Subclinical hyperthyroidism is a modification of the thyroid in which the person shows no signs or symptoms of hyperthyroidism, but has changes in tests that evaluate thyroid function, and the need for treatment needs needs to be investigated and verified.
Thus, as it does not result in the onset of symptoms, identification of the change is only possible by checking the levels of TSH, T3 and T4 in the blood, thyroid-related hormones. It is important that subclinical hyperthyroidism is identified, because even in the absence of signs or symptoms, it can promote the development of heart and history changes.
Subclinical hyperthyroidism can be classified by
Subclinical hyperthyroidism usually causes no signs or symptoms, and is identified only by blood tests that evaluate thyroid function. Therefore, testing is important to identify the cause and assess the need to initiate appropriate treatment.
Although it does not result in signs and symptoms, subclinical hyperthyroidism may increase the risk of cardiovascular disorders, osteoporosis and osteopenia, especially in postmenopausal women or people over 60 years of age. Therefore, it is important that it is diagnosed. See how to identify hyperthyroidism.
Diagnosis of subclinical hyperthyroidism is mainly performed by performing tests that evaluate the thyroid, especially the blood dose of TSH, T3 and T4 and antithyroid antibodies, in which case T3 and T4 levels are normal and the TSH level is lower than baseline, which for people over 18 years is between 0.3 and 4.0 IU/mL, which can vary from lab to laboratory. Learn more about the TSH test.
Therefore, according to TSH values, subclinical hyperthyroidism can be classified into:
In addition, it is important that more tests are performed to confirm the diagnosis of subclinical hyperthyroidism, identify the cause, and evaluate the need for treatment. This is usually done by an ultrasound and a thyroid scan.
It is also important that people diagnosed with subclinical hyperthyroidism are regularly monitored so that hormone levels can be evaluated over time and therefore whether there has been a progression to hyperthyroidism, for example.
Treatment of subclinical hyperthyroidism is defined by the family doctor or endocrinologist based on the assessment of the person’s overall health, the presence of symptoms or risk factors, such as age 60 years or older, osteoporosis or menopause, and is also taken into account with changes in TSH, Q3 and T4 levels in the last 3 months.
In some cases it is not necessary to start treatment, since they can only be transient changes, that is, due to certain situations experienced by the person, there have been changes in the concentration of hormones circulating in the blood, but then returning to normal.
However, in other situations, hormone levels may not return to normal, conversely, TSH levels may decrease and higher T3 and T4 levels, characterizing hyperthyroidism, and appropriate treatment is needed. , which can be done by using drugs that regulate hormone production, radioactive iodine treatment or surgery. Understand how hyperthyroidism is treated.