Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
08:33
An Ex vivo Culture System to Study Thyroid Development
Published on: June 6, 2014
Correlation between cytology and thyroid function test
C K Sang1, C S Kigondu, L Muchiri
1Department of Dental Health, School of Medicine, Moi University, P.O. Box 4606, Eldoret, Kenya.
East African Medical Journal
|February 22, 2007
Summary
This study found no correlation between thyroid hormone levels (T4, T3, TSH) and fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic findings in patients with thyroid nodules. Thyroid function tests and FNA results were analyzed, revealing no significant statistical differences across diagnostic groups.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cytopathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Thyroid dysfunction is assessed via serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), tri-iodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) levels.
- Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is crucial for differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between serum thyroid hormone levels and FNA cytologic findings.
- To determine if hormonal status influences the cytological diagnosis of thyroid nodules.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted at Kenyatta National Hospital.
- Thyroid profiles (TSH, T3, T4) of 42 patients were correlated with their FNA cytologic diagnoses.
Main Results:
- Nodular goiter was the most common FNA diagnosis (83.3%).
- No statistically significant differences in mean T4, T3, or TSH levels were observed between or within FNA diagnostic groups.
- Patients with various FNA diagnoses, including papillary carcinoma and non-diagnostic samples, predominantly showed euthyroid hormonal profiles.
Conclusions:
- There is no demonstrable correlation between T4, T3, and TSH measurements and FNA cytologic diagnoses.
- Thyroid hormone levels do not appear to be significantly associated with the cytological characteristics of thyroid nodules in this cohort.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones
Low blood levels of the thyroid hormones — triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) — signal the hypothalamus to release the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH then reaches the pituitary gland and stimulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) into the bloodstream.
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The iodine is then...
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The iodine is then...
01:18Functions of Thyroid Hormones
The thyroid hormone (TH) plays a pivotal role in the intricate orchestration of physiological processes, exerting profound effects on development, metabolism, and homeostasis throughout different life stages.
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...
01:23The Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck and covers the anterior surface of the trachea. The gland has two lateral lobes connected by a thin tissue mass called the isthmus. Internally, each lobe comprises many small spherical structures known as thyroid follicles, surrounded by a network of blood vessels.
The follicles have a central cavity lined by simple cuboidal to squamous epithelial cells called follicular cells. These cells produce the glycoprotein...
The follicles have a central cavity lined by simple cuboidal to squamous epithelial cells called follicular cells. These cells produce the glycoprotein...
01:23Hypothyroidism II: Pathophysiology
Hypothyroidism is a disorder characterized by insufficient production of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, energy balance, and multiple organ systems.TypesHypothyroidism is classified based on the level of dysfunction. Primary hypothyroidism results from intrinsic thyroid gland dysfunction, causing reduced hormone production despite normal or increased stimulation. Secondary hypothyroidism arises from inadequate thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion by the pituitary. Tertiary...
01:27Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology
Hyperthyroidism is a hypermetabolic state caused by elevated levels of thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). It results from dysregulation at the thyroid, pituitary, or immune system level and affects multiple organ systems.PathophysiologyThe most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies, specifically thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TSAb), a subtype of TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb), bind to and activate TSH receptors...
01:15Receiver Operating Characteristic Plot
A ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) plot is a graphical tool used to assess the performance of a binary classification model by illustrating the trade-off between sensitivity (true positive rate) and specificity (false positive rate). By plotting sensitivity against 1 - specificity across various threshold settings, the ROC curve shows how well the model distinguishes between classes, with a curve closer to the top-left corner indicating a more accurate model. The area under the ROC curve...