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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Salman Razvi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND).
Although the assignment of a diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction appears quite simple, this is often not the case. Issues that lead to complexities regarding whether thyroid function is, in fact, normal include transient changes in thyroid parameters, inter- and intraindividual differences in thyroid parameters, age-related differences, and ethnic variations. Superimposed upon these considerations, is the understanding that a statistically calculated distribution of thyroid analytes does not necessarily coincide with intervals or cut offs that have predictive value for beneficial or adverse health outcomes. Based on current trial data, it is unclear whether certain adults would still benefit from levothyroxine, (such as those with TSH values > 10 mIU/L), since a limited number of these persons were included in randomised trials. Even if therapy is initiated for abnormal thyroid function, not all treated individuals are maintained at the desired treatment target, and therefore still may be subject to risks. The consequence of this is that not only does each patient's thyroid function need to be assessed on an individual basis with the entire clinical picture in mind, but also monitoring needs to be vigilant, and the targets for treatment reassessed on an ongoing basis.
Author(s): Jonklaas J, Razvi S
Publication type: Review
Publication status: Published
Journal: The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology
Year: 2019
Volume: 7
Issue: 6
Pages: 473-483
Print publication date: 01/06/2019
Online publication date: 21/02/2019
Acceptance date: 12/12/2018
ISSN (print): 2213-8587
URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(18)30371-1
DOI: 10.1016/S2213-8587(18)30371-1
