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Utility of thyroid function screening in adolescent psychiatric inpatients
R J Leo1, J M Batterman-Faunce, D Pickhardt
1Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo 14215, USA.
Summary
Routine thyroid screening in adolescent psychiatric inpatients is often unnecessary. Thyroid function tests may be spuriously abnormal, and screening is not recommended unless physical symptoms are present.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Psychiatry
- Adolescent Medicine
Background:
- Thyroid function abnormalities are linked to psychiatric symptoms.
- The necessity of thyroid screening in adolescent psychiatric inpatients requires examination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical utility of routine thyroid function screening in adolescent psychiatric inpatients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 196 first-time adolescent psychiatric admissions.
- Analysis of demographics, thyroid testing, thyroid disease history, and substance use.
- Review of thyroid test results for abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Thyroid function tests were performed on 150 patients.
- 52 patients had abnormal results, mostly isolated thyroxine (T4) or triiodothyronine uptake (T3U) abnormalities.
- Only a few patients met criteria for hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, with some normalizing later; none were symptomatic or required treatment.
Conclusions:
- Routine thyroid screening in adolescent psychiatric inpatients may yield spurious abnormalities.
- Thyroid function testing is generally unwarranted unless patients exhibit physical signs or symptoms of thyroid disease.