Use of myo-inositol in treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism

Introduction Myo-inositol is a widely researched compound that is prevalent in nature. Its properties have been thoroughly analyzed, and its role in transduction of hormonal signal in cells has been proven. It is an important substrate for the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate, which is then broken down by phospholipase C, resulting in the activation of various cellular cascades. Due to this fact, this substance has been found to have many clinical applications, such as PCOS, diabetes, fertility disorders and neurological disorders. The use of myo-inositol in the treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism has been proposed due to the fact that the TSH receptor activates the aforementioned cascade, resulting in numerous clinical studies investigating the applications of this molecule in this condition.Aim. The aim of this study is to review the current knowledge regarding the impact of myo-inositol supplementation on subclinical hypothyroidism.Materials and methods. A search of PubMed and Google Scholar was carried out. Only studies concerning the use of myo-inositol on subclinical hypothyroidism were included, while studies investigating only overt hypothyroidism, euthyroidism, or other illnesses without subclinical hypothyroidism were excluded.Results. All of the studies discussed in this review show that supplementation with myo-inositol helps to reduce TSH levels, anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), and improves the overall health of patients, while being a relatively safe compound with only a few negligible side effects. Conclusion. Myo-inositol is a safe and reliable compound that can be used in the treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism. In the future it may be used as a first line treatment for this disorder.