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Subclinical Hyperthyroidism

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The Thyroid and Its Diseases

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Abstract

It is well known that minor elevations in serum thyroid hormone levels, even within the normal range, can have important effects on peripheral tissues. In subclinical hyperthyroidism, a suppressed thyrotropin (TSH) level due to an enhanced negative feedback at the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis is the clue to this mild excess of thyroid hormones.

Adverse clinical endpoints related to subclinical hyperthyroidism include lower bone mineral density, increased risk of fractures, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and cardiovascular mortality as reported in large population studies and meta-analysis. Risk is in general higher for elderly people and TSH levels lower than 0.1 mIU/L. Postmenopausal women and elderly individuals are particularly exposed to the detrimental effects of subclinical hyperthyroidism and are two settings in which aggressive case finding is worthwhile.

TSH is the initial test followed by a determination of thyroid hormones to assure the diagnosis. Although the etiology of subclinical hyperthyroidism is the same as in overt hyperthyroidism, it is always important to discard first other causes of low TSH values or an exogenous source of levothyroxine. Furthermore, a transient form of subclinical hyperthyroidism has to be distinguished from a permanent one.

Once the diagnosis of permanent subclinical hyperthyroidism is done, a clinical decision on treatment has to be taken. Despite the lack of large control trials in the field, treatment is recommended in patients with a higher degree of TSH suppression and older age or exposed to cardiovascular and bone fracture risk.

Treatment options include antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine therapy, and thyroid surgery. The decision among these options will depend on the individual case and the consensus between the endocrinologist and the affected patient.

In this chapter we shall be discussing the diagnosis, clinical consequences, and treatment modalities of patients with endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Thyroid Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Unidad Asistencial Dr. César Milstein, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Gabriela Brenta

  2. Thyroid Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculdade Estadual de Medicina de Marilia, Marilia, Brazil

    José Sgarbi

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  1. Gabriela Brenta
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  2. José Sgarbi
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany

    Markus Luster

  2. Unit of Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism, Evgenidion Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Leonidas H. Duntas

  3. Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA

    Leonard Wartofsky

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Brenta, G., Sgarbi, J. (2019). Subclinical Hyperthyroidism. In: Luster, M., Duntas, L., Wartofsky, L. (eds) The Thyroid and Its Diseases. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72102-6_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72102-6_24

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