"Overt hypothyroidism" refers to a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and depression. It is called "overt" because the symptoms are clearly evident and the diagnosis can be easily made.
Full definition
Results showed that alcohol, actually, decreases the risk of the development
of overt hypothyroidism in subjects who were considered susceptible to develop AITD.
The researchers suggest that a high soy diet (16 mg / day or more) may
precipitate overt hypothyroidism for female patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and that soy intake should be monitored with caution in this population.
TPO antibodies and TSH levels are strongly associated with progression of subclinical hypothyroidism to overt hypothyroidism [3], as can be see in Table 3 below:
One study on subclinical hypothyroidism patients (no symptoms) showed a 360 percent increased risk in
developing overt hypothyroidism, with increased TSH and reduced T4 levels.
As many as 5 % of people with subclinical hypothyroidism will progress to
overt hypothyroidism each year.
If left untreated, Hashimoto's thyroiditis can cause further complications, including changes in menstrual cycles, prevention of ovulation, an increased risk of miscarriage, progression to
overt hypothyroidism, and is associated with a slightly increased risk of thyroid cancer.
The exception is that some endocrinologists do believe that treating your thyroid antibodies, even when other levels are normal, may help prevent increases in antibody levels or progression to
overt hypothyroidism.
There is also evidence that thyroid hormone replacement may prevent progression to
overt hypothyroidism.
Research findings, however, support the understanding that Hashimoto's thyroiditis — an autoimmune disease that causes hypothyroidism — may, in fact, be preventable, slowed, or even stopped entirely before it progresses to destruction of your thyroid gland and
overt hypothyroidism.
Prediction of progression to
overt hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism in female relatives of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease using the Thyroid Events Amsterdam (THEA) score.
From the Netherlands, we have a prospective observational study looking at whether the female relatives of 790 autoimmune thyroid disease patients would progress to
overt hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism [22].
More than adequate and excessive iodine was associated with increased risk for subclinical and
overt hypothyroidism.