Most elderly patients with subclinical hypothyroidism do not need to be treated

The article “Most elderly patients with subclinical hypothyroidism do not need to be treated” by Risheng Xu, DO, Nicola Abate, MD, Nalini Ram, MD, and Kristina Little, MD (Cleve Clin J Med 2025; 92(4):221–231, doi:10.3949/ccjm.92a.24098) contained an error. On page 228, footnote b for Figure 1 should read as follows: Oral levothyroxine daily is the treatment of choice. For patients without cardiac disease, 1.5 μg/kg/day should be used. For elderly patients with cardiac disease, a dose of 25–50 μg/day is recommended. Increase dose by 12.5 to 25 μg/day every 2 to 3 weeks. Target TSH range is 0.4 to 2.5 mIU/L.

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Figure 1

Flow chart for clinical decision-making in subclinical hypothyroidism.

^aRisk factors: TPOAb-positive, goiter, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, or associated risk factors for these diseases.

^bOral levothyroxine daily is the treatment of choice. For patients without cardiac disease, 1.5 μg/kg/day should be used. For elderly patients with cardiac disease, a dose of 25–50 μg/day is recommended. Increase dose by 12.5 to 25 μg/day every 2 to 3 weeks. Target TSH range is 0.4 to 2.5 mIU/L

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