Knowledge is essential Applied, it is Wisdom Wisdom is Happiness www.drsarma.in 1 Charaka Samhita Sukham Samagram Vijnane Vimale cha Pratishthitam All happiness is rooted www.drsarma.in in the Good Science 2 www.drsarma.in Dr.R.V.S.N.Sarma., M.D., M.Sc., Consultant Physician and Chest Specialist www.drsarma.in 3 Some interesting cases 1. Govindammal – Persistant diarrhea 2. Sridhar – HM – Cachexia 70 kg to 40 kg 3. Kavitha – Weight loss – lung shadow 4. Sulochana – Severe anaemia – CHF 5. Lady doctor – listlessness – anaemia 6. Kamatchi – Infertility after 16 yrs of ML 7. Siva – Atrial fibrillation – cachexia 8. Begum - Our staff member – weight loss 9. John – 32 yrs. Premature IHD 10. Kadirvelu – severe diabetes www.drsarma.in 11. Annaji – dyspnea – tracheal compression 4 Clinical Exam. of Thyroid www.drsarma.in Have patient seated on a stool / chair Inspect neck – also while drinking water Examine with neck in relaxed position Palpate from behind the patient Remember the rule of finger tips Use the tips of fingers for palpation Palpate firmly down to trachea Pemberton’s sign for RSG 5 Where to look for Thyroid ? www.drsarma.in 6 Clinical Anatomy of Thyroid www.drsarma.in 7 Clinical Exam of Thyroid www.drsarma.in 8 Clinical Exam of Thyroid www.drsarma.in 9 Clinical Exam of Thyroid www.drsarma.in 10 Thyromegaly www.drsarma.in 11 www.drsarma.in 12 Thyroid Regulation HYPOTHALAMUS - TRH ANT. PITUITARY - TSH TSH -R THYROID T4 and T3 PLASMA T4 + FT4 PLASMA T3 + FT3 TISSUES FT4 to FT3, rT3 www.drsarma.in 13 In the Thyroid Gland There the following 5 steps in the hormonogenesis 1. Trapping of inorganic Iodine from dietary Iodides 2. Activation of Iodine to high valance I2 3. Incorporation of I2 into Tyrosine of Thyroid Globulin 4. Coupling of formed MIT and DIT to form T4 & T3 5. Proteolysis of Thyroglobulin to release T4 & T3 www.drsarma.in 14 Metabolism of Thyroid Hormones Thyroid Gland 100 nm Thyroxine FT4 < 5 nm Reverse T3 (rT3) 45 nm 35 nm 5 nm Triiodothyronine (FT3) 20 nm www.drsarma.in Tertrac etc., 15 What happens in Fluorosis Normal catabolism -Thyroxine FT4 FT3 rT3 rT3 will be LOW rT3 ÷ T3 ratio will be LOW Normal deiodination of T4 www.drsarma.in Abnormal catabolism -Thyroxine FT4 FT3 rT3 rT3 will be HIGH rT3 ÷ T3 ratio will be HIGH Fluoride affects the normal deiodination of T4 16 The Thyronines Mono Iodo Tyrosine – MIT Di Iodo Tyrosine – DIT Tri Iodo Thyronine – T3 – half life 6 hours Tetra Iodo Thyronine – T4 half life 7 days Reverse T3 - metabolically inactive T4 is 99.9% protein bound to TBG, TPA, TA T3 is 99.5% protein bound to TBG, TPA, TA Bound hormones are inactive – should not be measured Only Free T4 and Free T3 are metabolically active www.drsarma.in 17 The Thyroxines Tri Iodo Thyronine – T3 - 10% is from thyroid gland - 90% derived from conversion of T4 to T3 Tetra Iodo Thyronine – T4 - Is exclusively from thyroid gland From the thyroid gland - 80% of hormone secreted is T4 - 20% of hormone secreted is T3 www.drsarma.in 18 www.drsarma.in 19 Thyroid Function Tests www.drsarma.in 1. TSH 2. Free T4 3. Free T3 4. Anti-Thyroid Antibodies 5. Nuclear Scintigraphy 6. FNAC of nodule 20 What tests should I order ? As per the Guidelines of the AACE and ATA, ITS 1. TSH alone if Hypothyroidism is suspected 2. TSH and Free T4 only if Hyperthyroidism is suspected or for routine evaluation 3. Free T3 if T3 toxicosis is suspected 4. For follow-up of treatment only TSH 5. Don’t order for Total T4 or Total T3 6. Never order RIU in pregnancy or lactation www.drsarma.in 21 Which Lab to choose ? 1. Depends on the method of estimation of hormones 2. Equilibrium Dialysis is the gold Standard for TSH 3. Radio-immuno assay - 3rd or 4th gen. RIA is the best 4. Reliability of ELISA is not adequate 5. Chemiluminescence immuno assay - CIA is the gold standard for FT4 but expensive and less widely available Choose a lab which offers 3rd or 4th generation RIA method www.drsarma.in 22 How to interpret results ? www.drsarma.in 23 The Nine Square Game To evaluate our Thyroid patient As per the AACE and ITS Guidelines www.drsarma.in 24 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 25 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION EUTHYROID LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 26 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION PRIMARY HYPOTHYROID LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 27 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION PRIMARY HYPERTHYROID LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 28 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION SECONDARY HYPOTHYROID LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 29 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION SECONDARY HYPERTHYROID LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 30 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION SUB-CLINICAL HYPERTHYROID LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 31 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION SUB-CLINICAL HYPOTHYROID LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 32 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION NON THYROID ILLNESS or NTI LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 33 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION NTI or Pt. on ELTROXIN LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 34 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION PRIMARY NTI or Pt. SECONDARY HYPERTHYROID on ELTROXIN HYPERTHYROID SUB-CLINICAL EUTHYROID HYPERTHYROID SUB-CLINICAL HYPOTHYROID SECONDARY NON THYROID PRIMARY HYPOTHYROID ILLNESS - NTI HYPOTHYROID LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 35 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION EUTHYROID LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 36 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION PRIMARY HYPOTHYROID LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 37 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION PRIMARY HYPERTHYROID LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 38 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION SECONDARY HYPOTHYROID LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 39 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION SECONDARY HYPERTHYROID LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 40 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION SUB-CLINICAL HYPERTHYROID LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 41 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION SUB-CLINICAL HYPOTHYROID LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 42 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION NON THYROID ILLNESS or NTI LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 43 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION NTI or Pt. on ELTROXIN LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 44 FREE THYROXINE or FT4 BASIC THYROID EVALUATION PRIMARY NTI or Pt. SECONDARY HYPERTHYROID on ELTROXIN HYPERTHYROID SUB-CLINICAL EUTHYROID HYPERTHYROID SUB-CLINICAL HYPOTHYROID SECONDARY NON THYROID PRIMARY HYPOTHYROID ILLNESS - NTI HYPOTHYROID LOW NORMAL HIGH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE - TSH www.drsarma.in 45 THYROID HORMONES TEST REFERENCE RANGE TSH Normal Range 0.3 - 4.0 mU/L Free T4 Normal Range 0.7-2.1 ng/dL TSH upper limit will soon be revised to 2.5 mU/L www.drsarma.in 46 T.F.T. in Progressive Hypothyroidism TSH Mild Moderate Severe Normal Range Free T4 www.drsarma.in Free T3 47 Nucleotide Scintigraphy I 123 and TC 99m Radio Nucleotide Scintigraphy This test is not at all required in hypothyroidism This is only to confirm a hyper functioning thyroid or To assess whether a nodule is ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ Never order for this test for hypothyroidism Similar is the case with FNAC – in hypothyroid goiter If TSH is high and FT4 is low there is no role for FNAC www.drsarma.in 48 Thyroid Antibodies Anti Microsomal (TM ) Antibodies Anti Thyroglobulin (TG) Antibodies Anti Thyroxine Per Oxidase (TPO) Ab. Anti Thyroxine antibodies Thyroid Stimulating (TSA) Antibodies High titres TPO Ab in Hashimotos & Reidle’s thyroiditis Anti thyroxine Ab in peripheral resistance to Thyroxine TSA (TSI) in Graves’ Hyperthyroidism www.drsarma.in 49 www.drsarma.in HYPOTHYROIDISM Current Trends in Dx. and Rx. Dr.Sarma@works 50 General Considerations www.drsarma.in 51 Hypothyroidism Epidemiology – Most common endocrine disease – Females > Males – 8 : 1 Presentation – Often unsuspected and grossly under diagnosed – 90 % of the cases are Primary Hypothyroidism – Menstrual irregularities, miscarriages, growth retard. – Vague pains, anaemia, lethargy, gain in weight – In clear cut cases - typical signs and symptoms – Low free T4 and High TSH – Easily treatable with oral Levo-thyroxine www.drsarma.in 52 Classification www.drsarma.in 53 Classification of Hypothyroidism A. Primary 1. Enlarged Thyroid Primary contd.. 3. Post Ablative - Permanent - Hashimoto’s (65%) - Transient - Iodine Deficiency (25%) - Sub-clinical - Drug-induced (Lithium) - Dysharmonogenesis 4. Congenital 2. Normal Thyroid - Spontaneous Atrophic www.drsarma.in B. Secondary / Central Pituitary/ hypothalamic 54 IDD www.drsarma.in 55 Clinical considerations www.drsarma.in 56 Disease Burden 1. 2. 3. 4. 5% of the general population are Sub-clinically Hypothyroid 15 % of all women > 65 yrs. are hypothyroid Detecting sub-clinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy is highly essential – order for TSH and FT4 routinely in all pregnant women at the beginning of each trimester All persons aged above 60 years – Order for TSH www.drsarma.in 57 Multi system effects - Hypothyroidism General •Lethargy, Somnalence •Weight gain, Goitre •Cold Intolerence Cardiovascular •Bradycardia, Angina •CHF, Pericardial Effusion •HyperlipIdemia, Xanthelsma Haematological Iron def. Anaemia, Normo cytic /chromic Anaemia Reproductive system •Infertility, Menorrhagia •Impotence, Inc. Prolactin www.drsarma.in Neuromuscular •Aches and pains •Muscle stiffness •Carpel tunnel syndrome •Deafness, Hoarseness •Cerebellar ataxia •Delayed DTR, Myotonia •Depression, Psychosis Gastro-intestinal •Constipation, Ileus, Ascites Dermatological •Dry flaky skin and hair •Myxoedema, Malar flushes •Vitiligo, Carotenimia, Alopecia 58 Clinical Signs of Hypothyroidism Coarse Hair; Dry cool and pale skin Goitre (not in all cases), Hoarseness of voice Non-pitting oedema (myxoedema) Puffiness of eyes and face Delayed relaxation of DTR Slow hoarse speech and slow movements Thinning of lateral 1/3 of eye brows Bradycardia, pericardial effusion www.drsarma.in 59 What the mind knows the eyes see !! Order for TSH alone as a screen Psychiatric patients Other Autoimmune Elderly women / men Rx. Grave’s Ophthalmopathy Patients of OSA Family H/o thyroid disease Hypercholesterolemia Neck irradiation therapy Lithium, Amiodarone Previous Rx for thyrotoxicosis Postpartum women Autoimmune Thyroiditis www.drsarma.in disease 60 Thyroid Failure - Organ Systems Cardiovascular • Decreased ventricular contractility • Increased diastolic blood pressure • Decreased heart rate Central Nervous • Decreased concentration • General lack of interest • Depression Gastro-instestinal • Decreased GI motility • Constipation www.drsarma.in 61 Thyroid Failure - Organ Systems Musculoskeletal Muscle stiffness, cramps, pain, weakness, myalgia Slow muscle-stretch reflexes, muscle enlargement, atrophy Renal Fluid retention and oedema Decreased glomerular filtration www.drsarma.in 62 Thyroid Failure - Organ Systems Reproductive Arrest of pubertal development Reduced growth velocity Menorrhagia, Amenorrhea Anovulation, Infertility Hepatic Increased LDL / TC Elevated LDL + triglycerides www.drsarma.in 63 Thyroid Failure - Organ Systems Skin and Hair Thickening and dryness of skin Dry, coarse hair, Alopecia Loss of scalp hair and / or lateral eyebrow hair www.drsarma.in 64 Clinical Photographs www.drsarma.in 65 Congenital Hypothyroidism www.drsarma.in 66 www.drsarma.in 67 www.drsarma.in 68 Endemic Goiter www.drsarma.in 69 Urine Iodine Conc. < 50 µg/L www.drsarma.in 70 www.drsarma.in 71 www.drsarma.in 72 Cassava Plant Topiaco - Sago (Javva Arisi) www.drsarma.in 73 Tapioca Root - Sago Tapioca (tubers) www.drsarma.in Dried Tapioca - Sago 74 Myxedema www.drsarma.in 75 Myxedema www.drsarma.in 76 Macroglossia www.drsarma.in 77 Xanthomata Tuberous Xanthoma Xanthelasma www.drsarma.in 78 Solid Oedema www.drsarma.in Xanthomata 79 Myxoedema with Carotineamia www.drsarma.in 80 Recovery after L-Thyroxine www.drsarma.in 81 Normal Pituitary Fossa www.drsarma.in Pituitary Tumor – Secondary Hypo 82 20.2.98 Massive Pericardial Effusion in Hypo www.drsarma.in 83 26.7.98 Clearing of Pericardial Effusion with Rx. www.drsarma.in 84 14.9.99 www.drsarma.in Reappearance of Pericardial Effusion after treatment is discontinued 85 Co-morbidity Hypercholosterolemia Depression Infertility – Menstrual Irregularities Diabetes mellitus www.drsarma.in 86 Hypothyroidism and Hypercholesterolemia 14% of patients with elevated cholesterol have hypothyroidism Approximately 90% of patients with overt hypothyroidism have increased cholesterol and / or triglycerides www.drsarma.in 87 Lipids in Patient with Hypothyroidism Hypercholesterolemia (>200 mg/dL) Hypertriglyceridemia (>150 mg/dL) Hypercholesterolemia and mild Hyper TG N= 268 www.drsarma.in Normal Lipids 88 LDL-C Levels Increase With Increasing Hypothyroidism Grade 246 250 191 200 168 133 137 C 1 2 Basal TSH (mU/L) 1.1 3.0 8.6 LDL-C (mg/dL 144 150 100 50 0 Hypothyroidism Grade www.drsarma.in 3 4* 22.7 44.4 5† 63.7 89 Effect of Thyroxine therapy on Hypercholesterolemia in Patients with mild Thyroid failure “The decrease in total cholesterol achieved with [Thyroxine replacement] substitution therapy in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism [mild thyroid failure] may be considered as an important decrease in cardiovascular risk favouring treatment.” www.drsarma.in 90 Hypothyroidism and Depression Depressive symptoms are common in hypothyroidism Many hypothyroid patients fulfill DSM-IV criteria for a depressive disorder Depressed patients may be more likely than normal individuals to be hypothyroid All depressed patients should be evaluated for thyroid dysfunction www.drsarma.in 91 Hypothyroidism and Depression Depression Sleep decrease Suicidal ideation Weight change Delusions www.drsarma.in Hypothyroidism Constipation Decreased Conc. Decreased libido Depressed mood Diminished interest Weight increase Fatigue Bradycardia Cardiac and lipid Abnormalities Cold intolerance Hair and skin changes Delayed reflexes Goiter 92 Thyroxine in Depression 1. Thyroxine therapy is recommended for patients with depression who have persistently elevated serum TSH 2. Antidepressants may be less effective if thyroid function not normalized www.drsarma.in 93 Hypothyroidism and Infertility 1. Hypothyroidism associated with infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth 2. Infertility : Evaluate thyroid function, treat hypothyroidism 3. Equivocal results: Begin therapy; discontinue if no pregnancy for several months. www.drsarma.in 94 Suspect Hypothyroidism 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. www.drsarma.in Amenorrhea Oligomenorrhea Menorrhogia Galactorrhea Premature ovarian failure Infertility Decreased libido Precocious / delayed puberty Chronic urticaria 95 Hypothyroidism and Diabetes 1. Approximately 10% of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus develop sub-clinical hypothyroidism 2. In diabetic patients - examine for goitre 3. TSH measurement at regular intervals www.drsarma.in 96 www.drsarma.in 97 Algorithm for Hypothyroidism Measure TSH Elevated TSH Normal TSH Measure FT4 Considering Pituitary Normal Low Sub-clinical hypo Yes Primary hypothyroid No tests TPO - Low TPO + TPO - T4 repl Annual FU www.drsarma.in No TPO + Hashimoto Others Evaluate Pituitary Sick Euthyroid Drugs effect Measure FT4 Normal No tests 98 Hormone replacement www.drsarma.in 99 Many Causes, One Treatment Goal : Normalize TSH level regardless of cause of hypothyroidism Treatment : Once daily dosing with Levothyroxine sodium (1.6µg/kg/day) this comes to 100 mcg per day Monitor TSH levels at 6 to 8 weeks, after initiation of therapy or dosage change www.drsarma.in 100 Many Causes, One Treatment Treatment of choice is levothyroxin Branded thyroxine recommended Brand consistency recommended No divided doses - illogical Not recommended for use : Desiccated thyroid extract Combination of thyroid hormones T3 replacement except in Myxedema coma www.drsarma.in 101 Dosage Adjustments Age (in elderly start with half dose) Severity and duration of hypothyroidism (↑ dose) Weight (0.5µg/kg/day ↑ upto 3.0µg/kg/day) Malabsorption (requires ↑ dose) Concomitant drug therapy (only on empty stomach) Pregnancy ( 25% ↑ in dose), safe in lactating mother Presence of cardiac disease (start alt. day Rx) www.drsarma.in 102 Start Low and Go Slow Goal : normalize TSH level – 25, 50 and 100 mcg tablets avail. Starting dose for healthy patients < 50 years at 1.0 µg/kg/day Starting dose for healthy patients > 50 years should be < 50 µg/day. Dose ↑ by 25 µg, if needed, at 6 to 8 weeks intervals. Starting dose for patients with heart disease should be 12.5 to 25 µg/day and increase by 12.5 to 25 µg/day, if needed, at 6 to 8 weeks intervals www.drsarma.in 103 How the patient improves Feels better in 2 – 3 weeks Reduction in weight is the first improvement Facial puffiness then starts coming down Skin changes, hair changes take long time to regress TSH starts showing decrements from the high values TSH returns to normal eventually www.drsarma.in 104 Drug Interactions Malabsorption Syndromes Reduced Absorption Cholestyramine resin Sucralfate Ferrous sulfate Soybean formula Aluminum hydroxide Colestipol hydrochloride www.drsarma.in Drugs that affect metabolism Rifampin Carbamazepine Phenytoin Phenobarbitol Amiodarone 105 Inappropriate Dosage Over-replacement risks Reduced bone density / osteoporosis Tachycardia, arrhythmia. atrial fibrillation In elderly or patients with heart disease, angina, arrhythmia, or myocardial infarction2 Under-replacement risks Continued hypothyroid state Long-term end-organ effects of hypothyroidism Increased risk of hyperlipidemia www.drsarma.in 106 Diet in Iodine deficiency Iodized salt Selenium supplementation Avoid Cassava Avoid cabbage (goitrogens) Avoid formula milk Fish, meat, milk & eggs www.drsarma.in 107 Special situations www.drsarma.in 108 Sub-clinical Hypothyroidism Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis Graves’ hyperthyroidism with radioiodine, surgery Inadequate replacement therapy for hypothyroidism Lithium carbonate therapy (for depressive illness) www.drsarma.in 109 Post-Partum Thyroiditis (PPT) Definition Occurrence of hyperthyroidism and / or hypothyroidism during the postpartum period in women who were euthryroid during pregnancy At Highest Risk Patients with type 1 diabetes, previous history of PPT or other autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto’s disease and Graves’ disease www.drsarma.in 110 Myxedema Coma Precipitating factors : Infection, trauma, stroke, cardiovascular, hemorrhage drug overdose, diuretics Signs and Symptoms : Mental confusion, hypothermia, bradycardia, older age, ↓ Na, ↓ glucose, ↑ CO2, ↓ WBC, ↓ Hct, ↑ CPK ↓ EKG voltage, myxedema, b-carotnenemia Treatment www.drsarma.in ICU transfer, T3 100 µg IV sixth hourly, 500 µg of T4 , antibiotics, ventilation, hydrocortisone IV, passive warming, careful volume management 111 Sick Euthyroid Syndrome www.drsarma.in Total T3 reduced FT3 reduced Total T4 reduced FT4 Normal TSH Normal Clinically Euthyroid 112 The Commandments www.drsarma.in 113 The Commandments Highly suspect hypothyroidism All obese patients TSH a must Growth and pubertal delay For all pregnant -test TSH, FT4 Unexplained depression Postmenopausal 15% Hypothy TSH is the test in Hypothy. Start low and go slow TSH, FT4 to confirm Dx. Use Levothyroxine only Nine square magic Always on empty stomach Test cord blood for TSH Thyroxine - avoid empirical use www.drsarma.in 114 Question # 1 Should a serum TSH be a routine component of the periodic health exam in women? www.drsarma.in 115 Question # 2 What is the appropriate biochemical end point for adequate thyroid hormone replacement in hypothyroid patient? www.drsarma.in 116 Question # 3 Are there risks associated with over replacement? www.drsarma.in 117 Question # 4 Are all L-thyroxine products therapeutically equivalent? Should combination T4/T3 preparations be used? www.drsarma.in 118 Question # 5 What is the impact of pregnancy on Thyroxine replacement therapy in a hypothyroid women? www.drsarma.in 119 Question # 6 What is the impact of breast feeding on the management of maternal hypo and hyperthyroidism? www.drsarma.in 120 Question # 7 Should women with sub-clinical hypothyroidism be treated with L-Thyroxine? www.drsarma.in 121 Question # 8 Should euthyroid patient with benign thyroid nodules be placed on thyroid hormone suppression therapy? www.drsarma.in 122 We need to apply the current knowledge www.drsarma.in 123 www.drsarma.in 124