Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Family Medicine

Background Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is diagnosed by increased serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) with normal levels of free thyroxine (FT4) and free tri-iodothyronine (FT3).Controversy exists concerning the early treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism with levothyroxine when TSH level is below 10 mIU/L. Aim The aim of our study was to quantify the effects of a 3-month trial of Levothyroxine treatment on the quality of life, clinical data and biochemical blood parameters in SCH with TSH less than 10mIU/L. Methods This was a randomized controlled trial. It was carried out on persons aged 18-65years old of both sexes attending family medicine outpatient clinics at KasrAl-ainy hospital, Cairo University with untreated symptomatic mild subclinical hypothyroidism. Simple randomization was performed by assigning random numbers from random number table. Clinical parameters, biochemical data and quality of life (Short Form 36 questionnaire) were measured before the replacement of Levothyroxine and 3 months after starting treatment in the subclinical hypothyroidism patients (intervention group) and was compared to the control group

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