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Updated: Oct 1, 2025

Author Spotlight: In Vivo Assessment of Thyroid Hormone Disruption Using the THAI Mouse Model
Published on: October 6, 2023
Biomarkers indicating tissue thyroid hormone status: ready to be implemented yet?
Heleen I Jansen1,2, Eveline Bruinstroop3, Annemieke C Heijboer1,2
1Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Currently, thyroid hormone status is predominantly determined by the measurement of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine. Although it is assumed that serum thyroid hormone (TH) concentrations within the reference range represent euthyroidism, it is unknown whether this reflects euthyroidism in all tissues (e.g. brain, muscle, bone and liver). To date, no serum marker has been established for clinical use that represents TH status within tissues accurately. However, several biomarkers have been investigated and innovative techniques have been used to unravel new biomarkers. This review provides an overview of proposed serum biomarkers that reflect tissue TH status in humans. Furthermore, we discuss the feasibility of these serum markers in clinical practice.
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