Contribution of ultrasensitive TSH to thyroid pathology

The authors evaluate the contribution of the ultrasensitive thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) immunoradiometric assay technique to thyroid pathology. They studied 547 patients over a period of two years (1986-1987). These patients were mostly from regions where goitre is endemic. They underwent clinical examination and scintigraphic tests, and their hormone levels were determined (total T4 and TSH). Ultrasensitive TSH was found to give very good results in cases of clinically unequivocal and in equivocal hypothyroidism. In cases of hyperthyroidism such exceptionally good results were noted only in cases where toxic nodules were present. In Basedow's disease the performance of ultrasensitive TSH was close to that of T4. In cases of equivocal hyperthyroidism, ultrasensitive TSH does not make it possible to dispense with the TRH test. (author). 7 refs, 5 tabs