Investigating Investigation (Ab)Use: Thyroid Function Test Audit in a Tertiary Care Teaching Institute in Eastern...

An essential component of contemporary health care is laboratory testing. As the utilization of diagnostic tests grow, there is also an increase in the scrutiny of such tests for its effectiveness, balance of cost and over- utilization. Thyroid dysfunction is common across all age groups and is associated with a number of comorbid states. The thyroid function tests (TFTs) are very important for the diagnosis and monitoring of such patients. The guidelines recommend serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) as the single most reliable test to diagnose all common forms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, except in few cases. This study was conducted to study the investigation requesting pattern of TFTs. Our results showed that TFT panel was ordered in almost equal numbers (35.58%) as single test of TSH (41.27%). Subclinical thyroid disease was diagnosed in 22.1% of cases and the rest were excluded as having any thyroid dysfunction. Over 2/3rd of all requests were for women. An important conclusion from our study was that, the essentiality of lab tests is a decision entirely in the hands of the treating physician keeping in mind the cost and best outcome for patients. Hospitals can develop strategic protocols for ordering laboratory tests keeping resources, need and patient satisfaction and outcomes optimal.