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Thyroid Hormone Insufficiency

Meaning

A clinical state where the circulating levels of active thyroid hormones, primarily triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), are inadequate to meet the metabolic demands of the peripheral tissues, resulting in systemic hypometabolism. This insufficiency can range from overt hypothyroidism, characterized by high TSH, to subtle subclinical or cellular hypothyroidism, which may not always be reflected in standard lab panels but manifests with symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance. Restoration of euthyroid status is essential for overall hormonal and metabolic health.