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Subclinical hypothyroidism is not associated with neuropsychologic abnormalities or symptoms of hypothyroidism
The background of the study. Subclinical hypothyroidism
(high serum thyrotropin [TSH] and normal free thyroxine [T4] concentrations)
indicates a small decrease in thyroid secretion, but whether it
results in any symptoms is uncertain. In this study, neuropsychologic
function, symptoms of hypothyroidism, and the effects of T4 therapy
were evaluated in subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism.
How the study was done. The study subjects were
89 subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism and 154 age- and sex-matched
subjects with normal serum TSH values. They were questioned about
cognitive function, emotional status, and hypothyroid symptoms.
Sixty-nine subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism were randomly
assigned to receive placebo or T4 for 12 months, after which they
were given the same tests.
The results of the study. There were no differences
between the subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism and the control
subjects in the results of the tests of cognitive function or emotional
status. The responses to the hypothyroid-symptom questionnaire also
were similar in the two groups.
In the treatment study, 36 subjects were given T4 and 33 placebo. There were no differences in the scores for the tests of cognitive function and emotional status or hypothyroid symptoms between the groups at base line, and there were no changes in the scores at the end of the 12-month treatment period in either group.
The conclusions of the study. Subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism have no abnormalities in cognitive function or emotional status or symptoms of hypothyroidism, and T4 treatment results in no changes in any of these characteristics.
The original article. Jorde R, Waterloo K, Storhaug H, Nyrnes A, Sundsfjord J, Jenssen TG. Neuropsychological function and symptoms in subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism and the effect of thyroxine treatment. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006;91:145-53.
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| Thyroid Digest Index | | | March 2006 Thyroid Digest |
