Do I need to take drugs for hypothyroidism lifelong?
Prof Dinesh Dhanwal
Prof of Medicine and Head of Endocrinology,
Maulana Azad Medical College,
New Delhi
Prof of Medicine and Head of Endocrinology,
Maulana Azad Medical College,
New Delhi
Q: I am a 36 years old man who recently got a lipid profile test done and was diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism. My T3 and T4 levels are well within the limit but TSH is high i.e. 7.56. The doctor has advised to take Eltroxin 25 mg for lifelong. Do I need to take this? If yes, is it for a lifetime?
A:All patients with subclinical hypothyroidism do not require treatment. The indications include:
- TSH >10.
- Abnormal lipid profile.
- Positive anti-TPO antibodies.
- Large goitre.
- Females with abnormal cycles, infertility, anovulatory cycles.
- Patients with mild depression.