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Published on: November 21, 2013
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.
Objective:
Thyroid function abnormalities have been associated with psychiatric symptoms. This study examines the utility of thyroid screening among adolescent psychiatric inpatients.
Method:
A retrospective chart review of 196 first-time admissions to an adolescent psychiatric unit was conducted. Charts were screened for demographics, presence/absence of thyroid function testing, history of thyroid disease, medication/illicit substance use, and other factors of influence on thyroid testing. Thyroid test results were reviewed for abnormalities.
Results:
Thyroid function testing was conducted in 150 of the 196 admissions. Fifty-two patients had abnormalities, most of which were isolated abnormalities of thyroxine (T4) or triiodothyronine uptake (T3U). Laboratory diagnosis of hyperthyroidism and mild hypothyroidism was met by two and eight patients, respectively; five had profiles that were normal upon subsequent testing 1 week later. None of the patients was symptomatic, and none required thyroid supplementation or antithyroid medications. Gender differences in T4 and T3U were noted, and age was positively correlated with T3U.
Conclusions:
Thyroid function tests may be spuriously abnormal in routine screening of newly admitted psychiatric patients. Routine thyroid screening among adolescent psychiatric inpatients is unwarranted except in patients who display physical signs or symptoms suggestive of thyroid disease.
