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

Authors
Wardle, CA Fraser, WD Squire, CR
Citation
Ca. Wardle et al., Pitfalls in the use of thyrotropin concentration as a first-line thyroid-function test, LANCET, 357(9261), 2001, pp. 1013-1014
Citations number
5
Categorie Soggetti
General & Internal Medicine","Medical Research General Topics
Journal title
LANCET
ISSN journal
01406736 → ACNP
Volume
357
Issue
9261
Year of publication
2001
Pages
1013 - 1014
Database
ISI
SICI code
0140-6736(20010331)357:9261<1013:PITUOT>2.0.ZU;2-O
Abstract
Measurement of thyrotropin concentration alone as a first-line thyroid-func tion 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 un suspected hypopituitarism were detected, indicating that the occurrence of hypopituitarism might be underestimated.