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Subclinical thyroid dysfunction (STD) represents a condition of slight thyroid hormone excess or deficiency, which may be associated with important adverse effects. This review will focus on the natural history, diagnosis and management of subclinical thyroid dysfunction. Since STD is only detected as a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) abnormality, it is essential to exclude transient causes of abnormal serum TSH before treating this disorder. Treatment of subclinical hyperthyroidism (SHyper) is recommended in elderly patients with undetectable serum TSH for the increased risk of atrial fibrillation, osteoporosis and bone fractures and for the higher risk of progression to overt disease. Treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism should be considered in patients with serum TSH above 10 mU/L for the increased risk of progression to overt hypothyroidism and the increased risk of coronary heart disease and heart failure events, which have been documented in patients with TSH increase above 10 mU/L. About 75% of patients with STD have mild dysfunction. The mild form of STD (low but detectable serum TSH in SHyper and mild increased serum TSH between 5 and 9 mU/L in SHypo is associated with a minor risk of disease progression to overt dysfunction. The best treatment for STD remains controversial. Treatment of the mild form of STD should be considered after evaluating the patients’ age, the adverse risk factors, the potential beneficial effects of treating this disorder and any underlying co-morbidities. Mild SHypo should be treated in infertile and pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several questions and answers related to diagnosis and treatment for thyroid diseases including a question on thyroid disorders' contribution to thyroid dysfunction, another on symptoms commonly experienced by patients and a question on therapies recommended.

We encountered a patient who presented with neck swelling, difficulty in swallowing, voice change along with systemic features such as evening rise of temperature, chronic cough and weight loss. Ultrasonography of the thyroid gland revealed two cystic swellings. An ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology was suggestive of tubercular abscess. The patient responded well to antigravity aspiration of the swellings and antitubercular treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]