September 4, 2025 - If your healthcare provider recommends treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism, they’ll prescribe a thyroid hormone replacement medication called levothyroxine. It comes in pill form. Before starting levothyroxine therapy in subclinical hypothyroidism, your provider may order another blood test to check your TSH levels within three months of the first abnormal test result.

February 1, 2019 - Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined by an elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level along with a normal free thyroxine (T4) level. Whether it should be treated remains controversial. Currently, the best practical approach is to base treatment decisions on the degree of TSH elevation, thyroid autoimmunity, and associated comorbidities.

September 11, 2025 - Subclinical hypothyroidism usually goes away on its own in about three months.

Caution is necessary when treating elderly subjects with levothyroxine. Conclusion: lifelong treatment with levothyroxine should normally only be considered in manifest hypothyroidism. However, in subclinical hypothyroidism with a TSH >10 mIU/L, therapy is indicated.

February 2, 2023 - This condition can progress to full-blown hypothyroidism. ... 26.8 percent of those with subclinical hypothyroidism developed full-blown hypothyroidism within 6 years of their initial diagnosis.

December 10, 2022 - Understand what happens when your thyroid is underactive and learn about treatment for this condition.

September 17, 2019 - ANSWER: For mild cases of hypothyroidism, not all patients need treatment. Occasionally, the condition may resolve without treatment. Follow-up appointments are important to monitor hypothyroidism over time, however.

May 28, 2024 - That’s why it doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms. But the levels of certain substances in the blood can show that the thyroid gland isn’t working properly. It is unclear whether there are benefits to treating subclinical hypothyroidism.

October 10, 2022 - Treatment for certain thyroid conditions, such as thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer, may involve the surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid. This procedure is known as a thyroidectomy. ... may lead to subclinical hypothyroidism depending on the extent of removal of thyroid-producing cells from the thyroid.

Learn about subclinical (borderline) thyroid conditions

Mildly underactive thyroid is very common and is a topic of considerable debate among health care providers because it is not clear how to manage this condition. In many people, subclinical hypothyroidism eventually progresses to the full-blown disorder.

January 23, 2024 - What causes subclinical hypothyroidism, or elevated TSH without changes in T3/T4 hormones? Learn the risks of treatment & how to reverse it (including diet).

June 10, 2020 - Findings from a pair of studies provide sufficient evidence to challenge any need to prescribe levothyroxine for mild hypothyroidism in nearly all patients except those planning a pregnancy. ... Treating subclinical hypothyroidism has become accepted practice.

June 28, 2024 - In studies restricted to older persons, the reported prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism is between 1.5-12.5%.4 Treatment with thyroid hormones is increasing and more than 10-15% of people aged over 80 years are prescribed levothyroxine replacement therapy.

January 1, 2012 - All patients with overt hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism with TSH >10 mIU/L should be treated. There is consensus on the need to treat subclinical hypothyroidism of any magnitude in pregnant women and women who are contemplating pregnancy, to decrease the risk of pregnancy complications and impaired cognitive development of the offspring.

November 11, 2021 - Generally, treatment is not necessary unless the TSH exceeds 7.0–10 mIU/L. In double-blinded randomized controlled trials, treatment does not improve symptoms or cognitive function if the TSH is less than 10 mIU/L. While cardiovascular events may be reduced in patients under age 65 with subclinical hypothyroidism who are treated with levothyroxine, treatment may be harmful in elderly patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.

August 9, 2023 - The most common cause is autoimmune thyroiditis. Treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism in children is controversial. There is no consensus on whether treatment is even required.

February 15, 1998 - Because patients with subclinical hypothyroidism sometimes have subtle hypothyroid symptoms and may have mild abnormalities of serum lipoproteins and cardiac function, patients with definite and persistent TSH elevation should be considered for thyroid treatment. Levothyroxine, in a dosage that maintains serum TSH levels within the normal range, is the preferred therapy in these patients.

September 1, 2020 - Studies of subclinical hypothyroidism primarily include older people. Substantial evidence demonstrates that levothyroxine is not beneficial for patients 65 years and older. Symptoms suggesting hypothyroidism, such as fatigue and depression, are not improved with supplementation more than with placebo.

September 30, 2021 - However, there are potential downsides to treating subclinical hypothyroidism. There is the risk of overtreatment, which might cause symptoms, such as feeling jittery and insomnia.