IN THE NEWS: Subclinical Thyroid Disease: Scientific Review and Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management

JAMA -- Subclinical Thyroid Disease: Scientific Review and Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management, January 14, 2004, Surks et al. 291 (2): 228

(UPDATE: Not just released...oops. But still well-worth reading. I had the wrong document open. )

The basic questions that are asked (and answered) are:

• What is the definition of subclinical thyroid disease?
  
• What is the epidemiology of subclinical thyroid disease?
  
• What are the consequences of untreated subclinical thyroid disease? How should it be evaluated?
  
• What are the risks and benefits of treatment for subclinical thyroid disease?
  Is screening for subclinical thyroid disease warranted?

It also uses a rubric to determine the following:

Strength of the Overall Evidence
Strength of Panelists' Recommendations Based on Available Evidence

Subclincial hypothyroidism is defined and differentiated from central hypothyroidism. Short and long-term consequences are also delineated.