In-depth analysis showed that serum LncRNA-PAX8-AS1 expression was markedly downregulated with a median fold change = 0.073 and 0.611 (P < 0.0001 for each) in clinical and subclinical hypothyroid patients, respectively compared with that in the healthy controls, with serum lncRNA-PAX8-AS1 recorded significantly lower levels in clinical hypothyroid patients than those in the subclinical hypothyroid patients (P < 0.0001) (Fig. 1B). The gene discussed is PAX8; the disease is hypothyroidism.