The association between clinical and laboratory parameters in thyroid disease and nonthyroidal illness in young women.

OBJECTIVE

Evidence from epidemiological and clinical studies strongly suggest that young women in the preconception period are a group at risk for thyroid disorders which may lead to further aggravation of pre-existing chronic thyroid disease and complications during pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This paper is a literature review focusing on articles published in English between 2014-2017 searched in Medline database using terms 'young women', 'subclinical hyperthyroidism', 'subclinical hypothyroidism', 'nonthyroidal illness syndrome', 'obesity', 'depression'.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical assessment of young female patient including that of obtaining full medical history with a focus on the perceived changes in appearance, psychological symptoms and menstrual irregularities supported by laboratory tests indicative of metabolic status and characteristic changes in thyroid functions, may be the key to well-reasoned and justified individual therapeutic decisions.