Pitfalls in the use of thyrotropin concentration as a first-line thyroid-function test.

Abstract

Measurement of thyrotropin concentration alone as a first-line thyroid-function test fails to indicate hypopituitarism in a number of patients. Using a combination of thyrotropin and thyroxine assays, we analysed 56,000 tests for a population of 471,000 over 12 months. 15 patients with clinically unsuspected hypopituitarism were detected, indicating that the occurrence of hypopituitarism might be underestimated.

• Authors: C A Wardle, W D Fraser, C R Squire
• Journal: Lancet (London, England) (Lancet) Vol. 357 Issue 9261 Pg. 1013-4 (Mar 31 2001) ISSN: 0140-6736 [Print] England
• PMID: 11293597 (Publication Type: Letter)

Chemical References

• Thyrotropin
• Thyroxine

Topics

• Aged
• Female
• Humans
• Hypopituitarism (diagnosis)
• Hypothyroidism (diagnosis)
• Male
• Prospective Studies
• Thyroid Function Tests
• Thyrotropin (blood)
• Thyroxine (blood)