[Subclinical Hyperthyroidism--What is Expected of the General Physician?]

Subclinical hypothyroidism is usually diagnosed during a routine examination. The results of recent studies reveal it to be a significant disease that is associated with a negative impact on myocardial function, an increased incidence of atrial fibrillation in the elderly patient, a loss of bony substance in post-menopausal women, and, possibly, an increased incidence of dementia in the elderly. Associated with this pathology is also a significant increase in the 10-year mortality rate. All this points to an urgent need to determine the underlying cause of sub-clinical hypothyroidism and to treat the condition in thesame way as manifest hyperthyroidism.