Medically not yet explained symptoms in hypothyroidism

Abstract

Persistent symptoms are common in the general population and even more so in people with hypothyroidism. When symptoms are unexplained and brought to medical attention, they can be referred to as medically not yet explained symptoms (MNYES), a term preferred to other descriptors by patients, care-givers and experts. MNYES might be neglected by endocrinologists or misattributed to hypothyroidism. Awareness of MNYES could open up more effective and less harmful interventions for patients who present to endocrinologists with unexplained symptoms than costly over-investigations and over-treatment with thyroid hormones (such as levothyroxine and liothyronine). The role of the endocrinologist is to recognize and acknowledge that MNYES could be underlying a patient’s presentation, to communicate effectively with the patient and others involved in the patient’s care, to apply a ‘two-track approach’ in management by paying equal attention to physical and psychosocial contributors, and to collaborate with other relevant health professionals. Categorization of patients into levels of risk for symptom deterioration helps in selecting suitable therapies. Effective management of MNYES demands time, training, expertise and resources. Medically not yet explained symptoms (MNYES) are an important consideration in patients treated for hypothyroidism who experience persistent symptoms. This Perspective brings attention to the issue of MNYES in hypothyroidism and considers effective management.