A report published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology analyzed 115,746 subjects without a history of thyroid disease.

Those with a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level from 5 to 19.96 mIU/L, who also had normal T4 levels, were classified as having subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH).

During a 10 year follow-up, researchers compared the risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular disease in those subjects with SCH to those with normal TSH levels.

Subjects with SCH were found to have a 30 percent increase in deaths from all causes, and a 68 percent increase in death from cardiovascular disease.

I was taught in medical school not to treat SCH until it became clinical — that is until the thyroid function worsened to the point that there were clinical complaints from the patient.

Unfortunately, that is still the prevailing thought in conventional medical circles today. This study showed a significantly higher 10 year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality rate in those that had SCH.

I see no reason to wait to treat SCH, which is a precursor to hypothyroidism, a condition that is associated with cardiovascular disease, fatigue, obesity, hair loss, headaches, and cancer.

To withhold thyroid treatment from a patient who is testing positive for SCH is wrong.

More information about SCH and thyroid problems can be found in my book, Overcoming Thyroid Disorders.