Does Subclinical Hypothyroidism Add Any Symptoms? Evidence from a Danish Population-Based Study

AbstractBackground Few studies have scrutinized the spectrum of symptoms in subclinical hypothyroidism. Methods From 3 Danish Investigation on Iodine Intake and Thyroid Diseases (DanThyr) cross-sectional surveys performed period 1997 to 2005, a total 8903 subjects participated comprehensive investigation including blood samples questionnaires previous diseases, smoking habits, alcohol intake, education. we included patients with hypothyroidism (n = 376) euthyroid controls 7619). We explored what extent reported 13 previously identified hypothyroidism-associated (tiredness, dry skin, mood lability, constipation, palpitations, restlessness, shortness breath, wheezing, globus sensation, difficulty swallowing, hair loss, dizziness/vertigo, anterior neck pain). In various uni- multivariate regression models searched for circumstances predicting why some more complaints than others. Results Subclinically hypothyroid did not report higher score [(median, interquartile range), 2 (0-4) vs (0-4), P .25] compared controls. Within group patients, comorbidity had highest impact wheezing; all < .001); TSH level no symptom score; younger age was accompanied by mental burden .001; .012), whereas breath associated high body mass index (P .001) .007). Conclusion Patients thyroid function test suggesting do experience disease-related often subjects. hypothyroidism, clinicians should focus concomitant diseases rather expecting symptomatic relief following levothyroxine substitution.