Original articles Management oftheunexpected result: compensated hypothyroidism

Summary Thecombination ofelevated serumthyrotropinandnormalserum thyroxine is called compensated orsubclinical hypothyroidism. Thismostcommonlyrepresents clinically silentautoimmune thyroiditis. Whetherthiscondition warrantstreatment orsimply observation is still debated. Theriskofdeveloping overt hypothyroidism ishighinfemales with elevated thyrotropin above10mU/land/or positive thyroid microsomal antibodies. Malesarealsoathighriskofprogression towards overthypothyroidism, regardless ofantibody status ordegree ofthyrotropin elevation. We advise routine treatment of onlythoseathighriskofdeveloping overt hypothyroidism.