Central hypothyroidism

Central hypothyroidism (CH) results from the insufficient stimulation of the thyroid gland and is caused by secondary (pituitary) or tertiary (hypothalamic) hypothyroidism. Diagnosis and treatment of CH is difficult; signs and symptoms are mild and onset is often progressive. Paolo Beck-Peccoz’s commentary on this topic describes how many papers have highlighted the cons of levothyroxine replacement therapy for patients with CH, but a recent paper published in Clinical Endocrinology has approached this therapy in a new way. Koulouri et al. found that CH patients are often undertreated and that treatment should target the free thyroxine levels which are in the middle of laboratory reference values. Beck-Peccoz concludes that substitution therapy is thus optimal if this condition is fulfilled, amongst others. Koulouri et al. (2011) Clinical Endocrinology 74 671–672.

Read the full article at: DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2011.04037.x.