The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against screening for thyroid dysfunction in nonpregnant, asymptomatic adults. The recommendations are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Thyroid gland disorders are among the most common endocrine conditions evaluated and treated by clinicians and may be asymptomatic. If left untreated, thyroid dysfunction could lead to fractures, cancer, or cardiovascular disease. Researchers reviewed randomized controlled trials and observational studies of screening and treatment published through July 2014 to inform an updated recommendation. No trials directly assessed the benefits and harms of screening for thyroid dysfunction versus no screening. While screening can identify patients with subclinical thyroid dysfunction or undiagnosed overt thyroid disease, the researchers concluded that more evidence is needed to understand the effects of treatment. The USPSTF did find adequate evidence that screening for and treatment of thyroid dysfunction in nonpregnant, asymptomatic adults does not improve quality of life or provide clinically meaningful improvements in blood pressure, body mass index, bone mineral density, or lipid levels, and does not improve cognitive function.
A systematic review1 of published evidence was published in October in Annals of Internal Medicine. In 2004, the USPSTF found insufficient evidence to recommend for or against routine thyroid screening in asymptomatic adults. A draft recommendation statement on screening for thyroid dysfunction was posted to the USPSTF website for public comment at USPreventiveServicesTaskforce.org.