Screening thyrometabolic disorders using total serum thyroxine level. 1976

R N Walmsley, and J Penhaligon

The results of in-vitro thyroid function tests and clinical details of 1,517 patients are reviewed, and the total serum thyroxine levels and the free thyroxine indices are compared in terms of their diagnostic value. Only 3-7% of the patients investigated had a total serum thyroxine level (T4) that did not correlate with the free thyroxine index. We believe that the evidence is strong enough to suggest that estimation of the T4 is an adequate screening test for thyrometabolic disease, and that performing the extra test (T3 resin uptake) in order to estimate the free thyroxine index (FTI) cannot be justified in terms of cost-benefit. We suggest that the FTI is indicated only in those cases in which the T4 is outside the 80% limit range. A simple scheme for the investigation of thyrometabolic disorders is presented.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006980 Hyperthyroidism Hypersecretion of THYROID HORMONES from the THYROID GLAND. Elevated levels of thyroid hormones increase BASAL METABOLIC RATE. Hyperthyroid,Primary Hyperthyroidism,Hyperthyroidism, Primary,Hyperthyroids
D007037 Hypothyroidism A syndrome that results from abnormally low secretion of THYROID HORMONES from the THYROID GLAND, leading to a decrease in BASAL METABOLIC RATE. In its most severe form, there is accumulation of MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDES in the SKIN and EDEMA, known as MYXEDEMA. It may be primary or secondary due to other pituitary disease, or hypothalamic dysfunction. Central Hypothyroidism,Primary Hypothyroidism,Secondary Hypothyroidism,TSH Deficiency,Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Deficiency,Central Hypothyroidisms,Deficiency, TSH,Deficiency, Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone,Hormone Deficiency, Thyroid-Stimulating,Hypothyroidism, Central,Hypothyroidism, Primary,Hypothyroidism, Secondary,Hypothyroidisms,Primary Hypothyroidisms,Secondary Hypothyroidisms,TSH Deficiencies,Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Deficiency,Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Deficiencies
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013959 Thyroid Diseases Pathological processes involving the THYROID GLAND. Disease, Thyroid,Diseases, Thyroid,Thyroid Disease
D013960 Thyroid Function Tests Blood tests used to evaluate the functioning of the thyroid gland. Jostel's TSH Index,Jostel's Thyrotropin Index,Protein-Bound Iodine Test,SPINA-GD,SPINA-GT,Secretory Capacity of the Thyroid Gland,Sum Activity of Peripheral Deiodinases,Thyrotroph Thyroid Hormone Sensitivity Index,Thyroid Gland Function Tests,Function Test, Thyroid,Iodine Test, Protein-Bound,Jostel TSH Index,Jostel Thyrotropin Index,Jostel's TSH Indices,Jostels TSH Index,Jostels Thyrotropin Index,Protein Bound Iodine Test,Protein-Bound Iodine Tests,TSH Index, Jostel's,Test, Protein-Bound Iodine,Test, Thyroid Function,Thyroid Function Test,Thyrotropin Index, Jostel's
D013974 Thyroxine The major hormone derived from the thyroid gland. Thyroxine is synthesized via the iodination of tyrosines (MONOIODOTYROSINE) and the coupling of iodotyrosines (DIIODOTYROSINE) in the THYROGLOBULIN. Thyroxine is released from thyroglobulin by proteolysis and secreted into the blood. Thyroxine is peripherally deiodinated to form TRIIODOTHYRONINE which exerts a broad spectrum of stimulatory effects on cell metabolism. L-Thyroxine,Levothyroxine,T4 Thyroid Hormone,3,5,3',5'-Tetraiodothyronine,Berlthyrox,Dexnon,Eferox,Eltroxin,Eltroxine,Euthyrox,Eutirox,L-3,5,3',5'-Tetraiodothyronine,L-Thyrox,L-Thyroxin Henning,L-Thyroxin beta,L-Thyroxine Roche,Levo-T,Levothroid,Levothyroid,Levothyroxin Deladande,Levothyroxin Delalande,Levothyroxine Sodium,Levoxine,Levoxyl,Lévothyrox,Novothyral,Novothyrox,O-(4-Hydroxy-3,5-diiodophenyl) 3,5-diiodo-L-tyrosine,O-(4-Hydroxy-3,5-diiodophenyl)-3,5-diiodotyrosine,Oroxine,Sodium Levothyroxine,Synthroid,Synthrox,Thevier,Thyrax,Thyroxin,Tiroidine,Tiroxina Leo,Unithroid,L Thyrox,L Thyroxin Henning,L Thyroxin beta,L Thyroxine,L Thyroxine Roche,Levo T,Thyroid Hormone, T4
D014284 Triiodothyronine A T3 thyroid hormone normally synthesized and secreted by the thyroid gland in much smaller quantities than thyroxine (T4). Most T3 is derived from peripheral monodeiodination of T4 at the 5' position of the outer ring of the iodothyronine nucleus. The hormone finally delivered and used by the tissues is mainly T3. Liothyronine,T3 Thyroid Hormone,3,3',5-Triiodothyronine,Cytomel,Liothyronine Sodium,Thyroid Hormone, T3

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