With the development of laboratory research made possible identification of the preclinical hypothyroidism (subclinical) level, that is, in cases where the patient has no signs of illness. This is very important because early treatment may prevent complications of hypothyroidism.
What is subclinical hypothyroidism and how to identify
Subclinical hypothyroidism - a form of thyroid dysfunction that has not manifested any symptoms of the disease. This form of the disease is detected a certain hormone levels. An indication of subclinical hypothyroidism is considered to increase the amount of blood in the pituitary thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH regulates the secretion of thyroid hormones, so at the slightest, seemingly inconspicuous reducing its function increases the amount of TSH). At the same time blood is found normal or slightly reduced amount of thyroid hormones.
Subclinical hypothyroidism is common in different areas in different ways, from 2 to 18% depending on age and gender. Most often it occurs in women, especially in the elderly. Observation of these patients for a number of years has shown that the symptoms of the disease appear almost half of them in about five years.
The causes of subclinical hypothyroidism are the same as usual, with clinical manifestations.
Basically it or destruction of thyroid tissue with a reduction of its functions, a violation of the synthesis of thyroid hormones
Thyroid hormones: mechanism of action and physiological effects
, The effect on the thyroid toxic substances including some pharmaceuticals.
Signs of subclinical hypothyroidism
Subclinical hypothyroidism theory suggests a complete lack of evidence of thyroid dysfunction. That less, with the possible detection of abnormalities in various kinds of metabolism, including the basal metabolism.
Due to the metabolic function may suffer some internal organs and systems. For example, in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism is often a decrease in the general background mood, until the Depression
Depression - a little more than a bad mood
, Anxiety
Anxiety - how to distinguish normal from disease?
, There are some slight signs of memory impairment, attention. All these signs are reduced to background replacement therapy with thyroid hormones.
This clear symptoms, which would speak about the decline of thyroid function, not detected. Complaints patients themselves are usually limited to increased weakness and fatigue.
However, not all so simple, today revealed that subclinical hypothyroidism suffer from fat metabolism, which can lead on the one hand to an increase in body weight, and on the other - to the development of atherosclerosis and its ischemic heart disease with angina and prospect myocardial infarction. The use of replacement therapy at this early stage of the disease sometimes led to the restoration of metabolic processes and reduce angina attacks.
Thyroid hormones exert multiple effects on the circulatory organs. Under their influence, change indicators such as heart rate, myocardial contractility, blood flow, blood pressure, peripheral vascular resistance. Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism are marked the same change of the heart, as well as the presence of clinical signs, such as signs of thickening (hypertrophy) of the heart muscle in the left ventricle, which indicates the hard work of the heart.
Especially important to identify subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy, it allows time to appoint a pregnant woman replacement therapy and to avoid violations of the fetus.
Subclinical hypothyroidism may be transient, that is transitory. Such a reduction in thyroid function can occur in various forms of thyroiditis, and then, after some time, thyroid function can be restored. Transient hypothyroidism can occur after thyroid surgery
The thyroid gland - is responsible for your hormones
, Medication, oppressing its function, drugs, lithium, potassium perchlorate. In order to identify how to change the function of the thyroid gland, blood tests should be repeated after six months on hormones.
Treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism
The attitude to the treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism in endocrinologists ambiguous: some recommend, in this case replacement therapy and some do not. In most cases, the decision to treat is taken individually. An exception is the detection of subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy, in which case the treatment is given is necessary. If, however, this treatment is prescribed, it should be under the control of the laboratory studies.
Subclinical hypothyroidism is not yet fully understood, however, identify him is of practical importance.
Galina Romanenko