Resumo

GARCIA SAEZ, Julieta; CARVAJAL MARTINEZ, Francisco; GONZALEZ FERNANDEZ, Pedro  e  NAVARRO DESPAIGNE, Daysi. Updating on subclinical hypothyroidism. Rev Cubana Endocrinol [online]. 2005, vol.16, n.3, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-2953.

The use of ultrasensitive techniques for determination of thyrotropine (TSH) has made it possible to substantially raise the possibilities of diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). This is a disorder that may occur in any life stage (more frequently in the older age) mainly in females and mostly related to the presence of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (antiTPO). By definition, subclinical hypothyroidism is asymptomatic but the majority of patients report at least a symptom that might be expression of hypothyroidism. Drug and expectant therapies are the most recommended types of treatment, although there is no international consensus on deciding the use of one or the other. The different aspects of this disorder, the controversy about the therapeutic behavior to be adopted as well as the scattered publications about this topic and the use of ultrasensitive methods in Cuban clinical practice to establish the levels of TSH motivated this literature review.

Palavras-chave : subclinical hypothyroidism; TSH; anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies.