Does this qualify as an oxymoron?

[vocalEK]

Saw this phrase today and had to chuckle: "symptomatic subclinical hypothyroidism".

Exemestane-Induced Subclinical Hypothyroidism. A Case Report

By Elias Mazokopakis, ANASTASIOS MILKAS academia.edu/9113720/Exemes...

Why an oxymoron? Definition of subclinical: "relating to or denoting a disease which is not severe enough to present definite or readily observable symptoms."

So if you have symptoms, how can the condition be "subclinical"?

Concerned about the surgeon's recommendation that I take an aromatase inhibitor to reduce the odds of a pre-cancerous condition (atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH)) progressing to breast cancer, I looked up "effect of aromatase inhibitors on thyroid functioning".

I'm leaning toward "No, thanks." I am just now beginning to get my hypothyroid symptoms under control. I am 73 years old. Do I want to spend the next 5 years of my life suffering from worsening fatigue brought on by the same (or worse) vasomotor symptoms that, 20 years ago, I began taking Menopausal Hormone Therapy to eliminate? How much fun is chronic insomnia? And would I love regaining the 30 pounds that I just spent 2 years foregoing carbohydrates to shed? Finally, who needs hair, anyway? Maybe I'll just have it all shaved off and tell people that I'm undergoing chemo (which would not strictly be a lie, would it?)

On the other hand, maybe I'll just take my chances that, hopefully, I will be among the 95% of women with ADH who do not proceed to breast cancer without "chemo."

[greygoose]

I've been questioning subclinical diagnoses for a long time, but that just one of the words doctors don't really seem to know how to use. For the most part, they use 'subclinical' to mean a TSH of between the top of the range and 10 - which is pretty weird and illogical in itself. What's the point of having a range if the result has to be 5+ points above it before they will take it seriously? It's just all part of the conspiracy…

[Angel_of_the_North]

Hmm, subclinical has come to mean "we know you are ill, but can't be bothered to treat you" unless your TSH is a tiny amount under range and then we'll give you carbi even if you have no symptoms. Over range? Who cares!