Screening for thyroid dysfunction with free T4 instead of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) improves efficiency in older adults in primary care.

ABSTRACT: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCHT) is defined as a consistently elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) with a free T4 (fT4) within the reference range. This diagnosis may lead to additional monitoring, levothyroxine therapy and increased patient concerns, despite lack of evidence of treatment benefit in older adults. In order to avoid this diagnosis, we evaluated the efficiency of fT4-based screening for thyroid dysfunction, in older adults in primary care and compared it with TSH-based screening. Individuals aged >65years in primary care were selected for this retrospective study when both TSH and fT4 were individually requested irrespective of the TSH value. Exclusion criteria were C-reactive protein > 10 mg/l or a history of thyroid hormone monitoring in the previous year. Screening

SUBMITTER: Bosma M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9521794 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature