"Subclinical hypothyroidism" is not always a forerunner of primary hypothyroidism. Two distinct populations evolve: (1) those with true preclinical or subclinical hypothyroidism, which may be predicted by the presence of one of the well-known etiologic factors responsible for onset of primary hypothyroidism, and (2) euthyroidism with reset thyrostat--a permanent state without a definitive progression to hypothyroidism, most probably secondary to a previous subtle insult to the thyroid gland.
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