Free Thyroxine Distinguishes Subclinical Hypothyroidism From Other Aging-Related Changes in Those With Isolated Elevated Thyrotropin.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although a finding of isolated elevated thyrotropin (TSH) often leads to treatment with thyroid hormone, it is not specific to a diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism, particularly in older adults. We have previously used longitudinal assessment of TSH and free thyroxine (FT4) to distinguish primary and secondary changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, an approach which is impractical for clinical diagnosis.

Objective

Identify contemporaneous clinical tests and criteria that predict the longitudinally-derived HPT axis phenotype in those with isolated elevated TSH.

Methods

Using data from Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, participants with over three years of follow up not on thyroid hormone replacement, with a TSH above the referenc

SUBMITTER: Abbey EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8931280 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature