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Evaluation of a new strategy for detection of thyroid dysfunction in the routine laboratory
1Department of Medical Biochemistry, University Hospital of Wales, Health Park, Cardiff, U.K.
Clinical Chemistry
|June 1, 1988
Abstract:
We assessed the use of a new strategy for detecting thyroid disorders, utilizing a sensitive assay for concentrations of thyrotropin (TSH) and free thyroid hormone in serum as follow-up tests. Of 1279 patients who were not on thyroxin (T4) replacement treatment, 82% could be classified as euthyroid and would require no further tests. In patients who were on T4 replacement, 41% fell into the euthyroid category and would require no further tests. Using this strategy to replace our existing strategy of free thyroxin as a "first-line" test would reduce the proportion of patients who would require one or more follow-up tests from 49% to 24%.