Table 9.

Benefits and Limits of a Screening Program in Patients With T2DM

• Asymptomatic TD is frequently observed in patients with T2D.

• Undetected thyroid disorders can compromise the metabolic control and amplify the risk of cardiovascular events.

• The screening of TD could prevent the high cardiovascular complications of T2D.

• The diagnosis of TD in patients with T2D is difficult because some oral antidiabetic drugs can interfere with the evaluation of serum TSH levels.

• Mild subclinical thyroid disease can progress at a low rate, suggesting a long-term screening program.

• The use of age-specific TSH range should be considered to avoid the misdiagnosis of hypothyroidism in elderly patients with T2D.

• There are insufficient data to assess the specific tests for screening (TSH alone, TSH and TPO, or TSH and FT4), the exact interval of periodic screening, and the cost-benefit ratio.