autoimmunity, in asymptomatic patients with no findings on examination. Because of the unwarranted increase in thyroid function tests in asymptomatic children, the main objective of this review was to analyze the course of these patients. Analysis of associated costs was a secondary objective. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A longitudinal, observational, retrospective study of patients referred to the endocrinology department of a tertiary hospital for high TSH levels (TSH 5-20mIU/L). Clinical and laboratory variables, number of visits until discharge, need for treatment, monitoring time, and economic variables were collected. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 155 patients with a mean age of 7.8years ±3.6SD. Referrals to endocrinology accounted for 4% of first office visits. Baseline mean TSH level was 7.8mU/L (5.03-15.8mU/L). TSH levels normalized after the first repeated measurement during the subsequent month in 60% of cases. A total of 83.6% of patients were discharged within a maximum of 3years, with a mean follow-up of 8.14 ±6.8months and 2.4visits/patient. Average cost per patient was €251.27 (range €143.49-444.21). CONCLUSION: It is essential not to alarm the family when subclinical hypothyroidism is detected, because this is a biochemical situation which normalizes in most cases. This fact, together with the mean cost of specialized care, suggests that the first step should be repeated TSH measurements in primary care.