Hypothyroidism.

ABSTRACT

Hypothyroidism, due to deficiency of circulating thyroid hormones, is a disease with wide ranging symptoms and signs affecting many systems and presenting to various specialists. Once suspected it can be easily diagnosed by a simple blood test measuring serum thyroxine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Treatment of hypothyroidism is by giving levothyroxine orally, and the dose is to be titrated to keep the serum TSH within the normal range. The clinical entity of subclinical hypothyroidism, characterised by normal T4 and elevated TSH is being diagnosed more frequently, and is emerging as a new indication for thyroxine therapy.