Allan Carlé1, Jesper Scott Karmisholt2, Nils Knudsen3, Hans Perrild3, Bettina Heinsbæk Thuesen4, Lars Ovesen5, Lone Banke Rasmussen3, Inge Bülow Pedersen2. 1. Department of Endocrinology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Institute, Aalborg University, Denmark. Electronic address: carle@dadlnet.dk. 2. Department of Endocrinology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Institute, Aalborg University, Denmark. 3. Department of Endocrinology, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. 4. Centre for clinical research and prevention, Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark. 5. Department of Internal Medicine, Slagelse Hospital, Slagelse, Denmark.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Few studies have scrutinized the spectrum of symptoms in subclinical hypothyroidism. METHODS: From three DanThyr cross-sectional surveys performed in the period 1997 to 2005, a total of 8,903 subjects participated in a comprehensive investigation including blood samples and questionnaires on previous diseases, smoking habits, alcohol intake, and education. From the three surveys we included patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (n=376) and euthyroid controls (n=7,619). We explored to which extent patients with subclinical hypothyroidism reported 13 previously identified hypothyroidism-associated symptoms (tiredness, dry skin, mood lability, constipation, palpitations, restlessness, shortness of breath, wheezing, globuluss sensation, difficulty swallowing, hair loss, dizziness/vertigo, and anterior neck pain). In various uni- and multivariate regression models we searched for circumstances predicting why some patients have more complaints than others. RESULTS: Subclinically hypothyroid patients did not report higher hypothyroidism score ((median, IQR), 2 (0-4) vs. 2 (0-4), p=0.25) compared to euthyroid controls. Within the group of subclinical hypothyroid patients: co-morbidity had the highest impact on symptoms (tiredness, shortness of breath, wheezing; all p<0.001); TSH level had no impact on symptom score; low age was accompanied with higher mental burden (tiredness, p<0.001; mood lability, p<0.001; restlessness, p=0.012), whereas shortness of breath was associated with high BMI (p<0.001) and smoking (p=0.007). CONCLUSION: Patients with a thyroid function test suggesting subclinical hypothyroidism do not express thyroid disease related symptoms more often than euthyroid subjects. In subclinical hypothyroidism, clinicians should focus on concomitant diseases rather than expecting symptomatic relief following levo-thyroxine substitution.
BACKGROUND: Few studies have scrutinized the spectrum of symptoms in subclinical hypothyroidism. METHODS: From three DanThyr cross-sectional surveys performed in the period 1997 to 2005, a total of 8,903 subjects participated in a comprehensive investigation including blood samples and questionnaires on previous diseases, smoking habits, alcohol intake, and education. From the three surveys we included patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (n=376) and euthyroid controls (n=7,619). We explored to which extent patients with subclinical hypothyroidism reported 13 previously identified hypothyroidism-associated symptoms (tiredness, dry skin, mood lability, constipation, palpitations, restlessness, shortness of breath, wheezing, globuluss sensation, difficulty swallowing, hair loss, dizziness/vertigo, and anterior neck pain). In various uni- and multivariate regression models we searched for circumstances predicting why some patients have more complaints than others. RESULTS: Subclinically hypothyroidpatients did not report higher hypothyroidism score ((median, IQR), 2 (0-4) vs. 2 (0-4), p=0.25) compared to euthyroid controls. Within the group of subclinical hypothyroidpatients: co-morbidity had the highest impact on symptoms (tiredness, shortness of breath, wheezing; all p<0.001); TSH level had no impact on symptom score; low age was accompanied with higher mental burden (tiredness, p<0.001; mood lability, p<0.001; restlessness, p=0.012), whereas shortness of breath was associated with high BMI (p<0.001) and smoking (p=0.007). CONCLUSION:Patients with a thyroid function test suggesting subclinical hypothyroidism do not express thyroid disease related symptoms more often than euthyroid subjects. In subclinical hypothyroidism, clinicians should focus on concomitant diseases rather than expecting symptomatic relief following levo-thyroxine substitution.
Authors: Maria-Cristina Burlacu; Roberto Attanasio; Laszlo Hegedüs; Endre V Nagy; Enrico Papini; Petros Perros; Kiswendsida Sawadogo; Marie Bex; Bernard Corvilain; Chantal Daumerie; Brigitte Decallonne; Damien Gruson; Bruno Lapauw; Rodrigo Moreno Reyes; Patrick Petrossians; Kris Poppe; Annick Van den Bruel; David Unuane Journal: Thyroid Res Date: 2022-03-05