Diagnosis
–Repeat TSH level 1–3 months as TSH may fluctuate in patients without thyroid disease and return to normal on subsequent testing.
-“In a patient with a normal free T4, the TSH level must be greater than 10 µU/mL for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism.
-Mild TSH elevations may be a normal manifestation of aging.” ABFM critique.
Treat if TSH is 10 or higher.
Further Reading
Papaleontiou M, Cappola AR: Thyroid-stimulating hormone in the evaluation of subclinical hypothyroidism. JAMA 2016;316(15):1592-1593.