Renal dysfunction manifesting in subclinical hypothyroidism-a possible role for thyroxine

Renal dysfunction, both acute and chronic, is a recognized association of overt hypothyroidism. We describe a patient who developed renal dysfunction at the stage of subclinical hypothyroidism. We emphasize that renal dysfunction is a reflection of tissue hypothyroidism, dissociated with the severity of biochemical hypothyroidism and can manifest in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. This report also makes a case for thyroxine therapy if an alternative cause of renal dysfunction is not found in a patient with subclinical hypothyroidism.