Subclinical endocrine disorders: a brief overview of risks, diagnosis, and workup of these disorders

Abstract

Introduction Subclinical endocrine disorders are entities of mild degrees of endocrine dysfunction with no recognizable clinical findings. Objectives To shed light on up-to-date information on subclinical endocrine disorders and provide a brief overview of the risks, diagnosis, and workup of these disorders. Materials and methods We searched reference electronic databases, especially ScienceDirect, The Lancet, and Medscape, in the title of the article with the key words mentioned; extraction was carried out, including assessment of the quality and the validity of papers. Studies on subclinical disorders of each gland were collected; each study was reviewed independently. The data obtained were rebuilt in new language and divided into topics throughout the article. Recent findings There is strong evidence supporting the evolution of subclinical entities of various endocrine disorders. Some of these entities may behave as clinical ones, with possible adverse effects on body systems; thus, some symptoms may manifest soon, whereas others may be discovered accidently during routine laboratory and radiological investigations and they require careful periodic follow-up. Conclusion Subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical Cushing's syndrome are well-known disorders. There have been advancements in early detection using screening programs and cases of these disorders. There is also evidence supporting their negative impact on cardiovascular morbidity and quality of life. Large-scale randomized-controlled trials are needed to inform how to best care for these and to gain more knowledge of these disorders.