孕早期亚临床甲状腺功能减退与流产发生的相关性

目的:探讨孕早期亚临床甲状腺功能减退与流产发生的相关性。方法:2017年2月至2019年选择在本院进行建档的孕早期孕妇120例,检测血清游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(free triiodothyronine,FT3)、游离甲状腺素(free thyroxine,FT4)、促甲状腺激素(thyroid stimulating hormone,TSH)含量,判断亚甲减发生情况。调查所有孕妇的流产等妊娠结局情况并分析相关性。结果:在120例孕妇中,发生亚甲减18例(亚甲减组),发生率为15.0%。亚甲减组的年龄、孕周、孕次、产次、心率、收缩压、舒张压等指标与非亚甲减组对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。亚甲减组的血清TSH含量高于非亚甲减组,FT3值低于非亚甲减组(P<0.05),两组FT4值对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。亚甲减组的流产发生率为38.9%,显著高于非亚甲减组的2.9%(P<0.05)。亚甲减组的早产、前置胎盘、胎膜早破、产后出血、巨大儿、低体重儿、新生儿窒息等发生率也显著高于非亚甲减组(P<0.05)。在120例孕妇中,Pearson相关分析法显示流产与亚甲减、血清TSH、FT3值都存在相关性(P<0.05)。结论:孕早期亚甲减在临床上比较常见,可导致流产发生率增加,也可增加妊娠不良结局的发生几率,亚甲减与流产存在正向相关性。     

南京迈皋桥社区人群甲状腺功能减退症的流行研究

目的:研究南京迈皋桥社区人群甲状腺功能减退症(甲减)的流行特征。方法:采用随机整群抽样方法按全国城市人口普查的年龄构成在南京迈皋桥地区抽取≥20岁,5年之内不会动迁的常驻社区居民。采集空腹血清1540份,测定促甲状腺激素(TSH)、三碘甲状腺游氨酸(FT3)、游离甲状腺素(FT4),甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb)、甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TGAb)。结果:(1)南京迈皋桥地区社区人群的临床甲减和亚临床甲减的患病率分别为0.45%,3.96%。(2)男性亚临床甲减的患病率低于女性(P<0.01),临床甲减患病率男女之间无显著差异(P>0.05)。(3)男性不同年龄段间临床甲减和亚临床甲减的患病率均无差异(P>0.05)。女性临床甲减的患病率有随年龄增加而升高的趋势(P=0.02),50岁以上女性亚临床甲减患病率显著增高(P<0.01)。结论:与临床甲减相比,南京社区人群的亚临床甲减患病率显著升高,应加强对其随访和早期防治。     

南京社区人群甲状腺功能亢进症的患病率调查

目的：调查南京社区人群甲状腺功能亢进症（甲亢）的患病率。方法：随机抽取南京某社区的常驻居民1 540 例，分别测定该 人群的空腹血清三碘甲状腺游氨酸（FT3）、促甲状腺激素（TSH）和游离甲状腺素（FT4）的水平。结果：（1）南京社区人群临床甲亢 和亚临床甲亢的患病率分别为1.23%，1.62%。人群中临床甲亢知晓率15.8%。（2）临床甲亢、亚临床甲亢的患病率男女之间比较无 显著性差异（P>0.05）。（3）不论男女，临床甲亢和亚临床甲亢的患病率在不同年龄组间均无差异（P>0.05）。结论：南京社区人群甲 亢患病率较高，人群知晓率低，应注意早期诊治。     

不同剂量口服碘对甲亢患者的治疗效果评价

为探究不同剂量口服碘对甲状腺功能亢进患者的治疗效果与影响,本研究选取荆州市第一人民医院在2011年9月至2015年2月收治的120例甲亢患者,随机分为观察组(n=60)和对照组(n=60),给予观察组患者小剂量口服碘进行治疗,人均剂量为2.85 MBq/g;给予对照组患者大剂量口服碘进行治疗,人均剂量为4.47 MBq/g,观察比较两组患者血清内促甲状腺激素(TSH)、四碘甲状腺原氨酸(T4)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)、三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T3)水平的变化,以此评价甲状腺功能减退的发生率及治疗效果。研究结果显示,观察组患者的总有效率为96.67%,对照组为76.67%;观察组患者甲状腺功能降低的发生率为1.67%,对照组为16.67%,观察组的疗效显著优于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(p0.05)。经治疗后,两组患者血清内的FT3、FT4、T3及T4水平均显著降低,TSH水平明显高,差异具有统计学意义(p0.05),但治疗后观察组和对照组两组患者血清内的T3、T4、FT3、FT4和TSH水平均无显著差异(p0.05)。研究表明,小剂量口服碘能够有效治疗甲状腺功能亢进,且小剂量碘能够降低甲亢的发生率,疗效显著,值得临床广泛应用。     

干预治疗对TPOAb阴性亚甲减孕妇妊娠结局的影响

目的:探讨干预治疗对不同TSH水平的妊娠期亚临床甲减合并甲状腺过氧化物酶(TPOAb)阴性孕妇妊娠结局的影响。方法:回顾性分析2016年1月1日至2016年12月31日在青岛大学附属医院产科分娩孕妇诊断为亚临床甲减且TPOAb阴性的孕妇不良妊娠结局的发生率,根据2011年(S1标准)及2017年(S2标准)美国甲状腺协会(ATA)指南对妊娠合并亚临床甲减推荐诊断的TSH水平不同分组,A组(4 m IU/LTSH10.0 m IU/L)131例,B组(TSH4 m IU/L,在T1期TSH2.5 m IU/L,T2、T3期TSH3.0 m IU/L)326例,根据是否接受左甲状腺素钠片(商品名:优甲乐)治疗,分为治疗组(295例)、未治疗组(194例),同时选取TPOAb阴性且甲状腺功能正常的孕妇(306例)作为对照组。结果:(1)依据S1、S2诊断标准,妊娠合并亚临床甲减的发生率分别为13.57%、3.6%,治疗率分别为39.67%、51.34%,不同诊断标准间比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。(2)A组孕妇中,未治疗组妊娠期高血压疾病、妊娠期糖尿病、妊娠期贫血、流产、早产、胎儿窘迫的发生率均高于治疗组及对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),而治疗组与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。未治疗组胎盘早剥、胎膜早破、胎儿畸形、低体重儿的发生率虽高于治疗组及对照组,但两两比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。(3)B组孕妇未治疗组妊娠期高血压疾病、妊娠期糖尿病、妊娠期贫血、流产、早产、胎儿窘迫、胎盘早剥、胎膜早破、胎儿畸形、低体重儿的发生率虽高于治疗组及对照组,三组及两两比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:对于青岛地区TPOAb阴性的妊娠期亚临床甲减孕妇,4.0 m IU/LTSH10.0 m IU/L时,左甲状腺素钠片治疗能明显改善其不良妊娠结局。     

南京迈皋桥社区人群甲状腺功能减退症的流行研究

目的：研究南京迈皋桥社区人群甲状腺功能减退症（甲减）的流行特征。方法：采用随机整群抽样方法按全国城市人口普查的年龄构成在南京迈皋桥地区抽取≥20岁,5年之内不会动迁的常驻社区居民。采集空腹血清1540份,测定促甲状腺激素（TSH）、三碘甲状腺游氨酸（FT3）、游离甲状腺素（FT4）,甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体（TPOAb）、甲状腺球蛋白抗体（TGAb）。结果：（1）南京迈皋桥地区社区人群的临床甲减和亚临床甲减的患病率分别为0.45%,3.96%。（2）男性亚临床甲减的患病率低于女性（P〈0.01）,临床甲减患病率男女之间无显著差异（P〉0.05）。（3）男性不同年龄段间临床甲减和亚临床甲减的患病率均无差异（P〉0.05）。女性临床甲减的患病率有随年龄增加而升高的趋势（P=0.02）,50岁以上女性亚临床甲减患病率显著增高（P〈0.01）。结论：与临床甲减相比,南京社区人群的亚临床甲减患病率显著升高,应加强对其随访和早期防治。     

妊娠期妇女甲状腺功能的筛查情况及相关影响因素分析

摘要 目的：了解妊娠期妇女甲状腺功能的筛查情况及相关影响因素。方法：以2016年1月~2017年1月在我院接受产前检查的400例孕妇为研究对象,其中早期妊娠78例、中期妊娠146例、晚期妊娠176例,同期健康体检合格妇女120例为对照组。比较妊娠妇女和对照组促甲状腺激素（TSH）、游离T3（FT3）及游离T4（FT4）水平,并分析妊娠合并甲状腺功能异常者妊娠不良结局发生情况,并分析妊娠合并甲状腺功能异常的影响因素。结果：400例孕妇中,亚临床甲减62例、临床甲减5例、亚临床甲亢16例、临床甲亢2例,甲状腺疾病合计85例。孕早期TSH低于孕中期及孕晚期,FT3浓度高于孕中期及孕晚期,FT4浓度高于孕中期及孕晚期,孕中期及孕晚期TSH水平高于对照组,孕中期及孕晚期FT3、FT4浓度低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。不同年龄、流产次数、碘摄入量、吸烟组妊娠合并甲状腺功能异常率差异比较有统计学意义（P<0.05）。Logistic回归分析,年龄≥30岁、流产次数≥2次、碘摄入量≥150 μg/d为妊娠合并甲状腺功能异常发生的独立危险因素。妊娠合并甲状腺功能异常组妊娠不良结局合计率高于妊娠合并甲状腺功能正常组（P<0.05）。结论：加强对妊娠期妇女甲状腺功能的筛查和高危因素的管理能够预防不良妊娠结局,达到优生优育。     

亚临床甲状腺功能减退与动脉粥样硬化的相关性研究

目的:探讨亚临床甲状腺功能减退与动脉粥样硬化的相关性.方法:选择2010年3月至2012年3月我院收治的46例亚临床甲状腺功能减退患者为亚临床甲减组,另选取46例甲状腺功能正常的同期门诊老年体检者为对照组,分析亚临床甲状腺功能减退与动脉粥样硬化的相关性.结果:亚临床甲减组患者的甘油三酯(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平和颈动脉粥样斑块的发生率均显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).多元线性逐步回归分析结果显示颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)与TC、LDL-C及促甲状腺激素(TSH)水平独立相关;FT3、FT4与血脂水平均存在不同程度的负相关,TSH与血脂水平均存在不同程度的正相关(P＜0.05).结论:亚临床甲状腺功能减退时动脉粥样硬化的发生可能与脂代谢异常有关.     

甲功五项化学发光免疫分析的基质效应对临床测值的影响

目的:探索评价基质效应在化学发光免疫分析中对甲状腺功能五项指标的影响。方法:选取甲状腺功能五项高值血清,用10种基质牛血清、马血清、山羊血清、水解明胶、BSA、PBS、生理盐水、正常人血清、甲减人血清、甲亢人血清分别对T3、T4、FT3、FT4、TSH的高值血清进行倍比稀释,观察基质效应,另将10种基质用考马斯亮兰法检测蛋白含量,分析蛋白含量与基质效应的关系。结果:T3项目牛血清、水解明胶、BSA有明显基质效应;T4和FT3项目牛血清、水解明胶、BSA、PBS、生理盐水有明显基质效应;FT4项目牛血清、马血清、水解明胶、BSA、PBS、生理盐水有明显基质效应;TSH项目没有发现基质效应,正常人血清、甲减人血清和甲亢人血清对甲状腺功能五项无基质效应。检测结果显示蛋白含量多少与基质效应无关。结论:人血清基质是用于稀释样本,基质效应最小的液体,针对个体差异性进行的选择,稀释T3、T4、FT3、FT4高值血清选择甲减人血清,稀释TSH高值血清选择甲亢人血清,可以得到较为满意的结果。     

TPOAbIgG亚型在慢性丙型肝炎抗病毒治疗中的分布及其意义

目的:探讨甲状腺功能正常但甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb)阳性的慢性丙型肝炎(CHC)患者干扰素治疗前后血清中TPOAb Ig G1、Ig G2、Ig G3、Ig G4的分布及其意义。方法:收集甲状腺功能正常但TPOAb阳性的CHC患者46例,按应用聚乙二醇干扰素(Peg-IFNα-2a)联合利巴韦林(RBV)抗病毒治疗过程中甲状腺功能(包括FT3、FT4、TSH)情况分为正常组和异常组。采用酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)检测治疗前后患者血清中TPOAb Ig G各亚型的百分结合率,比较两组患者治疗前后TPOAb Ig G亚型的变化,进而分析该变化与合并甲状腺功能异常的相关性。结果:146例TPOAb阳性的CHC患者治疗过程中甲状腺功能异常者为35例,占76.09%,其中甲状腺功能减退(甲减)19例,占41.30%,甲状腺功能亢进(甲亢)3例,占6.52%,亚临床甲减12例,占26.09%,亚临床甲亢1例,占2.17%。2异常组抗病毒治疗前后TPOAb Ig G2亚型阳性率均高于正常组(P值分别为0.005和0.036),TPOAb Ig G1、Ig G3、Ig G4阳性率在正常组和异常组间的差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:伴TPOAb阳性CHC患者应用干扰素治疗前检测其血清中TPOAb Ig G2亚型可预示抗病毒治疗过程中甲状腺功能异常,尤其是甲减及亚临床甲减发生的可能性,有助于指导临床监测和及时检出甲状腺功能异常。     

Screening of geriatric patients for thyroid dysfunction with thyrotropin-releasing-hormone test, sensitive thyrotropin and free thyroxine estimation

Hospitalized geriatric patients (N = 354) from an iodine-deficient area were screened with sensitive thyrotropin (TSH), free and total thyroxine (FT4, T4) and total triiodothyronine (T3) to determine the occurrence rate of clinical and subclinical thyroid dysfunction. The diagnostic value of the tests was compared to each other and to that of the thyrotropin-releasing-hormone test (TRH-test) in order to find the optimal first line screening test in geriatric patients. Clinical hyperthyroidism was found in 13, subclinical hyperthyroidism in 10, overt hypothyroidism in 6 and subclinical hypothyroidism in 8 cases. 20.6% of the patients were euthyroid but had subnormal TSH response to TRH, as a sign of possible thyroid autonomy. The low occurrence rate of clinical thyroid disorders (4.8%) does not justify the screening of geriatric patients in general, but the high probability of thyroid autonomy makes reasonable the investigation of every geriatric patient before iodine administration. Suppressed basal TSH and high FT4 were found to be both sensitive and specific in diagnosing clinical hyperthyroidism, but the predictive value was insufficient; elevated T4 and T3 are specific, but not sensitive. Basal TSH is sensitive, specific and has a good predictive value in diagnosing euthyroidism, whereas normal T4, FT4 or T3 are not specific enough for euthyroidism. Basal TSH is better as a first line test of thyroid function than FT4. A normal basal TSH confirms euthyroidism by itself. Other tests (TRH test, T4, FT4, T3) are necessary to elucidate the clinical importance of a subnormal or suppressed basal TSH.     

Visfatin Levels in Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Alterations in thyroid function are associated with changes in body weight, metabolism, and low-grade inflammation abnormal thyroid function may be associated with disturbances in the production of adipokines also. Although there have been studies showing changes in visfatin levels in thyroid dysfunction, exact relationship between them was still unclear. Our aim was to evaluate serum concentrations of visfatin in patients with subclinical thyroid dysfunction before and after normalization of thyroid function tests. The study included 43 patients (mean age 50.1 ± 10.6 years) with subclinical hypothyroidism. Serum insulin, visfatin, TSH, free T4 (FT4) and free T3 (FT3) levels of subjects were analyzed. Visfatin levels were measured in all patients before starting therapy and after normalization of thyroid function. Serum visfatin levels of subclinical hypothyroid patients were 0.99 ± 0.45 and they were similar after normalization of thyroid function (p = 0.394). Serum visfatin levels were negatively correlated with FT4 levels before treatment (r = ?0.329 p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between serum levels of visfatin and the serum levels of TSH and FT3. Serum visfatin levels did not correlate with insulin, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In this study, it was shown visfatin levels did not change after replacement therapy in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. Subclinical hypothyroid state may be an earlier stage regarding the changes of adipocytokines specifically the visfatin secretion as seen in overt hypothyroidism.     

Color-Flow Doppler Sonography in Patients with Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunction

ObjectiveTo assess the value of color-flow Doppler sonography (CFDS) in evaluating intrathyroidal blood flow and velocity in patients with subclinical thyroid dysfunction.MethodsIn this prospective study, patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism, and euthyroid patients without known thyroid autoimmune disease who served as controls were included. Subclinical thyroid dysfunction was defined as normal serum free thyroxine (FT₄) and free triiodothyronine (FT₃) in the presence of high (subclinical hypothyroidism), or lowsuppressed (subclinical hyperthyroidism) serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels. Serum FT₄, FT₃, TSH, and antibodies to thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin were measured in all participants. In addition, TSH receptor antibody levels were determined in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism. All participants underwent conventional sonography and CFDS. Mean peak systolic velocity (PSV) and resistive index were obtained from multiple extranodular thyroid parenchyma samplings and inferior thyroid artery measurements.ResultsThe study population included 27 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, 15 patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism, and 20 euthyroid patients. Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism had significantly higher mean intrathyroidal PSV values than control patients (19.9 ± 5.6 cm/s vs 15.7 ± 4.4 cm/s; P = .008), whereas patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism had significantly higher mean PSV values than control patients at the inferior thyroid artery level (29.7 ± 10.7 cm/s vs 21.9 ± 6.8 cm/s; P = .014). Compared with control patients, a greater proportion of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism had marked CFDS patterns (78% vs 15% [P <.001] and 53% vs 15%; [P <.001], respectively). A significant association was found between positivity for thyroid autoantibodies and intense CFDS patterns. No correlation was found between TSH or thyroid hormone levels and CFDS pattern or blood flow velocity.ConclusionWe have demonstrated that significantly increased thyroid blood flow velocity and vascularity are already present in patients with mild thyroid dysfunction.(Endocr Pract. 2010;16:376-381)     

Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunction and Cognitive Decline in Old Age

Background

Subclinical thyroid dysfunction has been implicated as a risk factor for cognitive decline in old age, but results are inconsistent. We investigated the association between subclinical thyroid dysfunction and cognitive decline in the PROspective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER).

Methods

Prospective longitudinal study of men and women aged 70–82 years with pre-existing vascular disease or more than one risk factor to develop this condition (N = 5,154). Participants taking antithyroid medications, thyroid hormone supplementation and/or amiodarone were excluded. Thyroid function was measured at baseline: subclinical hyper- and hypothyroidism were defined as thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH) <0.45 mU/L or >4.50 mU/L respectively, with normal levels of free thyroxine (FT4). Cognitive performance was tested at baseline and at four subsequent time points during a mean follow-up of 3 years, using five neuropsychological performance tests.

Results

Subclinical hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism were found in 65 and 161 participants, respectively. We found no consistent association of subclinical hyper- or hypothyroidism with altered cognitive performance compared to euthyroid participants on the individual cognitive tests. Similarly, there was no association with rate of cognitive decline during follow-up.

Conclusion

We found no consistent evidence that subclinical hyper- or hypothyroidism contribute to cognitive impairment or decline in old age. Although our data are not in support of treatment of subclinical thyroid dysfunction to prevent cognitive dysfunction in later life, only large randomized controlled trials can provide definitive evidence.     

Subclinical hypothyroidism in HIV-infected patients is not an autoimmune disease

AIMS AND METHODS: A study of 350 HIV+ patients in our region showed that 16% suffered from hypothyroidism. Twenty-two HIV+ hypothyroid patients (10 with subclinical hypothyroidism, 12 with low FT4 levels (LT4) (confirmed by a dialysis equilibrium assay) and 22 HIV+ euthyroid controls receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapy were included in an additional study. RESULTS: No goiter or anti-thyroid antibodies were detected. Use of stavudine was more frequent in the LT4 subgroup (p < 0.01) and subclinical hypothyroidism group (p = 0.04). Use of didanosine (OR, 12.5, p < 0.01) and ritonavir (OR, 33.0, p < 0.01) was more frequent in the LT4 subgroup, with a greater didanosine cumulative dose (616.7 mg [180.0, 1,260.0] vs. 263.7 [63.0, 948.0], p = 0.01). Reverse T3, binding protein levels, the TSH response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone, urinary iodine, plasma selenium and thiocyanate levels did not differ. IFNgamma levels were lower in the subclinical hypothyroidism group (pg/ml) (9.1 [0.0, 22.7] vs. 19.5 [0.0, 40.9], p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: None of the investigated mechanisms are able to explain the occurrence of hypothyroidism in HIV patients receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapy except the anti-retroviral treatment. In light of the absence of autoimmunity, the normal adenohypophysis and thyroid responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone, central hypothyroidism is suspected and could explain LT4 and high TSH levels. Underlying mechanisms need further exploration.     

The Association Between Body Mass Index and Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunction in Different Sexes of Chinese

Objective: To study subclinical thyroid dysfunction (SCTD)—subclinical hyperthyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism—in Chinese patients in relation to body mass index (BMI) and to determine whether a difference between sexes exists.Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 13,503 healthy participants (8,345 male, 5,158 female) who participated in a health examination. Clinical data, including anthropometric measurements and serum parameters, were collected. The association between SCTD and the BMI of each sex was analyzed separately by stratifying the data by SCTD type and regarding BMI as a categorical or as a continuous variable in different models. The odds ratio of SCTD was calculated from binary logistic regression models.Results: The prevalence of both subclinical hyperthyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism was significantly lower in males compared to females. For subclinical hypothyroidism, we found no significant association with BMI in females. In males, there was a significant negative relationship between BMI and subclinical hypothyroidism. For subclinical hyperthyroidism, we did not find any significant relationship with BMI in either sex after stratifying the data and treating BMI as a categorical or as a continuous variable.Conclusion: For subclinical hyperthyroidism, no significant effect was found in either sex. For subclinical hypothyroidism, high BMI was associated with lower rates of subclinical hypothyroidism in males, and no significant correlation was found in females. The mechanism of this sex-specific association between BMI and SCTD needs more verification.Abbreviations: ALT = alanine aminotransferase; AST = aspartate aminotransferase; BMI = body mass index; BUN = blood urea nitrogen; CI = confidence interval; Cr = creatinine; DBP = diastolic blood pressure; FG = fasting glucose; FT3 = free triiodothyronine; FT4 = free thyroxine; HDL = high-density lipoprotein; LDL = low-density lipoprotein; OR = odds ratio; SBP = systolic blood pressure; SCTD = subclinical thyroid dysfunction; TBIL = total bilirubin; TC = total cholesterol; TG = triglyceride; TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone; UA = uric acid; WBC = white blood cell; WC = waist circumference     

Graves' ophthalmopathy and subclinical hypothyroidism: diagnostic value of the thyrotropin releasing hormone test.

Five patients with Graves'' ophthalmopathy and no previously documented clinical or laboratory evidence of hyperthyroidism were studied. Their serum levels of thyroxine and triiodothyronine (T3) and their T3 uptake were normal. Although the baseline serum level of thyrotropin (TSH) was normal in two patients, it was increased on the other three, and when TSH releasing hormone (TRH) was administered the T3 response was impaired in three patients and the TSH response was exaggerated in all five. These findings facilitated the diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism and distinguished the patients from those with Graves'' ophthalmopathy and normal thyroid function or subclinical hyperthyroidism. Thyroid antibodies were detected in the serum of four of the five patients, suggesting the coexistence of chronic autoimmune thyroiditis; this disorder could account in part for the subclinical hypothyroidism, which was even present in the two patients in whom thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin was found in the serum. These observations indicate the value of a TRH stimulation test in detecting subclinical hypothyroidism in patients with Graves'' ophthalmopathy who appear from clinical and routine laboratory studies to have normal thyroid function but could have normal function or subclinical hyperthyroidism.