亚临床甲状腺机能减退这一术语虽尚未得到公认,但已广泛用于叙述无明显甲状腺机能减退症状和体征的病人,这些人促甲状腺激素(TSH)升高,但总甲状腺素或游离甲状腺素(T4)值正常。为了维持正常的循环甲状腺激素浓度需要增加TSH 的分泌量,这表明病人的一种代偿状态。T4通常低于TSH正常的人,其三碘甲状腺素(T3)的浓度无明显差异,这表明活性更强的T3优先分泌。 Although the term subclinical hypothyroidism has not been universally recognized, it has been used extensively to describe patients with no obvious hypothyroidism and signs of elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), but total thyroxine or free thyroxine T4) value is normal. In order to maintain a normal circulating thyroid hormone concentration need to increase the secretion of TSH, which indicates that the patient’s a compensatory state. There was no significant difference in the concentration of triiodothyronine (T3) between T4 and those with normal TSH, suggesting that the more active T3 is preferentially secreted.