A patient with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) may be at increased risk for hypothyroidism. Antonelli et al identified predictors for hypothyroidism. The authors are from University of Pisa and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy.
Patient selection: female patient with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
Predictors for hypothyroidism:
(1) initial serum TSH concentration borderline high
(2) present of anti-thyroperoxidase antibody
(3) small thyroid volume
(4) hypoechoic thyroid on ultrasonography
The risk for hypothyroidism increases with the number of predictors present.
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