Subclinical hyperthyroidism

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Subclinical hyperthyroidism

You may have a mild form of hyperthyroidism called subclinical hyperthyroidism if your thyroid tests show that:

Your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are low.
Your thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) are normal.

Subclinical hyperthyroidism is different from hyperthyroidism because your TSH levels are low but your thyroid hormone levels are normal.

If you have subclinical hyperthyroidism, you may have no symptoms at all or you may lose weight or feel anxious.

People with subclinical hyperthyroidism have a greater chance of having some of the more serious problems related to hyperthyroidism such as heart and bone problems. However, experts do not know whether the benefits of treating subclinical hyperthyroidism outweigh the risks. For this reason, if you have subclinical hyperthyroidism, your doctor will probably just watch you closely.

Credits

Author	Colleen Cronin
Author	Christine Wendt, R.D., L.D.
Editor	Renée Spengler, RN, BSN
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Michele Cronen
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Lisa Shaw
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism
Last Updated	December 20, 2005

Last updated:	December 20, 2005
Author:	Christine Wendt, R.D., L.D.
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Lisa Shaw

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