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Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry logoLink to Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry
. 2008 Oct 1;23(3):279–282. doi: 10.1007/s12291-008-0062-y

Diagnostic strategies for subclinical hypothyroidism

Shruti Mohanty 1,✉, W Amruthlal 1,2, G C Reddy 1, G Kusumanjali 1, A S Kanagasabapathy 1, Pragna Rao 1
PMCID: PMC3453453  PMID: 23105770

Abstract

The aim of this study is to delineate laboratory diagnostic strategies for subclinical hypothyroidism in patients who are clinically symptomatic but may have a normal thyroid profile. Tri — iodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and anti thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO) were estimated on fasting blood samples from 99 patients using electrochemiluminescence methods on ELECSYS 1010 (Roche). 74% of study subjects had elevated anti-TPO levels.61% patients had subclinical hypothyroidism. 45 of the 61 subclinical hypothyroid patients had elevated anti-TPO levels (73%). This is an important finding suggesting an autoimmune etiology for subclinical thyroid dysfunction with a higher risk of developing overt hypothyroidism.

Key words: Hypothyroidism, Thyroid Profile, T3, T4, TSH, Anti TPO

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