Screening for thyroid disease in asymptomatic adults who are not pregnant is a common clinical practice. A single brand of thyroid hormone is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States. According to the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), there is insufficient evidence to document that thyroid screening leads to any clinically important benefits. Therefore, USPSTF does not recommend this practice (published online March 23 Annals of Internal Medicine). In contrast, they stated there was indirect evidence that screening increases the likelihood of harm due to frequent false positive results.
This recommendation does not apply to patients exhibiting symptoms suggestive of thyroid disease.