Clinical Practice Recommendations for Assessment and Management of Hypothyroidism

Abstract

Hypothyroidism is a common disorder, potentially severe, often clinically ignored, easily diagnosed by laboratory tests, and highly treatable. It may cause chronic illnesses if left untreated. Saudi Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SSEM) assembled a panel of twelve endocrinologists with experience in thyroid diseases in adults and children and made up a task force. An initial concept proposal that included types of hypothyroidism, population, scope, and prevalence in Saudi Arabia was obtained. The proposal was divided into several topics discussed in February 2022. The panel approved that the consensus will include all types of hypothyroidism in Saudi Arabia, screening, diagnosis, management, and special population. A literature review was carried out. Most of the latest international guidelines were screened in Europe and USA. The literature search was completed in March 2022. They drafted a report that was distributed to the entire panel. Approval of the recommendations required consensus, defined as a majority approval. The recommendations were revised to accommodate any differences of opinion until a consensus was reached. Recommendations were finally formulated on April 2022. Subsequently, the panel reviewed and discussed the supporting rationale of the revised recommendations. This article presents these practical recommendations.