ORIGINAL PAPER Efficacy of homeopathic intervention in subclinical hypothyroidism with or without autoimmune thyroiditis in children: an exploratory randomized control study Vijay K Chauhan 1 , Raj K Manchanda 2, *, Archana Narang 1 , Raman K Marwaha 3 , Saurav Arora 2 , Latika Nagpal 1 , Surender K Verma 4 and V Sreenivas 5 1 Dr. B. R. Sur Homoeopathic Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, New Delhi, India 2 Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, India 3 Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, New Delhi, India 4 Directorate of Indian System of Medicine & Homeopathy, Government of NCT of Delhi, New Delhi, India 5 All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India Introduction: The decision to treat subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) with or without autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) in children, presents a clinical dilemma. This study was un- dertaken to evaluate the efficacy of individualized homeopathy in these cases. Methods: The study is an exploratory, randomized, placebo controlled, single blind trial. Out of 5059 school children (06e18 years) screened for thyroid disorders, 537 chil- dren had SCH/AIT and 194 consented to participate. Based on primary outcome mea- sures (TSH and/or antiTPOab) three major groups were formed: Group A e SCH + AIT (n = 38; high TSH with antiTPOab+), Group B e AIT (n = 47; normal TSH with antiTPOab+) and Group C e SCH (n = 109; only high TSH) and were further randomized to two subgroups-verum and control. Individualized homeopathy or identical placebo was given to respective subgroup. 162 patients completed 18 months of study. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar in all the subgroups. The post treatment serum TSH (Group A and C) returned to normal limits in 85.94% of verum and 64.29% of controls (p < 0.006), while serum AntiTPOab titers (Group A and B) returned within normal limits in 70.27%of verum and 27.02%controls (p < 0.05). Eight children (10.5%) progressed to overt hypothyroidism (OH) from control group. Conclusion: A statistically significant decline in serum TSH values and antiTPOab titers indicates that the homeopathic intervention has not only the potential to treat SCH with or without antiTPOab but may also prevent progression to OH. Homeopathy (2014) 103, 224e231. Keywords: Autoimmune thyroiditis; Subclinical hypothyroidism; Overt hypothyroidism; Anti TPO antibody; Individualized homeopathy *Correspondence: Raj K Manchanda, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), 61-65, Institutional Area, Opposite D Block, Janakpuri, New Delhi 110059, India. E-mail: vkchauhan2002@gmail.com, rkmanchanda@gmail.com, shmc.thyroidclinic@gmail.com, drachana72@yahoo.co.in, marwaha_ramank@hotmail.com, dr.saurav.arora@gmail.com, latika.doc@gmail.com, ddhomoeopathy@yahoo.co.in, sreenivas_vishnu@yahoo.com Received 12 February 2014; revised 14 August 2014; accepted 26 August 2014 Homeopathy (2014) 103, 224e231 Ó 2014 The Faculty of Homeopathy http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.homp.2014.08.004, available online at http://www.sciencedirect.com