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Subclinical Hypothyroid Heart Disease

Subclinical hypothyroidism occurs when there is an imbalance in the production of thyrotropin-stimulating hormone (TSH). This is an early stage of hypothyroidism and can be treated by giving low dosages of levothyroxine daily to the ailing patients.

  1. Subclinical Hypothyroidism

    • While patients are being tested for a thyroid disease, physicians sometimes detect an increase in the production of a thyrotropin-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in a few patients whose free thyroxin (T4) levels are above normal. This state is known as "subclinical hypothyroidism," and is essentially a premature stage of hypothyroidism.

    Testing Hypothyroidism

    • Measuring serum TSH is considered the best testing method for a thyroid disease. An increased level in serum TSH indicates what is called hypothyroidism and a decreased value indicates hyperthyroidism.

    Causes

    • Subclinical hypothyroidism occurs as a result of other prevalent diseases in the body such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, lymphocytic thyroiditis (which occurs normally after hyperthyroidism), radioactive surgeries, pituitary or hypothalamic disease and iodine deficiency.

    Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

    • Symptoms include weakness and fatigue, dry and coarse skin and hair, muscle cramps, edema, hearing loss, menorrhagia and bradycardia.

    Treatment

    • Subclinical hypothyroidism can be controlled by taking low doses of levothyroxine (about 25 to 50 mg per day).

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