Interpretation of thyroid function tests

The introduction of sensitive thyrotropin assays and free thyroid hormone measurements has simplified the interpretation of thyroid function tests. However, important pitfalls and difficult cases still exist. In this review, thyroid function test results are grouped into six different patterns. We p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	The Lancet (British edition) 2001-02, Vol.357 (9256), p.619-624
Main Author:	Dayan, Colin M
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Biological and medical sciences Diagnostic Errors Endocrinology Hormones Humans Hyperthyroidism Hypothyroidism Illnesses Immunoglobulins Investigations Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects) Laboratories Laboratory tests Medical diagnosis Medical sciences Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques Proteins Reproducibility of Results Tests Thyroid Thyroid diseases Thyroid Diseases - diagnosis Thyroid Function Tests - methods Thyroid gland Thyroid-stimulating hormone Thyroxine Triiodothyronine
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Summary:	The introduction of sensitive thyrotropin assays and free thyroid hormone measurements has simplified the interpretation of thyroid function tests. However, important pitfalls and difficult cases still exist. In this review, thyroid function test results are grouped into six different patterns. We propose that if assays for thyrotropin, free T3, and free T4 are all done, knowledge of these patterns coupled with clinical details and simple additional tests allow a diagnosis to be made in almost all cases.
ISSN:	0140-6736 1474-547X