DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sasjm.2026.v12i05.008

Pages: 409-411

Primary disorders of the thyroid gland are a common presentation in both primary and secondary care and are typically identified through abnormalities in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine levels. Central hypothyroidism (also referred to as secondary or tertiary hypothyroidism) is a relatively rare disorder and usually arises from anatomical or functional disorders of the pituitary and / or the hypothalamus glands. This results in reduced (or inappropriately normal) TSH secretion and consequently decreased thyroid hormone production (Beck-Peccoz et al., 2017). Patients present with symptoms similar to those of primary hypothyroidism including fatigue, weight gain, intolerance of cold, depressive mood changes, dry skin and hair loss (Leung, 2023). This review discusses the presentation, diagnosis and management of central hypothyroidism.